If you are looking for the warmest places in Florida in December and January, then you are in the right place.
Florida is known as the Sunshine State, and its perfect all-year-round warm weather is the perfect getaway during those cold winter months, especially December and January. However, there are so many war, winter destinations in Florida, which ones do you choose?
Whether you’re craving palm-fringed beaches, vibrant city life, or tranquil natural beauty, there is a perfect idyllic winter escape in Florida. Without further ado, here are 13 of the warmest places in Florida in December and January!
So pack your sunblock and flip-flops, and get ready to discover Florida’s hotspots that remain warm even when the rest of the country is shivering in the cold.
What Are The Warmest Places and Beaches In Florida In December and January?
1. Key West
- Average temperature in December: 77 F high, 70 F low
- Average temperature in January: 75 F high, 64 F low
Thanks to Key West’s unique location as the most southern city in the country, this sought-after Florida Keys destination remains one of the hottest places in the U.S. in December!
With an inimitable laidback island vibe, fun party atmosphere, and great year-round weather, Key West is one of the best places to visit in Florida in December and January. During these months, temperatures sit at an average of 80 Fahrenheit!
But Key West is known for more than just its great weather. There are plenty of fun activities to fill your days here during December and January.
Why not try out snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of Smathers Beach or try your hand at more adrenalin-pumping activities like kayaking or parasailing at one of the city’s best beaches?
And if you love to party, you’ve come to the right spot – in December and January, Duval Street is the center of the party scene in Key West as it’s lined with heaps of great bars and restaurants.
We recommend doing a bar crawl here or, as the locals call it, the “Duval Crawl,” finishing up at Mallory Square for the daily sunset celebration!
📚 Read More: Pros and Cons of Visiting Key West
2. Fort Myers
- Average temperature in December: 77 F high, 57 F low
- Average temperature in January: 75 F high, 53 F low
Fort Myers, nestled along the Gulf Coast, is one of the warmest beaches in Florida in January, with temperatures soaring to 80 Fahrenheit! In fact, the most popular time of year to visit this quaint Florida beach town is during the winter months.
The best thing about visiting Fort Myers in December and January is not just the awesome beach weather (although that’s a big bonus) but the abundance of awesome winter activities on offer. If you’re a history buff, you can visit the homes of Henry Ford and Thomas Eddison, or if you love quirky towns, check out the artsy Matlacha a 30-minute drive away.
Fort Myers Beach is, of course, the main attraction here – this long stretch of white sand is one of the best fishing spots in the state, and parasailing is also popular here.
Within easy reach of Fort Myers are Captiva Island and Sanibel Island, which make for a great day trip as both boast pristine sand and a laid-back vibe. They’re two of the best Florida beaches in December, in our opinion!
If you plan to visit Fort Myers during the holidays, lucky you, as many fun events are happening at this time. From the Christmas Boat Parades to the Sand Sculpting Championships held on Fort Myers Beach!
3. Miami
- Average temperature in December: 75 F high, 66 F low
- Average temperature in January: 73 F high, 62 F low
Miami, aka Florida’s most famous playground, is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in the U.S. in January, with temperatures reaching as high as 73 Fahrenheit.
Miami’s beating heart is South Beach, a popular celebrity hangout spot and one of the most stunning beaches on the Atlantic Coast. Even in January, this Miami beach is busy! Beach lovers can go snorkeling in the clear water, rent a jet ski, or hop on a sunset cruise.
And if you’re a fishing fan, choose from one of the many deep-sea fishing charters on offer. Or, if you’d prefer not to get wet, go shopping on nearby Ocean Drive, a bustling street renowned for its well-preserved art deco architecture and excellent outdoor cafes!
Not forgetting that Miami is the party capital of Florida, so when night falls, check out this city’s iconic nightlife!
Read More: What Is Miami Known For?
4. Orlando
- Average temperature in December: 73 F high, 53 F low
- Average temperature in January: 71 F high, 52 F low
As one of the warmest places to visit in Florida in December, with average daily highs of 73 Fahrenheit, and as the home to the incredible Disney World – Orlando in Central Florida remains one of the most popular winter vacation spots in Florida!
Plus, you’ll beat the crowds by visiting Disney World in December, as it’s their low season. Yep, shorter queue times mean you can pack your day with lots of thrilling rides!
But Disney World isn’t the only thing Orlando has going for it. December in Orlando is a festive treat – you can check out the stunning festive light display downtown, including a whopping 72-foot Christmas Tree, or head to the famed “Dazzling Nights” display at the Harry P. Leu Gardens, which boasts over a million dazzling lights!
