Great barracuda off Florida migrate north in the spring and south in the fall and, throughout its worldwide range, may also undergo spawning migrations. Donald de Sylva's 1963 report indicates that seasonal migrations in Florida may result from following the 77°F isotherm, at a rate of two miles per day, as 'cuda seem to prefer water between 74°F and 82°F. However, considerable differences may exist among populations through acclimation and the barracuda can adjust its temperature behaviorally by moving to deeper or shallower water, as necessary. Sudden temperature changes can be fatal to barracuda, and winter fish kills may include many of these surprisingly sensitive predators.

Nearshore, great barracuda are most commonly found in areas of coral reef, seagrass, and mangrove habitat. Adults tend to avoid areas of brackish water, although juveniles and some adults have been found in water that receives high input of fresh water, and they may even penetrate fresh waters. Great barracuda move from shallow (3 m or less, exemplified by Florida Bay on the northwest side of the Florida Keys) to deeper habitats as they mature, and some have been seen at depths over 60 m (and have been caught from 60-73 m). Young great barracuda may shelter among floating vegetation or by hiding amongst sea grass.

Large barracuda seem to spend a lot of time hovering just above the bottom, usually above sand but also over and even among areas of corals and gorgonians. They are also frequently seen sitting just below the water's surface. Often solitary or grouped barracuda will be found hovering above the edge of the 'halo zone,' a characteristic of Caribbean reefs where a relatively bare radius of sand surrounding a reef gives way to seagrass beds. As small barracuda grow they typically venture from shallow seagrass or mangrove areas near shore to those a little further out, ending up on the coral reefs during their second year of life. Adults may roam to other habitats and migrate, but some resident individuals inhabit the same reefs for a period of at least several years.