Vacation to Siesta Key, FL in 2 weeks - Beach is a ghost town because of "Red Tide"

dnf0027 · Aug 5, 2018

So I am going to one of the nicest beaches in the USA in 2 weeks, Siesta Key FL.

However, because of this "RED TIDE"...It is killing thousands of fish and basically shut down the beach.

I'm hoping that it is gone and back to normal by the time I get there but that is wishful thinking and I need a backup plan.

I have a friend in Punta Gorda thats about an hour away and a sister that lives close to Miami FL....Will most likely spend 2 days in Miami...

Anyone have any experience with this red tide shit? Also, what beaches that are within an hourish driver are nice and not affected?

Any help would be appreciated.

dnf0027 · Aug 5, 2018

SIESTA KEY, Fla. —Thousands of dead fish have washed up on Siesta Key's shoreline.

Red tide in the Gulf of Mexico has been killing fish and causing respiratory irritation in southwest Florida, while thick mats of smelly, brown seaweed have coated beaches along the state's Atlantic coast.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said red tide is likely to blame for the death of fish on Siesta Key's shore.
County workers are set to clean up the fish on Thursday.
Researchers are also reporting a spiking number of sea turtle deaths in Florida waters plagued by the red tide algae bloom.
FWC has documented 287 sea turtle deaths in Gulf of Mexico waters since the toxic bloom started in October.
Officials believe the population of sea turtles should be able to recover.

HacheMan · Aug 5, 2018

Was just there 3 weeks ago & it was beautiful. (Hour & half drive for me)

Hopefully it's passed by the time you arrive...

dnf0027 · Aug 5, 2018

Hache Man said:
Was just there 3 weeks ago & it was beautiful. (Hour & half drive for me)

Hopefully it's passed by the time you arrive...

Ugh, I hope so too.

C.P. · Aug 5, 2018

was just down there @ my condo...

Ft Myers beach was busy...but...not many in the water...

dnf0027 · Aug 5, 2018

C.P. said:
was just down there @ my condo...

Ft Myers beach was busy...but...not many in the water...

Thanks for the update, How far is ft myers from siesta key?

C.P. · Aug 5, 2018

about a hour 1:40...off season...

in season NO Thanks...

traffic sucks...

enjoy...hot humid and it rains frequently in the evening...this time of year...

pennspride · Aug 5, 2018

I live 5 miles from siesta key and walked the beach on Wednesday. Dead fish everywhere and not one person in the water. Color of water is dark brown and yellow. Beach hardly had any people on it and everyone was hacking. It’s all over the coast of southwest Florida. Very bad from Sarasota down to Naples. It is a total disaster to the people that live along the coast. Vacationers are screwed and it affecting all of the businesses.

dnf0027 · Aug 5, 2018

pennspride said:
I live 5 miles from siesta key and walked the beach on Wednesday. Dead fish everywhere and not one person in the water. Color of water is dark brown and yellow. Beach hardly had any people on it and everyone was hacking. It’s all over the coast of southwest Florida. Very bad from Sarasota down to Naples. It is a total disaster to the people that live along the coast. Vacationers are screwed and it affecting all of the businesses.

So if I'm trying to dodge the red tide, I should head north?

pennspride · Aug 5, 2018

Go to visitbeaches.org and click on any beach on the west coast of Florida to get current beach conditions.
Also check mote marine. Siesta beach cam gives live video of the beach.

pennspride · Aug 5, 2018

Yes, try Clearwater beach

dnf0027 · Aug 5, 2018

pennspride said:
Go to visitbeaches.org and click on any beach on the west coast of Florida to get current beach conditions.
Also check mote marine. Siesta beach cam gives live video of the beach.

Yea I actually did that earlier and brought up a live cam at siesta today and there was actually people on the beach hanging out, but it def wasn't packed.

OK cool, I will keep clearwater beach in mind...I actually have been there before too (very nice beach)

dnf0027 · Aug 5, 2018

Oh wow, thats about a 90min drive to clearwater. Hopefully we don't have to go that route but if so, at least we have options.

Thanks for your help pennspride.

dnf0027 · Aug 6, 2018

on the live cam at siesta beach today and it seems like it is back to somewhat normalcy...hoping it stays that way.

Thanks for all the responses

Vacation to Siesta Key, FL in 2 weeks - Beach is a ghost town because of "Red Tide"

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