👉 Jump to:Best Time to Visit Fort Lauderdale | Travel Seasons | Weather & Climate | FAQ
The prime period to visit Fort Lauderdale, Florida is the spring months from March to May when temperatures are milder and rain is less common
Though the year-round subtropical climate means Fort Lauderdale’s fun attractions can be experienced year-round.
And after spending a few years living here, I’ve come to understand both the benefits and drawbacks of Fort Lauderdale`s weather patterns. Truthfully, balancing all the factors involved is no simple task. Some seasons bring more heat while others more cold. Expenses also fluctuate between higher and lower periods.
Everyone has different preferences, so scroll below to discover the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale based on your needs!
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When is the Best Time to Visit Fort Lauderdale?
Spring provides the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale with warm temperatures and sunny skies. Because of this, spring also represents peak tourist season, and the pricing reflects the influx of large crowds.
Other months throughout the year experience lower pricing and smaller crowds, though come with disadvantages regarding weather in Fort Lauderdale. As such, balancing advantages and drawbacks becomes necessary. Fortunately, essentially all of Fort Lauderdale’s attractions can be enjoyed throughout the year.
When to Visit Fort Lauderdale for Good Weather
It can be difficult to define the optimum duration to visit Maui for favorable weather as the conditions appear to be beautiful throughout the year. However, if required to select a period, the spring season – from late February to May – commonly experiences perfect conditions for those seeking an escape from winter weather in northern regions.
Average temperatures tend to not be overwhelmingly hot and our sporadic cold fronts of winter have stopped occurring. Consequently, with a moderate average temperature, low relative humidity, and minimal rainfall, the early spring is an ideal time for the finest weather in Fort Lauderdale.
☀️ More Florida Sightseeing: Our article key attractions to visit in Florida can aid in planning an entire trip to the Sunshine State.
When to Visit Fort Lauderdale on a Budget
Spring break is the most expensive time to visit Fort Lauderdale. In contrast, fall tends to be the most affordable season.
Fort Lauderdale begins its hurricane season in late summer, right when summer break has ended and students return to school. This combination reduces the costs of flights and accommodation in Fort Lauderdale.
However, temperatures remain high and the rainy season reaches its apex with September being the rainiest and October the most humid. Yes, it’s a gamble, but if hurricanes stay away, travel plans are potentially less expensive.
When to Visit Fort Lauderdale for Boating and Scuba Diving
Boating and scuba diving are amongst the most popular activities in Fort Lauderdale. Surely, warmth and beneficial climate are significant to both, but it’s not the single most critical factor. Rather, it’s the breeze.
While the wet season has started, our mornings in the summer months (June, July, & August) are usually calm, dry, and mild with a slight breeze (if any). This makes for excellent experiences on boat tours, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Fort Lauderdale Travel Seasons
Visiting Fort Lauderdale in the Spring
Late February – Mid May
- 📚 Spring Break Season – college students from across the country flock to Fort Lauderdale for pleasant Florida climate in late February and early March. Las Olas Beach, among the top beaches in Fort Lauderdale, is crammed with revelers. I don’t advise families with young children to visit during this time.
- 🧒 Primary School Spring Break – With the college students long gone, the atmosphere in late March into April is much more appropriate for a wholesome family vacation.
- ☀️ Least Humid Month – April is the last month of the dry season, thus the least humid and most popular time to come to Fort Lauderdale. Temperatures are still moderate before heating up in May.
- 🎵 Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival – a portion of donations from this 3-day, open-air country music event on Fort Lauderdale Beach supports marine conservation efforts throughout Florida. The annual festival normally takes place in mid-April.
Visiting Fort Lauderdale in the Summer
Mid-May – Early September
- 🐢 Sea Turtle Nesting Season – the summer months are busy with sea turtles depositing their eggs at night on the shores of Florida’s east coast. During the day, it’s not uncommon to discover a sleepy turtle taking a rest in the offshore coral reefs.
- 🌅 Calm Seas – winds in the morning typically reduce to a gentle breeze making summer an excellent time of year for boating in the Venice of America.
- 💧 Wet Season – South Florida’s rainy period begins in May and continues all summer. Afternoon showers occur daily, sometimes brief 10 minutes durations, other times longer.
- 🌡️ Temperatures Rising – high temperatures in July, August, and September require lightweight clothing and a cooling swim in the ocean to beat the heat. The average maximum temperature in August, the hottest month, is around 87° F. However, the heat index regularly climbs over 100°F by midday.
🌦️ Escape Poor Weather: Renting a vehicle is a good way to avoid the elements during summer, whether it’s rain or heat. Discover Cars is our preferred site to locate the best deals on a car rental.
Visiting Fort Lauderdale in the Fall
September – December
- 🌀 Hurricane Season – low cost flights in September, October, and November due to peak periods for hurricanes make autumn the most affordable time to visit. However, there is a chance a hurricane may approach the city.
- 🧑🤝🧑 Minimal Crowds – because of back-to-school + the threat of hurricanes, crowds are much lighter in the fall. If you happen to avoid the storms, you might just have the beach to yourself.
- 🚤 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show – Fort Lauderdale is nicknamed the Yachting Capital of the World for good reason. Every autumn (typically October), tens of billions of dollars worth of boats move into town for five days as the wealthy and famous purchase their next floating assets.
🛎️ Find Accommodations:Browse Hotels in Fort Lauderdale to discover the best lodging deals.
Visiting Fort Lauderdale in the Winter
From late December to late February
- ☁️ Dry Season – the dry season starts in November and lasts throughout winter. Rain usually holds off, creating dry conditions and moderate temperatures for a holiday trip in December.
- 🌡️ Cold Fronts – While the average high is in the mid-70s, cooler patterns do move in, particularly in January. For brief periods, winds shift northward bringing cooler temperatures for a few days at a time.
- ❄️ Snowbird Season – Snowbird season genuinely exists in Florida. Retired individuals from northern regions flock to the finest areas in Florida in large numbers for faultless weather starting in December and January.
Climate and Weather in Fort Lauderdale
- ☀️ The average yearly temperature in Fort Lauderdale is 75.6° F, making the city a year-round tropical destination.
- 🌊 Ocean temperatures constantly remain warm between 75° and 85°F. This is because of the Gulf Stream, a major ocean current transferring warm blue water from the Gulf of Mexico to Europe, passing just offshore of Fort Lauderdale Beach.
- ☔ Periodic rainfall regularly occurs each afternoon during the wet season, spanning mid-May through early October.
FAQs About When to Visit Fort Lauderdale
What is the rainiest month in Fort Lauderdale?
On average, September sees the most rainfall in Fort Lauderdale.
Is June a good month to visit Fort Lauderdale?
June is the best month to visit Fort Lauderdale in the warm season. Sure, it’s the beginning of the rainy period but the temperature isn’t as scorching as the remainder of summer.
Is October a good time to visit Fort Lauderdale?
October presents a good time to visit Fort Lauderdale with the world’s largest International Boat Show occurring at the end of the month. Aside from the boat show and its surrounding dates, crowds in October tend to be minimal, flights are cheaper, and hotel prices are lower.
Is Fort Lauderdale expensive to visit?
Fort Lauderdale often has higher price tags than other well-known beach areas in Florida. The magnificent shorelines, typically warm atmosphere, luxurious way of living, and waterfront resorts all impact costs. However, it is possible to visit Fort Lauderdale for less during the off-peak season.
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I hope you were able to pinpoint when exactly you’re going to go to Fort Lauderdale on your upcoming vacation! Be sure to also examine my best excursions from Fort Lauderdale guide to discover other tropical locations within easy reach.
