Warm water in FLA in may
 

I may go to Florida the last week in May, but that depends upon how warm the water is at that time of the year. Also, which particular areas would be the warmest and have the warmest water (a hotel / inn on the beach is a requirement?<BR><BR>Thanks.

The Gulf will be warmer than the Atlantic. And warmer the further south you go.<BR>

We were in FLL last year may/june and the water was nice in FLL. It was clear and gorgeous. Also went to the Gulf side. I liked FLL, the Atlantic much better. You also benefit from a sea breeze. It makes sitting on the beach tolerable.

What's FLL?

Airport designation for Ft. Lauderdale. Anyone notice how often these designations are being used as destinations? People talk about Los Angeles calling it LAX for example.

Hleesa:<BR><BR>I've been to the Ft. Lauderdale area in May (10-17) 2001 and the weather was like 90-95 and the water temp was warm. I easily got myself wet without a chill. I'd say the water temp is high 70s, low 80s. I did travel down to Miami and Key Biscayne and the water was like lukewarm bathwater. By May, the weather will have been 80s in Feb, Mar, Apr, therefore, giving the ocean water time to warm up.<BR><BR>

I'm lucky enough to live a block away from a beautiful beach in a little paradise called Siesta Key(Sarasota), Florida. Gulf water is much warmer than the Atlantic side. In May you will find yourself in total bliss hanging out on our beaches. Our beach fronts don't have nearly as much cement and asphalt as the other side, so if you like more of a tropical feel to your vacation, this is it. Oviously I recommend our paradise here(Siesta, Lido or Long Boat Keys), or if you want to go further south, Sanibel or Captiva Islands off Ft.Myers.<BR>Have a great trip!

Now that I know it'll be warm, I prefer a hotel on the beach, with places to eat within walking distance. I don't want to rent a car, and I'll be there alone, so I don't want to travel too far at night.<BR><BR>Any suggestions either on the Gulf or in Ft. Lauderdale? I can splurge a litte bit.

hleesa:<BR><BR>I am very biased, I love Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL (5 miles north of Ft. L) and it is on the ocean. It is a small peninsula area (1 mile x 1 mile). It is more quaint than Ft. L. No motel can have over 3 stories so it has a beachtown feel. El Mar Drive follows the ocean and there are many motels on this drive or A1A (which is alot noiser). A1A is one block from El Mar Drive and everything you need is within walking distance. There is a small mall with a grocery and drug store and specialty stores. There are many different places to eat at the intersection of Commerce, A1A and El Mar Drive. It is really nice to walk down El Mar Drive at night and it is a very safe town. My suggestion to you would be stay at either Coral Key Inn (coralkeyinn.com) or Blue Seas Courtyard (blueseascourtyard.com). Even though they are across the street from the ocean they don't feel like it because there are no highrises. Coral Key has direct access to the ocean as soon as you cross the street. If you want to stay definitely oceanfront, I'd suggest Little Inn By The Sea. It is a B&amp;B that gives you breakfast every morning and it is on the ocean. I don't know if you'd like this town but it is quieter and really quite pretty, I discovered it and was pleasantly surprised. <BR>

My fiance and I are planning our Honeymoon trip to the Lauderdale By-the-Sea area. We have an efficiency suite reserved at Tides Inn Oceanfront Resort on El Mar Drive. Has anyone ever been to this resort? What kind of businesses surround the resort. Is the beach nice there?

Hleesa:

I went to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in May 2001 and there was absolutely no need to get use to the water - it was lukewarm. When I went to Key Biscayne off Miami it was the same temp (77-83). The weather is/will be in the mid-90s by May. When I was in S. FL it never went below 90s. Even if the water is cooler than stated (I doubt that) any soak feels good in that kind of heat.

Thanks for still responding to my year-old question. I did end up going to FLL and found the water temperature to be perfect.