Red Tide -Southwest FL Beaches

[Jan M.]

Based on the past, do you think the last two weeks of December will be as bad in Marco Island?

The dead fish and smell should be long gone by then. It isn't unheard of for red tides to happen at other times of year but they don't last like this and they aren't as widespread either. My husband said that he just read that this is the worst red tide in over a decade. But it has also been a very hot summer and that exacerbates the problem. We also haven't had any big storms yet that come in hurricane season to blow it out either.

 

[Laurie]

Once again, here's the link to check status (thank you stevio99):
http://myfwc.com/redtidestatus

I'm checking every few days because we have 3 exchanges later this year on west coast of FL. Unfortunately just one was impacted last week, but now it's 2, and it's spreading both up and down the coast. One exchange is with II which I can potentially re-trade, but 2 are RCI so I'd have to forfeit the exchange fee and maybe the TPU's.

 

[Jan M.]

Once again, here's the link to check status (thank you stevio99):
http://myfwc.com/redtidestatus

I'm checking every few days because we have 3 exchanges later this year on west coast of FL. Unfortunately just one was impacted last week, but now it's 2, and it's spreading both up and down the coast. One exchange is with II which I can potentially re-trade, but 2 are RCI so I'd have to forfeit the exchange fee and maybe the TPU's.

Don't stress yourself out worrying about what is happening now effecting your vacation later this year. It will be long gone by the time you are going. However there is no way to predict what could happen when you will be going as red tides can happen at any time, but generally happen when the water is warmer. And it is unusual that they effect such a large area or last this long. Btw the water in later November and for the next couple of months might seem warm to you but it isn't as warm as it is now.

For the last 7 years we have been going to resorts on the beaches in Sanibel, Captiva, Naples, Marco Island and Sarasota every few months. One time, and only the one time, were we at a resort after there had been a red tide in the area not far from where the resort was. We never in all our stays encountered a red tide. That time the red tide was couple of weeks earlier and we weren't bothered by smells but did see the dried up remains of some dead fish when we walked up the beach towards that area. Just to be cautious my husband would go up to the shower/foot rinsing station and rinse off after he got out of the water. We bought jugs of water to drink and cook with but I usually do that no matter where we go.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Based on the past, do you think the last two weeks of December will be as bad in Marco Island?

It's hard to really know. I've seen National News stories on the current crisis and some of them have said that the potential of it lasting a year to a year and a half.

I can tell you from previous encounters that the smell is not pleasant at all......

And, best I can tell this is not currently affecting Marco Island.




.

 

[Laurie]

Trying to feel optimistic that this year will be like past years, but so far it's not quite working for me - since nothing much climate-wise is normal.

"Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in ... 8/2 at South Marco Beach..."

 

[Panina]

Trying to feel optimistic that this year will be like past years, but so far it's not quite working for me - since nothing much climate-wise is normal.

"Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in ... 8/2 at South Marco Beach..."

I am like you. I have 4 weeks planned closer to the end of the year on the west coast fl and not sure what to do. Will wait awhile before I switch and hope it gets better

 

[Carta]

Headed to Ormond beach (Atlantic side, near Daytona) 1st week of Oct..Any Concerns?

 

[Sea Six]

Headed to Ormond beach (Atlantic side, near Daytona) 1st week of Oct..Any Concerns?

Isn't that bike week, when thousands of bikers take over Daytona Beach? Do you ride a Harley?

 

[rapmarks]

Should I take my exchange into Vanderbilt beach, dec 15, or worry about it being ruined by red tide.

 

[silentg]

https://visitbeaches.org/#
We are going to Ft Myers Beach in January. Not changing plans

 

[CanuckTravlr]

Isn't that bike week, when thousands of bikers take over Daytona Beach? Do you ride a Harley?

I think you mean Biketoberfest, which is certainly a motorcycle rally. It will not be until October 18th to 21st. So Carta will not likely be there at that time.

The week traditionally known as Bike Week in Daytona is during Spring Break. In 2019 it will be held Mar 8th to 17th. It is larger and longer than the fall meet.

 

[CanuckTravlr]

Headed to Ormond beach (Atlantic side, near Daytona) 1st week of Oct..Any Concerns?

You should be fine. Red tides usually occur on the Gulf Coast, not so much on the Atlantic coast of Florida. The Gulf side has generally shallower, warmer waters than the Atlantic side, which helps the algae bloom to develop.

