Page last updated: 17 December 2024
The Florida Keys, a chain of islands stretching over 120 miles, are recognised for their diverse attractions.
Key West stands out as one of the most visited destinations, attracting millions of visitors annually.
What are the 7 keys in Florida?
- Key Largo – Known for John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and opportunities for snorkelling and diving.
- Islamorada – Referred to as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World,” offering activities such as fishing and kayaking.
- Marathon – Popular for family-friendly attractions and Sombrero Beach.
- Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys – Home to the National Key Deer Refuge and nature spots.
- Key West – Known for its historical sites, vibrant arts scene, and water-based activities.
- Sugarloaf Key – Offers a quieter environment for kayaking and paddleboarding.
- Duck Key – Known for luxury resorts like Hawks Cay and peaceful surroundings.
How many people visit the Florida Keys each year?
In 2023, over 4.45 million overnight trips were made to the Florida Keys, a decrease of 5.58% from 4.79 million in 2022. 1
- Visitors spent 20.69 million days in the area in 2023, down 7% from 22.08 million days in 2022. Key West recorded the largest share of visits.
Visitor Distribution in 2023 Across the Keys
- Key West: 46.47% (down from 47.33% in 2022)
- Key Largo: 44.7% (up from 43.98% in 2022)
- Islamorada: 38.91% (up from 38.57% in 2022)
- Marathon: 37.82% (up from 36.46% in 2022)
- Lower Keys: 32.64% (up from 30.93% in 2022)
How many tourists visit Key West each year?
Approximately 1 million tourists visit Key West annually, based on airport, cruise ship, and ferry arrivals.
- In the first quarter of 2023, Key West received 196,767 airport passengers, 156,963 cruise passengers, and 27,759 ferry passengers.
| Key West Total Passengers in the 1st Quarter of 2023 | |||
| Months | Airport | Cruise Ship | Ferry |
| January | 62,148.00 | 54,940.00 | 6,634 |
| February | 60,790.00 | 43,306.00 | 9,655 |
| March | 73,829.00 | 58,717.00 | 11,470 |
| Q1 | 196,767.00 | 156,963.00 | 27,759.00 |
- In 2022, over 1.1 million people travelled to Key West, a 32.53% increase from 2021 and an 80.33% increase from 2020 but arrivals were still 28.57% below the peak in 2019.
How many passengers arrived at Key West International Airport in 2022?
Over 658,000 passengers arrived at Key West International Airport in 2022, a 20.61% increase compared to 545,593 passengers in 2019. 2
- The highest arrivals were recorded in March 2022, with 76,965 passengers, a 10.23% increase from 69,865 arrivals in March 2019.
- December 2022 saw 73,470 passengers, a 9.03% increase from 67,470 in December 2019.
How many cruise ship passengers did Key West receive in 2022?
Over 306,445 cruise ship passengers arrived in Key West in 2022, showing recovery from 2020 and 2021, but this was still a 68.23% decrease compared to 964,795 passengers in 2019.
- March 2022 recorded the highest monthly arrivals with 22,474 passengers, compared to 77,623 in March 2019, a decrease of 71.05%.
How many ferry passengers did Key West receive in 2022?
Over 83,649 passengers arrived in Key West by ferry in 2022, a 59.06% increase from 52,647 passengers in 2021, but this was still 13.57% down compared to 96,604 passengers in 2019.
- March 2022 saw 14,496 ferry passengers, a slight decrease of 5.54% compared to 15,348 in March 2019.
How much do visitors spend in the Florida Keys each year?
Over $2.52 billion was spent by visitors in 2019, reflecting a 7% increase from $2.35 billion in 2018.
Spending Distribution in the Florida Keys (2019):
- Key West: 44% ($1.1 billion)
- Marathon: 21% ($517.18 million)
- Key Largo: 17% ($417.86 million)
- Islamorada: 12% ($291.32 million)
- Lower Keys: 8% ($191.62 million)
The average spending per visitor decreased from $459 in 2018 to $453 in 2019, even as total spending rose due to the higher number of visitors.
