Swaying_Palms

Very informative and interesting thread. Thanks to all who have contributed. I am seriously reconsidering the area now.

A few comments and questions:

1. Thank you very much elsiemoo for suggesting the Trip Advisor Sanibel forum. Forgive the cliche but it was a real eye-opener. For those who haven't seen it, a number of long-time Sanibel and/or Captiva devotees have regretfully decided to go elsewhere because of how bad the Red Tide and Red Algae problem has become. There are also links to sites with much more information, including a description of the difference between Red Tide and Red Algae and articles about various clean-up and prevention efforts.

The vivid descriptions of her newfound paradise by the former Sanibel devotee who didn't want to disclose the new location almost had me drooling!

2. I had the same sentiments and thoughts which were expressed by others regarding the seeming absurdity of the idea that being just steps away from the beach one could somehow avoid being affected by not actually setting foot on the beach itself.

And the seeming absurdity of the very idea of _planning_ to vacation in such a place and avoid the beach. Though, on second thought, given the wildlife preserves there, perhaps the second idea in and of itself isn't so crazy after all.

3. My understanding is that _anywhere_ along the Gulf Coast is subject to these risks but that Sanibel , Captiva and Ft. Myers seem to be among the worse lately. Is this correct?

4. Regarding "The Panhandle" vs. "The Gulf Coast": Do I then understand correctly that even though the Panhandle is _technically_ on the Gulf Coast, when people refer simply to the "Gulf Coast" of FL they nonetheless are referring to the areas _below_ the Panhandle?

Bill_H

We booked a week in a beach-front cabin
at Sanibel a few years ago in Dec and it was during a red tide ... literally tons of dead fish littered the beach and when the wind blew from the water the stench was incredible.

I guess the odds are fairly low of hitting one any given week, but I'd check with the hotel or cabin manager before booking and see if their cancellation policy allows you to back out in case of a red tide event (probably most will not allow this, but worth asking).

Bill

Gekko

The problem with "reports" and "hotlines" is that red tide can be extremely localized. One hotel may be virtually inhabitable while, a half mile down the beach, all's well. And vice versa, of course.

If even the slight chance of red tide concerns you, go elsewhere; it's not worth the risk.

Gekko

that's "uninhabitable" ...

rhrd

Thank you for the info, I'll check it out. Since we want the Gulf, an island, and peace and quiet, that narrows down our choices. Also we would need four passports to go out of the U.S., we have thought about the Caribbean.

FYI, the cost of a week at Sanibel was less than a week at the Jersey Shore, but of course the high seasons are different. We were flabbergasted to see $2,000 per week for a 1 BR condo in Wildwood in June.

I also like the Fort Myers area, we felt that it was a relatively clean and friendly city.

I guess my point was more "IF" you decide to go, make sure there is a decent pool. That's how we are handling it, we go to Sundial or Casa Ybel and their pools are relatively nice.

As a final note, I didn't see much response to my "nice pools near a beach?" post

rhrd

"And the seeming absurdity of the very idea of _planning_ to vacation in such a place and avoid the beach. Though, on second thought, given the wildlife preserves there, perhaps the second idea in and of itself isn't so crazy after all.
"

Yes, forgot that point. But again on the red tide, maybe we've been lucky to only see a slight case of it out of 10 visits. And we have mostly visited in May. A chart with red tide occurrences in different months would be PRICELESS!

Swaying_Palms

Just want to make sure you realize that you can still go the USVI and Puerto Rico without a passport.

SuzieTrue

Bookmarking for future reference.

elsiemoo

rhrd, you said "But again on the red tide, maybe we've been lucky to only see a slight case of it out of 10 visits. And we have mostly visited in May. A chart with red tide occurrences in different months would be PRICELESS!"

I disagree. Red Tide and red algae have been freakishly bad on Sanibel on and off the last couple of years. You really couldn't base anything on a chart like that ... wish you could!

escargot

While I have not been on Sanibel during red tide/red algae durations, I have been on Marco Island when the beach has been affected - and while it did not affect my husband, I was miserable - coughing, breathing difficulties, all allergy type symptoms for days - even when at my moms pool which was two blocks from the beach - but I also have other allergies and he does not. However, I ended up visiting a physician the symptoms were so uncomfortable - and sitting inside with the a/c on or having to be inside stores for three or four days was disappointing -

also, regarding using the pool instead - just make sure beforehand that a 3 yr old is allowed in the pool - some resort/condo areas are very particular about toddlers in the pool, whether or not in diapers, use of flotation devices for them, and if there are adult times only in the pool or if they have a designated kiddie pool.

BuffaloGirl

I'm a Sanibel lover like many other posters, and have encountered red twice while vacationing there. One time was supposedly the "worst" case of red tide the island had ever experienced. It was a most unpleasant experience. The amount of dead fish was incredible. Our second experience was toward the end of the outbreak, and we found that some beaches were still bad, and some were just fine. Hit and miss I guess.

Both of those vacations were during Easter break. I've vacationed there probably 8 or nine times and, again, two of them were during red tide.

I just returned last from Sanibel last Monday evening. Spent several days on the beach and it was all clear. Saw dolphins chasing fish near the water's edge. But on my last day, Monday, there was red seaweed piled up. I was certainly disappointed, as it was my last day and I wanted to collect some shells.

There had been a nasty wind storm the day before, and I just assumed it was washed up from that!

Anyhow, my good times there have far outweighed the bad. I guess it's a crap shoot.

BuffaloGirl

Oops, in my first sentence I meant to say Ive "encountered red TIDE twice."