When to come

When to visit

Average highs, lows and rain (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals for Bradenton) and average Gulf water temperature (NOAA, St. Petersburg / Tampa Bay).

• • Bridge Street Farmers Market season (Sundays, roughly November to April). source
• • Heated pools: rental pools are usually heated December to April. Cold snaps can still cool them down. source
• • Sea turtle nesting season: lights out on the beach at night; remove beach gear and fill holes daily. source
• • Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 to November 30). Watch the forecast and consider trip insurance. source
• • The wettest months. Expect afternoon thunderstorms; plan beach time for mornings. source
• • Stingray and jellyfish season: both peak in summer, so do the stingray shuffle and watch for the purple flag. source
• • Short breaks: a few local spots close for a week or so for cleaning. Swordfish Grill in Cortez closed Sept 14 to 23 in 2026, so check before you drive over. source
• • Cortez Bridge work: bridge construction was set to start in November 2026 and FDOT expects about 1,200 days of work. Leave extra time on Cortez Rd. source

We don't have verified month-by-month crowd data, so we don't guess. School holidays usually mean busier beaches and bridges.