Red Tide Question
 

We are planning on returning to Siesta Key for our summer vacation. We haven't been in the last six years. The last time we were there, I don't think I had ever heard of red tide. Since I'm a teacher, our vacation is limited to June and July. Is one month or time better than the other for avoiding red tide? While I know it isn't a guarantee, I'd rather travel at a time when it might be less likely.

Thanks

Six of one, half dozen of the other ... but red tide <i>might</i> be more likely when water temps are higher ... which is July compared to June.

(But I was just on Sanibel last week and saw a very localized fish kill that might have been red tide related. You just never know ... so don't worry about it.)

I agree that it's usually worse later in the summer when the water is warmest (but keep in mind that it was bad all summer in 2005, so it's a crapshoot). Here is a link to check local water conditions. Siesta Key is in Sarasota County.

http://floridamarine.org/features/vi...p?id=9670#Stat

We went to St. Pete's Beach in June 2005 and red tide was really bad. I pretty much think you should go there with the notion that you will see lots of dead fish and you may not want to go into the ocean. Global warming is bad!

Not only was it around in summer, it was here for a solid year in 2005. Awful.

But things are much better currently - the water is teeming with life, no sign at all of red tide - I was kayaking just yesterday.

Of course, it is truly a crapshoot. Just like hurricane season.

And please, ashandjim, don't go there. The cause of red tide is so far unknown, and has never been linked to global warming.

OOps, sorry, I just reposted this question because I couldn't find the original thread. Thanks for the advice.