Florida Red Tide- cancel trip??

[PenJoe]

NOAA Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System: Operational Conditions Reports

It's not quite that clear cut. With a med to high red tide, you go to the beach because you have to. The air odor is pungent and it burns the eyes.People with respiratory problems can be affected. At present,it is not too bad at the upper end of Charlotte Harbor. Haven't been to the beaches.

Fox 4 News in Fort Meyers reports when Red Tide becomes intolerable. So far, they have said nothing. Wind has a lot to do with Red Tide hitting the the beaches, When the wind is out of the NE, it pushes it a little more off shore.

[KyDan]

We aren't going to swim but love walking on the beach every day. We'll bring masks and hope we don't need them.
Red coconut rv park is right across the beach road. We are so looking forward to being there.

[moligney]

Just spent a week on Gulf Shores and now second week on forgotten coast on the beach no problem.

[Jim in Halifax]

Happens every year maybe around this time (sarasota area)......Does not last long...It would not last the 12 weeks that you are there...In the mean time there is lots to do!!!!

[ValMelton]

don't worry about we lived there 3 years in Panama city and had red tide 2 years in a row and we walked the beach and swam in it. just wouldn't eat any of the fish because the mercury will be too high in fish

[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by youroo

I would say that They will RISK falling on ICE in Fla! Rather than stay in the North! Youroo!!

No, my point was...ah forget it.. i'll chance the risk.

[Life Without Whine]

When it does decide to stick around it can be a problem for anyone's airway & you really do not know until you experience it to find out if you are sensitive.

That said : dogs on the beach : DO NOT LET THEM GO!!! As a veterinarian I see the dead pet from ingesting anything containing red tide ....and that includes chasing a ball in the sand along the shore. Keep in mind there will be some buried fish carcasses that they will find & ingest even after red tide has passed ....

[B and B]

Originally Posted by youroo

I would say that They will RISK falling on ICE in Fla! Rather than stay in the North! Youroo!!

When does Youroo go south for the Winter?

[OldBob]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Anyone concerned or changing/canceling your Florida plans due to the toxic red tide?? Looks to be pretty much up and down the gulf side.
We have relatives who live near Tampa and they are staying away from
the beach. Others we know were going to Destin area and they have chronic
respiratory issues and they may not go even tho they have a house rented for 12 weeks right after Christmas.

Red Tide - Statewide Status

and

https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/hab/

We live in the Tampa Bay area just a couple of miles from the Gulf of Mexico and it hasn't been any kind of a problem so far. We haven't even seen any dead fish or had any bed smell that accompanies it. So in my opinion come on down. It's supposed to be in the mid 80s on Christmas. So far we've not had any cold weather at all although I would guess that the gulf water is cold. We don't swim if the water is under 80 degrees. But...we are retired old timers and can't stand cold!

[Malabarbob]

We experience it several time going to the Patrick AFB Officers Club in Melbourne, FL on the Atlantic Ocean. I had to drop everyone at the door and completely cover my mouth and nose to breath after parking the car. It was unbelievably bad. You could not stay anywhere near it.

[abomb]

Originally Posted by youroo

Not knocking the North,just stating Facts,Why do YOU think Members from the North Go to Fla.in the Winter? Youroo!!

I agree people get more sensitive to cold as they get older, but a cold winter makes you really appreciate a warm summer.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Malabarbob

We experience it several time going to the Patrick AFB Officers Club in Melbourne, FL on the Atlantic Ocean. I had to drop everyone at the door and completely cover my mouth and nose to breath after parking the car. It was unbelievably bad. You could not stay anywhere near it.

So you left the Officers Club without everyone? Youroo!!

[V-Lite Fun]

I live in the Ft Myers area and just a mile from the water. I'm not aware of any red tide at this time. Red tide blows in and out with the weather. It usually doesn't stick around long but if it's there on your one week vacation that's a bad deal. Lots to do that doesn't involve beaches though.

[nikita]

We snowbird on the East Coast, West Palm Beach. We have heard of this and it has never bothered us. DH has a slight COPD and asthama. His allergy Dr. tells him if he starts coughing, take his rescue inhaler (Pro-Air) every 4 hours. Just go and enjoy yourself, better than shoveling snow!!

[hillsdaletc]

We have been here in Sarasota ,on the gulf since the first of Dec. We have not experienced any problems. Went out charter fishing , 18 miles out and back no problems then. The red tide is only in small areas, and it seems more of it is up near Tampa. Have not seen any dead fish on the beaches. I would call to the area you are planning to be in and ask.

[phillyg]

I live on the Gulf Coast. There have been minor breakouts of red tide for the past two or so months. It's much overblown IMHO. I suppose if you already have respiratory problems it might cause you problems. Other than some fish kills here and there over a 100 mile spread, it's a non-issue for most people. If there were high levels of the toxin in a specific area I'd avoid it, but it hasn't stopped me yet from getting out there.

[kluza2786]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Did you have any breathing issues??
Darn!! We've paid big bucks to be right on the beach for a week in Fort Myers!

Dan - Are you staying at Red Coconut?

[aceinspp]

Well sounds like stay away from the ocean if you all think it's a problem. Guess if your going to escape the cold better head else where Later RJD

[Wobbles]

KyDan,
Please stay home and I will gladly go to FL in your place.

I wish I could go but, I have an illness called a "job". Someday I wish to have your concerns about should I stay or go.

Be safe.

[txredfish]

KYDan,
I live on the Texas coast near Corpus Christi. I am not sure what your dates are to be in Florida. In August, September we dealt with the red tide. Corpus had the same dead fish/breathing issues. After a couple of cold fronts it has disappeared. This was not the first time. It is caused by an algae bloom which disappears with the cooler water. I am surprised that the gulf coast of Florida still has it. But, I guess Ft Meyers has a little warmer water.
However, the dead fish may linger a bit longer. So, hopefully when you go it has disappeared. But like others have said, water is too cold to swim. There are a lot other things to do away from coast. Just keep up with red tide reports on the web.