How much do visitors spend in Key West each year?
Over $1.1 billion was spent by visitors in Key West in 2019, representing a 0.6% increase from 2018.
- Lodging: $557.9 million (50.7% of total spending), a 1.2% increase compared to 2018.
- Food and Beverages: $248.9 million.
- Entertainment and Recreation: $149.2 million, increasing by 2.5% year-over-year.
- Transportation: $44.3 million, reflecting a 2.5% year-over-year growth.
- Retail and Shopping: $99.3 million.
Who visited the Florida Keys the most?
In 2023, most visitors were domestic travellers from the United States, with Florida residents accounting for the largest share.
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale: 24.6%
- Tampa-St. Petersburg: 6.3%
- West Palm Beach: 6.1%
- Orlando-Daytona: 6%
- Fort Myers-Naples: 3.9%
For out-of-state visitors, New York contributed the highest percentage at 3.5%, followed by Atlanta (2.4%), Philadelphia (2%), Chicago (1.8%), and Detroit (1.4%).
How long do visitors stay in the Florida Keys?
- Visitors stayed an average of 5.3 days in the Florida Keys in 2023. For hotel guests, the average stay increased to 5.9 days.
Florida Keys Travel Resources
- Car rental prices in Key West
- Car rental prices in Florida
- Car rental prices in Key West to Miami
- Car rental prices in Fort Lauderdale to Key West
Why do people go to Key West?
In 2023, 74% of visitors travelled to Key West for recreation or vacation purposes, making it the primary reason for visiting.
- Visiting family or friends: 16%
- Combining business and leisure: 8%
- Attending conventions or meetings: 1%
Economic Impact – Florida Keys & Key West Tourism Statistics
In 2019, tourism in the Florida Keys and Key West generated $2.5 billion in spending and contributed $1.9 billion in total economic impact.
- Of this, $1.4 billion came from direct contributions, $314 million from indirect contributions, and $242 million from induced impacts.
- Tourism supported 28,000 jobs, including 20,000 direct jobs, 4,700 indirect jobs, and 3,200 induced jobs.
- The total wages and proprietor income associated with tourism amounted to $1 billion.
When is the best time to visit the Florida Keys and Key West?
- The best time to visit is during the dry season (November–April) when the weather is typically warm (75°F–85°F) with minimal rainfall. This period aligns with peak tourism months and is ideal for activities like snorkelling, boating, and exploring.
- From May to October, the wet season brings higher humidity, frequent rain, and potential hurricanes. However, this season offers fewer crowds and more affordable accommodations.
Which Florida Keys are the best to visit?
- Key Largo: Best for diving and exploring the coral reefs.
- Islamorada: Great for fishing and outdoor adventure.
- Marathon: Perfect for families and beach enthusiasts.
- Key West: A must-visit destination for history, culture, and entertainment.
Florida Travel Statistics Resources
USA Travel Statistics Resources
- Arizona Statistics (incl. Grand Canyon National Park)
- California Statistics (incl. Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Universal Studios Hollywood)
- Florida Statistics (incl. Destin, Key West, Miami, Orlando, Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World)
- Hawaii Statistics (incl. Kauai, Maui, Oahu)
- Illinois Statistics (incl. Chicago)
- Louisiana Statistics (incl. New Orleans)
- Massachusetts Statistics (incl. Boston)
- Nevada Statistics (incl. Las Vegas)
- New York Statistics (incl. New York City, Statue of Liberty)
- South Dakota Statistics (incl. Mount Rushmore)
- Tennessee Statistics (incl. Memphis, Nashville)
- Texas Statistics (incl. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio)
- Utah Statistics
- Washington Statistics (incl. Seattle)
- Yellowstone National Park Statistics
