Since PaddleAwaySports is located in Boynton Beach, which is in Palm Beach County for this blog, we are concentrating on the greater West Palm Beach area. The best time to kayak, paddle-board or snorkel the waters of West Palm Beach really comes down to personal preference. Do you like to paddle when the sun is shining and it’s super hot out or do you prefer to get out during more mild temperatures. Let’s examine the benefits vs the downfalls of paddling during the summer, fall, winter, and spring months.
We’re going to start with the summer. Summer in West Palm Beach is water sports season. Summer starts June 20th and it ends September 22nd. West Palm Beach/SoFlo is known for its inclement weather. You could have sunny blue skies first thing in the morning and find yourself caught up in a thunderstorm by afternoon, only to have it clear up again, and be gorgeous in the evening. The benefit to kayaking, paddle boarding or snorkeling over the summer months is that the wind tends to be mild, and the waters are considerably more clear than during the windier months out of the year. The downside to kayaking paddle boarding or snorkeling this time of year is the heat! Summers in West Palm Beach are humid and the water is at its warmest, but that is our water sports season.
I love the fall months for all of the above activities! Fall officially starts September 22nd and it ends on December 21st. The weather is still pretty inclement and it’s still pretty hot out for the months of September into late October, but by the time we get into November, we’re starting to get cooler temperatures and lower humidity. The only negative thing about kayaking, paddle boarding or snorkeling during these months is that the wind starts to pick up.
Winters in West Palm Beach are similar to the fall months, but it does get a little bit cooler. Winter starts on December 21st and it ends on March 20th. The only real difference between the fall and winter in West Palm Beach, is that the cold fronts are a little stronger and longer.
Spring starts on March 20th and it ends on June 20th. Spring is glorious aside from the fact that it’s still a little bit windy. We’re still getting some cold fronts pushing through during the early spring months so that’s nice. It’s a little windy, but it’s spring and summers right around the corner! Spring is mating time in South Florida so the birds are chirping, the frogs are croaking, and the fish are running! It’s a great time to be out on the water if the conditions are conducive
My personal scale for kayaking and paddle boarding is as follows. As for the wind I like it when it’s between 0 and 10 knots. When it’s between 0 knots to 5 knots (5 knots= 6 mph) it is ideal for paddle boarding and good for kayaking. Wind ranging between 6 knots and 10 knots (10 knots=12 mph) is ideal for kayaking and good for paddle boarding. Wind ranging between 11 knots and 15 knots (15 knots =18 mph) can be good for kayaking and paddle boarding if it’s on the lower end of that scale and difficult for paddle boarding ( unless it’s 6, 7 or 8 knots). Wind that is 16 kn or stronger, stronger are conditions that I typically avoid as that is is where they’re usually going to issue a small craft exercise, caution, and possibly even a small craft advisory.
So, when is MY favorite time of the year to go kayaking and paddle boarding? That would be late springtime! I love that time of year just about anywhere. I love a fall, winter or spring day, where temperatures fall between 70° and 75°, but my absolute favorite is blue skies, and “Sunny And 75°“. Not because that’s the title of a country song lol, but because that is the absolute perfect temperature to be on the water and feel like you’re paddling in paradise! Everything is coming alive, birds, fish and plant life.
When it comes to snorkeling, give me the late spring and the summer months of June, July and August! In late spring, everything is active, the waters are starting to lay down and water temperatures are beautiful! So late April through the end of August the waters are calm, and the visibility is ideal at that time of the year providing there aren’t any storms offshore.
At the end of the day, though it is a personal preference thing so get out there on the water as much as possible so you can determine when your favorite time to be on the water is!
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