Because Orlando is landlocked, there’s no beach here, but if you really want some beach time, you can visit Cocoa Beach or Crescent Beach, two of the most beautiful beaches in the state.
5. Tampa
- Average temperature in December: 73 F high, 53 F low
- Average temperature in January: 69 F high, 51 F low
Tampa is a gorgeous city year-round, but in December, she truly shines. With temperatures sitting at a cozy 73 Fahrenheit and plenty of festive activities on offer, it’s no wonder this city’s popularity is soaring over the holidays.
If you’re visiting Tampa in December, be sure to check out the family-friendly Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, a gorgeous winter wonderland with delicious food and awesome light displays that are sure to please all your senses!
More fun for all the family can be enjoyed at ZooTampa, home to many unique animals like a white rhino, a giant tortoise, and a manatee. And in December, it boasts one of the biggest light displays in Tampa.
While back in downtown Tampa, set aside a few hours for wandering the scenic Riverwalk and spend an evening in historic Ybor City, home to some of the best restaurants and bars this side of Florida!
Read More: What Is Tampa Famous For?
6. Everglades National Park
- Average temperature in December: 79 F high, 63 F low
- Average temperature in January: 77 F high, 57 F low
December and January are, in fact, the best and most popular months to visit the 1.5 million-acre Everglades National Park; that’s because this time of year offers low humidity, fewer bugs, and drier weather, with temperatures reaching as high as 79 Fahrenheit in December and 77 Fahrenheit in January.
This favorable weather also means higher chances of spotting wildlife like alligators, Florida panthers, manatees, and endangered leatherback turtles. As well as birds like the wood stork and spoonbill.
One of the best things to do in the Everglades in December and January is to hop on an airboat to search for wildlife. Another must-do is to drive the famed Tamiami Trail, a scenic tourist route that stretches from the Everglades to Fort Myers and across to Miami.
7. West Palm Beach
- Average temperature in December: 78 F high, 61 F low
- Average temperature in January: 77 F high, 55 F low
For those who prefer their winter vacation spot to have more of a city feel, look no further than West Palm Beach on the east coast. Boasting highs of 77 Fahrenheit at the start of the year, this South Florida city is easily one of the warmest places in Florida in January.
Easily confused with nearby Palm Beach, West Palm Beach offers great shopping at Clematis Street and CityPlace, as well as plenty of golf courses and luxury hotels. Art lovers will be in heaven at the Norton Museum of Art here, which displays European, American, and Chinese artworks.
The only downside is there’s no beach here, but if it’s fine sand and clear waters, you can easily head over to Palm Beach or Juno Beach Park for a couple of hours.
8. Naples
- Average temperature in December: 77 F high, 59 F low
- Average temperature in January: 75 F high, 55 F low
Situated on the aptly named Paradise Coast, the city of Naples is the perfect place to get away from it all. It’s especially ideal for a winter break seeing as this section of the Gulf Coast is one of the warmest places in Florida in January!
So, if highs of 75 Fahrenheit, luxury hotels, and over 700 restaurants sound like your idea of paradise, you’ll never want to leave Naples.
Widely regarded as one of the most upmarket cities in Florida, Naples attracts a mostly high-end crowd. And with plenty of luxurious spas and a glorious white sandy beach, we can’t think of a better spot than Naples to escape the winter blues!
Plus, under a 20-minute drive away is Delnor Wiggins State Park – home to Wiggins State Park Beach, one of the most pristine sand beaches in the world!
9. St. Petersburg
- Average temperature in December: 70 F high, 54 F low
- Average temperature in January: 72 F high, 57 F low
Nicknamed the ‘sunshine city’ thanks to its warm climate and high number of sunny days, St Petersburg is one of the most popular tourist spots in the state. It’s also one of the warmest places in Florida in January, averaging 68 Fahrenheit daily.
Part of the greater Tampa Bay area, this sunny city is home to some of the warmest beaches in Florida, like the aptly named Clearwater Beach and Sunset Beach. You can also easily visit the lovely state park beach at Caladesi Island State Park from Clearwater Beach.
The famed Salvador Dali Museum also calls St. Petersburg home, and it houses the world’s second-largest collection of Dali’s art.
Other noteworthy things to do in St Petersburg in December and January include wandering the beautiful Sunken Gardens, which hosts an amazing collection of rare flowers and plants, and visiting the Museum of Fine Arts, which has over 20,000 artworks on display!
10. Marco Island
- Average temperature in December: 78 F high, 56 F low
- Average temperature in January: 73 F high, 53 F low
Marco Island is another awesome place to escape the winter blues, with temperatures here hovering around 75 Fahrenheit in January and 78 Fahrenheit in December.
