Please explain red tide to me and tell me how long it lasts. We are going to be in Indian Shores the first week of July.

It's basically a huge concentration of algae blooms that produce toxins which can cause respritory issues if you eat shellfish infected by it (my understanding is that fin fish and lobster/crabs are not impacted.) In NE I think it can last for a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on conditions.

BTW - it's called that b/c in some areas where the concentrations are unusually high, the water appears a pink or red color.

Not exactly correct, chanle51. You are right about the algae bloom part, but Red Tide affects finfish by depleting the water of oxygen (thus all the fish kills and the dead fish on the beach), and the respiratory effects on humans are felt just by being on the beach, not by eating the food. I want to emphasize that swimming in the water will not harm you. It is like having allergies, you cough and feel a tickle in your throat, however no ill feelings usually (as in a cold).

The tide part is unpredictable. For instance, the Sarasota area has been plagued by Red Tide for months on end. Just recently, we had about five days of severe winds from the south (Tropical Storm Arlene). That brought the red tide northward to Pinellas County. It is definitely present in Treasure Island, but I'm not sure if the wind brought it all the way north to Indian Rocks. Hibiscus house, who posts here, would know.

Lwc, do a search here on Fodor's for "red tide" - there are some very long threads which give varying opinions on what it means to a vacationer. I'm thinking that perhaps you'll be safe, since July is still a few weeks away, there's still time for a nice storm to blow all that junk out to sea, but there's no way to predict, unfortunately.

Thanks for the clarification Joan - my understanding from the news up here (in Boston) must have been incorrect - they said it only hit shellfish - (the algae) but did not mention the fin-fish side effects (which as you state, makes perfect sense) - the fin fish are not carriers of the toxin, but are indeed impacted (contrary to my comment.)

chanle51, my husband told me that the Boston red tide is a different strain...so not sure, perhaps the effects are different than the Florida version?

Joan, If I call and find out that there is a red tide the week we are scheculed to come to the beach, would you recommend that we cancel our trip?

From what I've heard, the red tide in the northeast doesn't have the respiratory effects that "our" variety has on the Gulf coast. They are blaming it on the two Nor'easters last month so the reason for it's being there is similar to ours.

We arrive June 30 for a week of sailing and hopefully it'll be gone. We'd planned on sleeping on the boat! LOL Such luck....although it's so specific to areas, that although TI has it, it might not be in Boca Ciega Bay...fingers crossed.

I posted this link in another string.

For details on RT see:

http://www.mass.gov/dph/fpp/redtide.htm

Gosh, Lwc, I cannot say what I would do. Where are you flying from, how long, and where exactly are you staying? Can you cancel anything without penalty? I saw on your other post that you have four children with you, so I know what an impact this could have on their (your) enjoyment. But as OO says, you just never know - it could be on one beach, but not on another a mile away. And wind and storms... And with five or six in your party, changing plans could prove to be very costly. So far, it apparently has not reached quite as far as IRB. Here's today's report from the Fish & Wildlife folks - scroll down and you will notice nothing present at Redington Pier (south of you) or Clearwater Beach (north of you). I will try to keep you posted.

http://research.myfwc.com/features/v...e.asp?id=12373

Where's Hibiscus House? She can tell us firsthand!

OO: Yikes, here's an article from todays St. Pete Times detailing the locations...if worse comes to worst, my door is open, honey, you can always come to our house and escape into the A/C!

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/06/17/So...ating_in.shtml

Joan: Thank you so much. We are going to be at Indian Shores Beach. We would lose a $200.00 deposit but I just can't imagine being at the beach with four children and not being able to actually go to the beach. I have been looking around at some other places just in case but I really hate to change. Thanks and keep me posted.

Thanks for the link Joan...it is sort of discouraging to see Boca Ciega involved too, but we've still got 2 weeks and it can turn on a dime and vamoose.

I still recall one that got to Boca Ciega last year or the year before where although the bay had it, the marina didn't. Whatever, nuttin's keeping us from Woody's and maybe we'll even be able to get a parking spot there now--and find a table! LOL Gotta look on the bright side. Come on down if you can!