Hi, Is it warm enough to go snorkling in Key West in January? If not, when would the season start...preferably without a wet suit. Thanks

I snorkeled there in early February without a wetsuit and was comfortable but not warm. I've spent a lifetime swimming in lakes and other freshwater in central (far upstate) NY state, thus my concept of cold may be colder than yours. Some folks would want to rent a light wetsuit at that time of year. Just a warning - if it's windy or has been windy for a few days just before you want to snorkel.... you may want ot save it for another time - visibility becomes very limited.

It depends on your definition of cold. In jan. the water temps will be in the low to mid 70's, (73-75)..the air temps will be somewhere between 72-82. to me those are prime swimming temps. to a Floridian those are winter parka temps.

Just go snorkeling it is great there.
Igot my scuba cert, in fla in Jan where the water temp was 70 and the air temp was 53, I survived you will too.

This last Feb we snorkled in the keys and we all wore shorty suites. The outfitter had them for us, I thought it was pretty chilly!

Thanks for the advice...sounds like we'll be wearing those cute wetsuits! Can't wait to get in the water!

They predict Jan will be unusually colder then past years. The Keys have already had a cooler then normal winter.

You will need a lot more than a shorty. It is going to be cold!

It will be very cool. You can count on the water temps being in the very low 70's. Jan is also a very windy month so visibilty will not be as good as other months.

By March most people find the water comfortable enough w/o a wetsuit.