Seeing as it’s only 15 minutes from Naples, you can easily combine both destinations making for an epic winter beach vacation! Marco Island is quieter than its more famous neighbor but still offers a fantastic dining scene, plenty of luxury resorts, and golf courses.
The best thing to do here during the winter months is to have a beach day, and you can choose from the long white sand beach that lines the west coast of the city or Tigertail Beach Park, which boasts a tidal lagoon and is a popular spot for paddleboarding and kayaking.
11. Fort Lauderdale
- Average temperature in December: 78 F high, 64 F low
- Average temperature in January: 76 F high, 59 F low
With average highs of 76 Fahrenheit during January, the tourist haven of Fort Lauderdale is another great option if you’re looking to escape the cold. With an easy-to-access airport and affordable flights from many parts of the the world, it is one of the best warm places to visit in the winter in the United States.
Its wide stretch of white sand is perfect for beach volleyball or watersports, such as paddleboarding or kayaking. Plus, it’s close enough to Miami that you can easily combine both cities, making for a seriously unforgettable January beach vacation!
But Fort Lauderdale is more than just sandy beaches! Walk along Las Olas Blvd and admire its many luxury stores, and afterward, dine alfresco at one of the excellent eateries here.
12. Hollywood
- Average temperature in December: 78 F high, 61 F low
- Average temperature in January: 76 F high, 58 F low
Not to be confused with California’s most famous area, what Hollywood in Florida lacks in celebrities, it makes up for with awesome year-round weather and some of the warmest beaches in Florida. In December, daily highs sit at 78 Fahrenheit, and in December, you can expect highs of 76 Fahrenheit – which sounds pretty perfect to us!
Hollywood is home to the best beach boardwalk in the U.S. – yes, Hollywood Beach Boardwalk stretches 2.5 miles along the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the city’s top attractions.
This is definitely an outdoorsy community with plenty of parks and walking trails, and if you’re looking for some family-friendly fun in Hollywood, be sure to check out the Anne Kolb Nature Center, as it features mangrove trails and an aquarium.
13. Lakeland
- Average temperature in December: 73 F high, 54 F low
- Average temperature in January: 71 F high, 51 F low
Lakeland is known as the winter haven area of Florida, thanks to its year-round warm weather and minimal rainfall. This lesser-known city is a bit of a hidden gem, but it’s gaining traction as one of the top beach destinations in Florida. In December, temperatures can soar to 73 Fahrenheit, while in January, daily highs can be upwards of 71 Fahrenheit.
Would you believe there are 38 named lakes and plenty more unnamed lakes in this area? But there’s also fun to be had on dry land here – like hiking at Lake Mirror Park or admiring the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. The other big-hitting attraction in Lakeland is Legoland, Florida, which the kids will surely enjoy!
The Sunshine State is an obvious choice when picking a beach vacation spot in winter, and now after reading about 13 of the warmest places in Florida in December and January, you can decide exactly what area in Florida is right for you.
Map of The Warmest Places In Florida In December And January
Warmest Beaches In Florida In Winter FAQs
Is Florida Warm in the Winter?
Florida is known for its warm weather during the winter months. The winter days are typically sunny and warm, but nights are a bit cooler. The average high temperatures during the winter months range from 62°F to 76°F (17-25°C).
Are the Beaches Warm in Florida in December and January?
The beaches in Florida are generally warm in December and January. Key West, for instance, is known as one of the warmest Florida beaches in December. Other warm beaches during these months include Caladesi Island State Park, Delnor Wiggins State Park Beach, Grayton Beach State Park, and Tigertail Beach.
Is it Warm Enough to Swim in Florida in December and January?
Yes, it is usually warm enough to swim in Florida in December and January. The water temperature in Florida in December and January can reach up to 84°F at most and averages around 82°F.
Is it a Good Time to Go to Florida in December and January?
December and January can be a great time to visit Florida. During this time, the temperatures are still warm and humidity is lower. Visitors can still enjoy the beaches and the plentiful sunshine that the state of Florida is known for. However, it’s important to note that these months can also be quite popular with tourists, so you might experience larger crowds and higher prices.
Final Thoughts: Warmest Places In Florida In January and December
While the sunshine state of Florida is known for its warm weather, there are certain places in the state that are warmer than others in December and January. Generally speaking, the destinations and beaches located near the southern parts of the states are warmer and offer better chances to escape the cold winter weather.
We hope our guide of the 13 warmest places in Florida in December and January have helped you decide where you are going next for your winter getaway!
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