 

[Panina]

https://visitbeaches.org/#
We are going to Ft Myers Beach in January. Not changing plans

I will be in Marco Island and Captiva, also not changing plans. Maybe we can get together if we are going the same time.

 

[Laurie]

https://visitbeaches.org/#

Thanks silentg, that's another excellent beach-specific website to check!

 

[rapmarks]

I took my trade in Naples in December and hoping for the best

 

[Sea Six]

My wife caught a report on national news today - showed the thick blue-green algae sludge floating on top of the water in the canals, and showed pics of the dead fish, turtles, dolphins, and a whale shark washing up on the beach in the Ft Myers area because of the red tide in the Gulf. She said our tourism is screwed. Can't imagine why anyone would come to this area until this is resolved. It's worse than you can imagine.

 

[silentg]

Optimistic that it will be ok in January.
We have been keeping up with the beach reports. It’s pretty bad there now.
Silentg

 

[brdzonbat]

The Webcam at The Turtle Club, shows a pretty nice beach. This restaurant is very close to Vanderbilt Beach and Harbour Club.

 

[rapmarks]

Yes, thank you, we were actually staying on Vanderbilt beach fifteen years ago when we saw an ad in the newspaper and ended up buying our house.

 

[Talent312]

RCI's Red-Tide Policy: Cancellation Penalties Apply.
"Thank you for your inquiry about the current situation with Red Tide in Florida. At this time RCI is not offering any exceptions for cancellations and they are following the standard cancel policy. Currently, if you decide to cancel, the $239 RCI exchange fee will be forfeited and, if points protection was not purchased, depending on when you cancel, you may forfeit points. If you would like to add the points protection for $59, you can receive 100% of the points back should you choose to cancel. You can also wait until closer to the dates to see if anything changes with RCI's cancel policy for this situation."
.

 

[moonstone]

Seems to be very serious. Maybe RCI will change their minds now. Hoping for a quick recovery.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...5/florida-red-tide-state-emergency/995777002/


~Diane

 

[Panina]

Seems to be very serious. Maybe RCI will change their minds now. Hoping for a quick recovery.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...5/florida-red-tide-state-emergency/995777002/


~Diane

I doubt RCI will change their mind. They are still listing available units in the areas that have the problem. This morning there were quite a few weeks available for the 24th.

 

[alwysonvac]

https://visitbeaches.org/#
We are going to Ft Myers Beach in January. Not changing plans

Thanks for the info.
From that site found several other resources.

From https://mote.org/news/article/red-tide-what-mote-is-doing-now

Red tide resources for the public

• To report fish kills, contact the FWC Fish Kill Hotline at 800-636-0511 or submit a report online.
• FWC’s statewide red tide status reports (on abundance of K. brevis algae) are typically updated every Friday afternoon: myfwc.com/redtidestatus
• Based on statewide results, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides forecasts of potential respiratory irritation: http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/hab/
• Mote’s CSIC app allows users to report when and where they experience respiratory irritation or see discolored water or dead fish — all potential indications of Florida red tide. motecsic.org
• Mote’s Beach Conditions Reporting System provides shoreline observations as often as twice daily: visitbeaches.org
• Red tide background info from Mote and FWC, respectively (including FAQs): https://mote.org/pages/florida-red-tide1and myfwc.com/redtide
• Red tide and human health – information and rack cards from Florida Department of Health: floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/aquatic-toxins/red-tide.html
• FWC’s red tide offshore monitoring program – a way for volunteers to help. myfwc.com/research/redtide/monitoring/current/offshore-monitoring/
• FWC-Mote Facebook page, Florida Red Tide and Other Harmful Algal Blooms: facebook.com/flhabs

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Should I take my exchange into Vanderbilt beach, dec 15, or worry about it being ruined by red tide.

Oh wow, I have been trying to exchange into Vanderbilt beach for years, can I ask what you used to get this exchange and was it through II or RCI? thanks

 

[rapmarks]

Oh wow, I have been trying to exchange into Vanderbilt beach for years, can I ask what you used to get this exchange and was it through II or RCI? thanks

Traded through rci, I put in an ongoing search including three resorts on Marco and two resorts on siesta key, I used my last combined tpu which was 75, and have a lot left. Red tide may have scared someone else off.
May I add that this is twenty to thirty minute drive from our house, so it may seem silly to take as an exchange.