Hey everyone! I don't know if I can still shed light on Red Tide. All I can tell you is we had reservations at the Crystal Sands on Crescent Beach, Siesta Key from June 11 to June 18. I was also worried before going there, but the decision had already been made. In addition, Tropical Storm Arlene was threatening the Gulf, but passed by without any trouble before we arrived.

The first day, I had a little coughing [like pepper in my throat] but it subsided within 1/2 hour. From the 12th to the 18th, there was no coughing at all. We had great weather and a wonderful vacation. Yes, there were a few dead fish on the beach, but the beach was raked every morning by motorized machinery before most people arrived for the day. The beach raker made periodic checks up and down the beach during the day. Some beach-goers pointed out a couple of dead fish to the driver and he picked them up. And yes, dead fish smell can be very offensive, so you could hope the raker comes along, move away from the dead creature, or carry some paper towels and pick the carcass up yourself and move it elsewhere and bury it.

I figured that the condo owner might not cheerfully refund my sizeable deposit and our airline reservations were made through Travelocity back in Feb., and the tickets were non-refundable [for 4 passengers.]

Within 2 days, the ocean cleared up from Arlene and took on its familiar Caribbean colors.

A 24 hr. Fla. news station showed many parts of the Gulf on a daily basis and many dead fish were beached in some areas, but more numerous in some canals. They cited Treasure Island as being troublesome.

I think any reputable condo association or hotel would insist that the beaches be cleaned up. That was our experience. And after all... no one can out-guess Mother Nature, no matter where you intend to spend your vacation. We have spent a few vacations when Mother Nature refused to smile on us. She left us cooped up in a hotel with kids, while it rained from morning to night the entire 7 days. Nice going, Mother Nature!

Regardless of our fears, we went and had a good time. I was glad we stuck with the arrangements.

Seagull, did you go in the water with the dead fish and the very-gross dead eels floating around you? There's way too many of them here at Indian Shores, since we arrived Saturday. We are enjoying walking on the beach but no way will I go in the water. My DH has not, either. Every day we hope for vast improvement but no luck yet! BUT we're still having a good time, and are glad we came. We went to Caladesi Island yesterday, and the ocean & sand were gorgeous and fun there (no RT at all.) Glad you had a wonderful vacation! :-)

Hey bonniebroad, I believe we discussed Indian Shores last week before you left. We have cancelled our trip due to the red tide. We have decided to go to Myrtle Beach instead. I can't imagine taking four kids to the beach and not getting in the water. I hope it gets better for you.

Well, we braved the red tide in Siesta Key and had a perfectly wonderful vacation! Our condo was beautiful (Midnight Cove) with a view of the beach and condo pool, plus lots of amenities in the condo itself. The red tide was a nuissance, but was not as bad as feared. A few days we had coughing, and you could hear everyone on the beach coughing or sneezing, but it didn't keep people away or out of the water. By mid-week (around June 15-16) the water was crystal clear and warm, but there were plenty of dead fish on the beach. We just stayed away from them and warned our kids not to touch, though the variety of fish affected was impressive and rather sad. We saw dead puffer fish (HUGE ones!), rays, eels, etc. But, we also saw live sea-horses and many dolphins! The dead fish were worse on the Intercoastal waterway--we rented a motorboat and there were lots of dead floaters--at least at the beach you didn't see them in the water too much.
All in all, a great vacation, a beautiful spot to visit, and still the softest coolest sand I've ever felt! Thanks to all who responded, and if you have a vacation coming up, don't give up, you will still have fun if the wind is right!

Bonniebroad:

We did not see dead fish in the ocean, just a few on the beach. We swam and the kids dove for sand dollars and the Gulf became as clear as a bell.

Besides ruining sea life, Red Tide can ruin a vacation. The strange thing is that conditions can change day by day. We were in Siesta from June 11 to the 18th. and possibly we hit it lucky. We were also on Midnight Pass Rd. at the Crystal Sands. I am happy we stuck with it.

