The Best Time to Visit Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2023

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The best time to visit Fort Lauderdale, Florida is the spring months between March and May when the temperature isn’t exceedingly hot and the rain typically holds off.

Although with its year-round subtropical climate, it’s never a bad time to visit and enjoy all of Fort Lauderdale’s fun attractions.

And after living here for a few years, I’ve come to know the best and worst of Fort Lauderdale weather. And honestly, it is a balancing act filled with pros, cons, and trade-offs. Some seasons are hotter, some colder. Some are cheaper, some are more expensive.

Everyone’s different, so scroll below and discover when the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale is for you!

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When is the Best Time to Visit Fort Lauderdale?

Springtime is the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale with warm temperatures and sunny skies. As such, spring also doubles as peak tourist season and the prices reflect the influx of crowds.

Other months in the year see lower prices and fewer crowds, yet come with their trade-offs in terms of weather in Fort Lauderdale. So naturally, it becomes a balancing act. Fortunately, essentially all of the top Fort Lauderdale attractions can be visited year around. 

When to Visit Fort Lauderdale for Good Weather

It’s hard to define the best time to visit for good weather when the weather is seemingly always beautiful year-round. But if I had to, the spring season – the end of February through May – typically emits perfect weather for those seeking an escape from the winter weather up north.

Average temperatures tend to be not overwhelmingly hot and our occasional cold fronts of the winter have ceased to exist. Consequently, with a moderate average temperature, low relative humidity, and minimal rainfall, the early spring is an ideal time for the best Fort Lauderdale weather.

☀️ More of Florida: Explore our article, best things to do in Florida, to plan out an entire itinerary to the Sunshine State.

When to Visit Fort Lauderdale on a Budget

Keep in mind, spring break is the most expensive time of year to travel to Fort Lauderdale. Conversely, the fall season happens to be the cheapest.

Fort Lauderdale begins its hurricane season in late August, right when summer break has ended and students return to school. The combination lowers the prices of flights and Fort Lauderdale accommodations.

However, temperatures remain high and the rainy season reaches its peak with September being the rainiest and October the most humid. Yes, it’s a roll of the dice, but if hurricanes stay away, travel plans are potentially cheaper.

When to Visit Fort Lauderdale for Boating and Scuba Diving

Boating and scuba diving are amongst the most popular activities in Fort Lauderdale. Sure, sun and pleasant weather are important to both, but it’s not the most important. Rather, it’s the wind.

Although the rainy season has begun, our mornings in the summer (June, July, & August) are typically calm, dry, and cool with a slight breeze (if any at all). This makes for excellent boat tour experiences, snorkeling, and diving conditions.

Fort Lauderdale Travel Seasons

Visiting Fort Lauderdale in the Spring

Late February – Mid May

• 📚 College Spring Break – college students around the country flock to Fort Lauderdale for warm Florida weather in late February and early March. Las Olas Beach, one of the best beaches in Fort Lauderdale, is packed to the brim with partygoers. I don’t recommend families with small children visit during this time.
• 🧒 Grade School Spring Break – With the college kids long gone, the environment in late March into April is much more conducive 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 proceeds of this 3-day, an outdoor country music festival on Fort Lauderdale Beach go towards marine conservation efforts throughout Florida. The festival occurs annually in the middle of April.

Visiting Fort Lauderdale in the Summer

Late May – Early September

• 🐢 Sea Turtle Nesting Season – the summer months are busy with sea turtles laying 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.
• 🌅 Flat Seas – winds in the morning typically reduce to a light breeze making summer an excellent time of year for boating in the Venice of America.
• 💧 Rainy Season – South Florida’s rainy season begins in May and lasts throughout the summer. Afternoon showers occur daily, sometimes for 10 minutes, other times for longer. Mornings typically stay dry and beautiful.
• 🌡️ Sweltering Temperatures – high temperatures in July, August, and September require light clothing and a refreshing swim in the ocean to beat the heat. The average high temperature in August, the hottest month of the year, is 87° F. However, the heat index often climbs over 100°F by midday.

🌦️ Beat the Rain & Heat: Renting a car is a great way to escape the elements during the summer, whether it’s rain or sun. Discover Cars is our favorite site to find the best deals on a car rental.

Visiting Fort Lauderdale in the Fall

September – December

• 🌀 Hurricane Season – cheap flights in September, October, and November due to peak hurricane season make fall the most affordable time to visit. However, it’s a roll of the dice whether or not a hurricane nears 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 has a nickname of the Yachting Capital of the World for a reason. Every October, tens of billions of dollars worth of boats move into town for five days as the rich and famous purchase their next floating toy.

🛎️ Find a Place to Stay: Browse Booking Hotels in Fort Lauderdale to find the best deals on accommodation.

Visiting Fort Lauderdale in the Winter

Late December – Late February

• ☁️ Dry Season – dry season begins in November and lasts throughout the winter. Rain typically holds off, making for dry conditions and moderate temperatures for a holiday vacation in December.
• 🌡️ Cold Fronts – although our average high temperature is in the mid-70s, colder fronts do blow in, particularly in the month of January. For a few days at a time, winds shift to the north and bring in a cooler temperature.
• ❄️ Snowbird Season – Snowbird season is a real thing in Florida. Retired folks from the north flock to the best places in Florida in droves for perfect weather beginning in December and January.

Climate and Weather in Fort Lauderdale

• ☀️ The average annual temperature in Fort Lauderdale is 75.6° F, making the city a year-round tropical destination.
• 🌊 Ocean temperatures are always warm between 75° and 85°F. This is due to the Gulf Stream, a major ocean current carrying warm blue water from the Gulf of Mexico to Europe, passing just offshore of Fort Lauderdale Beach.
• ☔ Afternoon showers occur daily during the wet season, between mid-May and early October.

FAQs About When to Visit Fort Lauderdale

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I hope you were able to pinpoint when exactly you’re going to go to Fort Lauderdale on your next vacation! Be sure to also check out my best day trips from Fort Lauderdale guide to see other tropical destinations within striking distance.