November in the Florida Keys: Events, Fishing, and Things to Do

The Short Answer

November in the Florida Keys delivers the island chain's favorite combination: summer warmth without summer crowds. Daytime highs hover near 80 degrees, overnight lows settle in the low 70s, and the water stays in the upper 70s, warm enough for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. At the same time, the month brings a full calendar of events, from Race World Offshore powerboat racing in Key West the first week to the Southernmost Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, with sailfish season, stone crab, and farmers markets in between.

What November Feels Like in the Keys

November is the hinge month between the summer crowds and the winter rush. The humidity drops, the mornings turn crisp, and the midday sun stays pleasant rather than punishing. Average highs run near 80 degrees in both Key West and Marathon, overnight lows settle in the low 70s, and ocean water holds in the upper 70s, per the Visit Florida Keys weather page. For swimmers, snorkelers, and divers, the water is still very much in season.

The visitor count is the other story. October's festivals wind down, and the December holidays have not arrived yet, so November offers a relaxed pace at marinas, restaurants, and parks across the island chain. It is also one of the best months for fishing, when the winter species start arriving on the reef.

Race World Offshore: Powerboat Racing in Key West

November opens with one of the biggest boating events of the year. Race World Offshore brings the Key West World Championship of powerboat racing to town from November 1-8, 2026, with the season finale racing on the waters off Truman Waterfront Park. The event opens with a boat parade on the afternoon of November 1 and builds through the week with dockside parties, including the Greene Street Party on November 5, before the final races decide the season champions.

For visitors, the races are a spectacle from the Key West waterfront: high-performance boats thundering past at close range, a full festival atmosphere, and the whole harbor buzzing. Race schedules and viewing information are on the Race World Offshore Key West schedule page.

Fishing in November: The Winter Season Begins

November is when the Keys fishing calendar shifts into its winter gear, and it is a great month to be on the water.

Sailfish. The winter sailfish run peaks from November through March. Boats work the reef drop-off with kite fishing and live bait, and Islamorada's nickname, the sport-fishing capital of the world, is earned on mornings like these. For the full picture, see my sailfish season guide.

Stone crab. Stone crab season opened October 15 and runs through May 1, 2027, so November means fresh claws at dockside restaurants from Key Largo to Key West. FWC regulations set a minimum claw size of 2 7/8 inches, a recreational limit of one gallon of claws per person or two gallons per vessel, and up to five traps per person. My stone crab season guide covers where to eat them and how to catch them.

Spiny lobster. The regular spiny lobster season runs August 6 through March 31, so divers and snorkelers can still target them, with a minimum carapace of three inches measured in the water.

Mullet. The famous mullet run is in its late stage in November, pushing south through the Keys, which draws predators like snook, tarpon, and sharks into the channels and passes. Charter captains across the Upper and Middle Keys are the fastest way to get on the bite, whether you want sailfish offshore, permit on the flats, or a relaxed family trip.

Farmers Markets and Local Food

The Islamorada farmers market runs every Sunday in November, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Mile Marker 81, with local growers, tropical fruit, honey, baked goods, and handcrafts. It is a relaxed way to stock up on island provisions or just wander with a coffee in hand.

Over in Key West, the Key West Oyster Fest returns November 14 at 231 Margaret Street, a benefit evening of oysters, drinks, and live music. November is also the time when stone crab claws dominate menus and the mullet run puts fresh local catch on display at fish markets across the chain.

Art, Music, and Culture

November's cultural calendar is full of low-key, walkable events:

• The Studios of Key West hosts its free First Thursday Open House on November 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, a chance to meet resident artists and see new work.
• Walk on White brings the monthly art stroll along White Street and Truman Avenue on the third Thursday, November 19, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.
• Morada Way Art Walk returns to Islamorada's arts district on November 19, when galleries, restaurants, and shops open for an evening of art and live music.
• The Key West Film Festival lands mid-month (November 11-15 in 2026), with screenings at venues including Audubon House and Tropical Gardens.
• Key West Theater keeps a steady concert calendar, including Marty Stuart on November 19, alongside local acts through the month.
• Mote's Reef Revival Fest on November 20 celebrates reef restoration and marine science to close out the month's events calendar.

Veterans Day in the Keys

The Keys honor Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11. Marathon holds a Veterans Day observance at American Legion Post 154, and across the island chain restaurants and attractions offer their own tributes. In Key West, Sunset Watersports runs its Veterans Day Week on the Water from November 7-15, and Fury Catamaran offers free boat trips for veterans on November 11. It is a meaningful way to spend the day on the water.

Thanksgiving Weekend: The Southernmost Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving in the Keys has its own tradition. The Southernmost Turkey Trot 5K and Rooster Romp starts at 8:00 AM on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, at the Southernmost Point in Key West. Hosted by Mile 0 Events in support of Reef Relief, it includes a 5K run or walk plus a one-mile Rooster Romp, with finisher medals, race T-shirts, and a post-race mimosa bar for the 21-and-over crowd, with registration through RunSignup. It is the friendliest way to earn your turkey dinner. Afterward, waterfront restaurants across the Keys serve Thanksgiving buffets and dinner menus, and sunset cruises take the holiday onto the water.

America's 250 and the Tour de Keys

November also carries a string of community celebrations tied to America's 250th anniversary, plus one of the Keys' signature charity rides:

• Founders Park, Islamorada, November 18: a patriotic celebration with the Tunnel to Towers "Never Forget" 9/11 exhibit, a U.S. Army Knights paratrooper drop, and a drone show.
• Big Pine Key Community Park, November 20: America's 250 patriotic evening programming.
• Tunnel to Towers 5K Run and Walk, Big Pine Key, November 21.
• Tour de Keys, November 21: a charity bike ride with a 100-mile route from Key Largo or a 50-mile route from Marathon, both finishing in Key West.

If you prefer wheels to water, this is the weekend to ride with hundreds of other cyclists down the island chain.

A Month to Tour the Islands

For anyone thinking about buying in the Keys, November is an ideal month to look. The weather is comfortable, traffic is lighter than in winter, and you get a real feel for island life before the peak season. Every community has its own character: Key Largo's diving and fishing scene, Islamorada's bayside village charm, Marathon's Middle Keys lifestyle, and the relaxed pace of Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys. If you are comparing communities, my location guides walk through each area, and my market report tracks what is happening with prices and inventory across the chain.

If you are selling, the fall and winter months bring serious, ready-to-move buyers, and my selling guide covers how to position a Keys property for the season. For the buying side, the buying guide walks through the practical steps from financing to closing.