🇺🇸 Key West, United States — Cruise Port Guide
America's southernmost island city — pastel conch cottages, Hemingway's six-toed cats, and a sunset celebration every evening on Mallory Square.
Updated September 2026
Quick facts
Getting ashore
When to visit Key West
Winter through spring (December-April) is most pleasant with lower humidity; hurricane season runs June to November, peaking August-October.
Getting back to the ship on time
It's easy to lose track of time in Old Town's bars and one-way grid, and US-1 traffic returning from the Lower Keys can back up, so independent excursion-goers should watch the clock closely.
All-aboard is ship's time — check it in the daily programme, and set your watch to it.
Things to do in Key West
Hemingway Home & Museum
Tour the writer's Spanish-colonial house and meet the cats.
Duval Street stroll
Window-shop galleries, grab a café con leche, people-watch.
Southernmost Point buoy
Snap the classic photo 90 miles from Cuba.
Conch Train tour
Narrated loop past the island's historic highlights.
Reef snorkel trip
Sail to North America's only living coral barrier reef.
Key lime pie tasting
Compare slices at the island's rival pie shops.
Popular excursions
Hemingway Home & Southernmost Point
Six-toed cats, the writer's studio and the 90-miles-to-Cuba buoy.
What to eat
- Key lime pie
- Conch fritters
- Cuban sandwich
- Key West pink shrimp
- Fish tacos
Weather by month
Best time to visit: Dec–Apr (dry season)
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 75° | 65° | 2.2" |
| Feb | 76° | 66° | 1.5" |
| Mar | 79° | 69° | 1.9" |
| Apr | 82° | 72° | 2.1" |
| May | 86° | 76° | 3.5" |
| Jun | 89° | 79° | 4.4" |
| Jul | 90° | 80° | 3.5" |
| Aug | 91° | 80° | 5.4" |
| Sep | 89° | 79° | 5.8" |
| Oct | 85° | 76° | 4.3" |
| Nov | 80° | 71° | 2.6" |
| Dec | 77° | 67° | 2.1" |
Local phrases
A little history
In 1982 Key West jokingly 'seceded' as the Conch Republic — the flag still flies everywhere.
Descendants of Hemingway's six-toed cats still roam his house and garden.
Key lime pie is taken seriously: authentic versions are yellow, never green.
The island is closer to Havana (about 90 miles) than to Miami.