Red Tide Cancel or Not
 

If I find out that the beach we are going to is going to be having red tide, should I cancel my vacation?

You are asking a very difficult question--because you never know how long Red tide will last. If the wind blows the right way on the right day it is out of here, or you could be here--no red tide--and then hello there it is. Sorry I cannot be more help. But we are dealing with mother nature here.

I would try to find out what the hotels policy is. If there is red tide in one location, you could always go to another location where there isn't red tide. And if it's there today, then it might not be there tomorrow. So I think your best bet is to try to be flexible. Where are you heading?

lwc, I just read your other post. I can see why you're worried. Red tide is not a lot of fun. Why don't you have an alternative plan? You could head to Clearwater if it hits Indian Shores. So far I think it's just at TI right now. There's a front coming in this weekend with a forecast for rain. I seem to recall that freshwater diminishes the effects but I'm not sure. The weather is coming from the north heading south so perhaps the red tide will be pushed back south where it's been stagnating for a couple of months.

I really think your best plan is to have an alternative beach in mind. And to check with your hotel on their cancellation policy.

Thanks. It has been several years since I have been to Florida. I have never seen a red tide but it doesn't sound like much fun. My son has never been to Florida and we are bring a total of 4 kids. Three of the four and a couple of us adults suffer from seasonal allergies and I really wonder how bad a red tide would set our allergies off. I really want to come but I just can't imagine being there and having to avoid the beach plus our condo is located right on the beach. Maybe we will get lucky and everything will be beautiful by then. Thank you and if you don't mind keep me posted about where the red tide goes. Thanks again.

There were reports last night on the TV that red tide had hit TI but it didn't look too bad. Hang in there!!!

The primary problem with red tide is whether the wind is blowing from the Gulf toward the land. Right now today in St Pete Beach, there's a strong wind out of the west so we are choking around here. The red tide produces a gas that is swept by the wind, so wherever the wind goes is where the red tide gases will go. I haven't seen any other post from you so I don't know your plans, but if there is a wind shift so it comes more from the north or east, you should be OK. It isn't too hard to forecast wind direction, so watch the weather forecasters and try to rely on them and on the other advice you've received.

For details on Red Tide check:

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

Updates on the Florida red tide, not the same as the New England one, can be obtained at the following link:
http://isurus.mote.org/~mhenry/rtupdate.phtml

I've been reading the posts about red tide, and the latest one was dated 6/16. Is there any new news? I have been on the Florida Marine website, and their latest update was 6/17...so I am wondering if any local people have any information? I am wondering about the St.Pete beach area. Thank you so much!

lighthouse13, I have heard that there is still a problem. We have cancelled our trip to Indian Shores and I read another post today about dead eels floating in the water there. I have heard that it was affecting St Pete but there is another update on mote marine for 6/20 you might want to check there. We did manage to get reservations in Myrtle Beach at the last mintute. We are leaving on 7/2. Good Luck.

I will be arriving in St.Pete July 2nd. I have been researching and talking with as many people as I can. I have decided to take my chances and pray the red tide is gone by then. It's a week and a half away so what do you locals think are my chances for a red tide free vacation???