In the 70's parts of the eastern fla. coast had Red Tide. It was so bad, no one could get within a mile of the beaches.

I was just in Sarasota this weekend and did not ever have time to go to Siesta Key. All the way home I was upset about not going until I have been reading these reports of Red Tide. Now, I don't feel so bad about missing one of my favorite beaches. I wish you all the best and hope it clears up for all of your vacations.

We are headed down to Lido Key Wed/ June 29th - July 6th. Can anyone shed some light as to the conditions of the red tide there? I have heard that there were dead puffer fish on the beach but not sure if this is the start or the tail end of this bout of Red Tide. It sounded like a few fish. I am traveling with small children and want to be prepared.

We have been to Lido for many years now and I can not remember this many bouts of red tide in one year. I am hoping that this is a scatter of fish brought in by this last storm. Please post any new info or tips prior to our trip.

Hello I am from Illinois and for the last 4 years we have been going to Seista Key. It truly is a wonderful place WHEN THE RED TIDE IS NOT THERE.... the first time we ever went the stench was awful and there was huge tractors cleaning up mounds of dead fish. We were staying a week only and by the end of the week we were finally able to stand the smell without holding our noses. It seems (not to insult tho) that residents tend to say "it's not too bad" but IT CAN BE... we had resv for July 9th and cancelled them we are going to Maimi instead... Why pay inflated prices when you REALLY cant enjoy the beach. After all isnt that why you are going???

As a resident--I have to clarify the issue of red tide one more time. Yes you can ask me on Monday if the red tide is bad--I could say "no" and then on Tuesday it is horrible. We are "NOT" trying to mislead you. We truly truly do not know. I could call you on a Monday and say how is the weather you could say great--and on Tuesday you have a blizzard---note the freaky snowstorms this year in the spring.

So once again, not being misleading, just truly do not know

I'll be arriving in Siesta Key on July 2 for a 'beach week' with the kids. If the red tide is still bad, how far north or south would I need to go to find a beach without red tide? Any recomendations for good spot?

Thank you!

We have reservations for Longboat Key starting July 2 and have also been following the Red Tide conditions. The website to get the conditions for the gulf coast is FloridaMarine.org. The next update will be posted on Friday, 7/1 in the afternoon. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that it goes away in a hurry!

Cascole, on this evening's news (in St. Pete on 6-30-05), they said the red tide extends from northern Pinellas County down to Sarasota, but don't know if it is bad on every single beach in all areas. I do know that the past couple days things have been smelling fishy in my neighborhood, I am very close to the water (southern Pinellas County, but on Tampa Bay), but don't know if that's what the smell is or not ... If you are coming down, be ready for some very hot and humid weather, and the usual afternoon thunderstorms. Thank God for air conditioning because it's like a sauna out there!!!

SiestaLinda, do you want to meet my wife and I on the Daquiri Deck? Sounds like we enjoy it equally. Your comments seem to comply with the owners of the hotel we are staying at. My understanding of this whole red tide thing is this ... some days are good, some days are bad. To everyone concerned about the red tide, travel to Englewood beach on a day that is bad, it's just about 20 minutes south of Sarasota. My friends in the Tampa/Sarasota area say there is no red tide down there. Good luck to everyone, I'll also be arriving in Siesta Key on the 2nd. Hope we are all happy :)

Thank you all for your input & the advice about a good beach to head to if we should encounter a 'bad' day on Siesta Key! I can't wait for that sauna - I'm one of those strange people that loves humidity. Thanks again & I'm sure we'll enjoy ourselves regardless!

TTT to catch up with more recent thread.

My family and I are headed to St.Pete Beach tonight. I have tried keeping up with red tide but finally decided not to worry about it! We are all excited about a very relaxing 7 days! It's been a tough week getting ready for this long trip(leaving from Knoxville TN) but oh my how it will be so worth it! Good Luck to all those headed down that way and enjoy your vacation!