Can anyone help me to understand this "Red Tide" phenomenon? I thought that it was something that only affected the Gulf side of Florida, but now I have seen some reports of it also on the Atlantic side. I'm trying to plan a beach holiday in Florida for this summer and would like to know if I can avoid it or whether there is as much chance of it hitting anywhere I choose in Florida. Grateful for any pointers. Thanks

Every beach city in Florida would love to be able to predict when and where there will be a red tide outbreak. As it is naturally occuring, there's no way to do that. In decades of going to beaches in Florida every year (sometimes several times a year) I have never hit a beach during a red tide outbreak.

http://www.floridamarine.org/feature...le.asp?id=9670

Under the map is a link where you can see maps showing the red tide outbreaks (red is bad, green is good) on all coasts for several years.

Living in the Clearwater area, we've had our share of Red Tide. Last summer we lucked out and had a great Red Tide free season yet we've had seasons that were horrible. Definitely check the website provided by the previous poster and totally avoid areas with outbreaks. Also, don't rely on hotels telling you that their beach stinks at the time of booking. Most simply want to fill their rooms and will not volunteer info. regarding Red Tide. Do your homework! I don't know that we've ever had a summer where the entire state was affected so you should be able to find a clean beach somewhere - just keep your options open.

As a native and a former suntan lotion peddler on the Gulf, I can tell you that being at the beach during a bad red tide event can be miserable. It can affect your respritory system to the point of not being able to even go out on the beach. It can vary from mild(a few dead fish in the water and shore) to piles of dead fish on the shore and alot floating.

It is really a weird phenomenom. As I child, I never remember outbreaks. I don't know when it really started. Like starrs said, I don't think there is anyway you can predict it. IMO there are fewer outbreaks in the panhandle. There are plenty of really pretty beaches from Pensacola to Panama City that are great.