GULF COAST DAMAGE?
Dec 29th, 2005, 01:50 PM
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GULF COAST DAMAGE?
I want to go back to the Gulf Coast in May..Navarre Beach, Destin, or even Gulf Shores. I'm from the East Coast and want an HONEST assessment of hurricane damage as I rent a condo for a week. I've heard that the bridge to Navarre was destroyed and the beautiful white beaches along that area pretty much wiped out. I rented from VRBO last year and might like to do it again but hate to put all my trust in the opinion of an owner that really wants to rent! I've also been tempted by Anna Maria Island but still have the same questions. Can anyone give me some helpful info? Thanks!
Cissy
Cissy
Dec 29th, 2005, 02:00 PM
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We were in Orange Beach three weeks ago.
An honest assessment would be that there was some beach deterioration as a result of ivan, but a lot of it has been fixed.
Destin was not really affected by ivan so that may be your best bet. we have been to destin several times since ivan and no difference.
navarre was affected but not as much as gulf shores/orange beach. you would be fine there too.
they are working on the beach in gulf shores/orange beach, and they are also still working on repairing damaged condos. however, by may it should be fine.
the problem with destin in may is that it is a zoo. we were there in the 2nd week of may this past year and it really wasn't relaxing at all. Too many drunk Auburn students that were super loud with every other word being a curse word. In May many colleges are out so you would be in the midst of a lot of 19-21 year olds.
we stayed at the sandestin hilton and were annoyed that there were so many people that it felt like that john candy movie.
if i were you i'd go with navarre- 90% of the damage has been fixed and it is much quieter than Destin. Look at the Pearl or the Inn at Summerwind.
An honest assessment would be that there was some beach deterioration as a result of ivan, but a lot of it has been fixed.
Destin was not really affected by ivan so that may be your best bet. we have been to destin several times since ivan and no difference.
navarre was affected but not as much as gulf shores/orange beach. you would be fine there too.
they are working on the beach in gulf shores/orange beach, and they are also still working on repairing damaged condos. however, by may it should be fine.
the problem with destin in may is that it is a zoo. we were there in the 2nd week of may this past year and it really wasn't relaxing at all. Too many drunk Auburn students that were super loud with every other word being a curse word. In May many colleges are out so you would be in the midst of a lot of 19-21 year olds.
we stayed at the sandestin hilton and were annoyed that there were so many people that it felt like that john candy movie.
if i were you i'd go with navarre- 90% of the damage has been fixed and it is much quieter than Destin. Look at the Pearl or the Inn at Summerwind.
Dec 29th, 2005, 03:08 PM
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Anna Maria hasn't been touched by any hurricanes the past two seasons, and the temps are still tolerable in May. The beaches, though very pretty in their own right, are not as beautiful as those in the Panhandle, nor is the water as clear.
Dec 29th, 2005, 04:28 PM
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Look at Grayton Beach area
http://graytonbeach.com/
http://graytonbeach.com/
Dec 31st, 2005, 01:58 PM
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I could not help, but notice, the advice in one of the posts that Navarre Beach is 90% "fixed". I just returned two days ago from visiting my sister and brother in law who live on Navarre Beach. They were among the few lucky ones who had little damage. Yes, there is progress in restoring in the buildings, but the beach has been devasted. There is rubble everywhere, construction noise from dawn to dark, glass and nails in the sand - what there is left of it! The sand is no longer sugar white, but kind of grey with chunks of concrete, stones, and black top mixed in.
There is one restaurant open for dinner and Sailor's Grill for breakfast/lunch. If you have fond memories of Navarre Beach and it's former amenities - forget it! We stayed for free and would not return there unless I had relatives to visit...even then I hope they visit us next year. It will be a year or more before Navarre Beach can begin to be considered a destination.
There is one restaurant open for dinner and Sailor's Grill for breakfast/lunch. If you have fond memories of Navarre Beach and it's former amenities - forget it! We stayed for free and would not return there unless I had relatives to visit...even then I hope they visit us next year. It will be a year or more before Navarre Beach can begin to be considered a destination.
Dec 31st, 2005, 02:47 PM
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certain areas of navarre are much better than others. i've been there and seen it. many people around here went there this past summer for vacation.
by may, the majority of the tourist areas will be fixed. there has been a lot of progress, remarkably so, and that is what the op was asking of.
of course, opinions can differ. but i think the op deserves a balanced perspective, which i think is what he/she was asking for.
by may, the majority of the tourist areas will be fixed. there has been a lot of progress, remarkably so, and that is what the op was asking of.
of course, opinions can differ. but i think the op deserves a balanced perspective, which i think is what he/she was asking for.
Jan 1st, 2006, 07:19 PM
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Cissy,
See my replay to Davemeisters post regarding the state of the beach/Pensacola. That gives a very fair and honest assessment of Pensacola Beach from someone who lives there - me.
Navarre Beach is probably worse than P'cola. I can't say for certain, since the island road between the two places is still unrepaired and I haven't taken the long way around to see it firsthand. I do know they are going to be renourishing the beach there, but don't know if it will be begun, much less completed, by May.
Hope this helps.
FF
See my replay to Davemeisters post regarding the state of the beach/Pensacola. That gives a very fair and honest assessment of Pensacola Beach from someone who lives there - me.
Navarre Beach is probably worse than P'cola. I can't say for certain, since the island road between the two places is still unrepaired and I haven't taken the long way around to see it firsthand. I do know they are going to be renourishing the beach there, but don't know if it will be begun, much less completed, by May.
Hope this helps.
FF
