During the months of January, February and March is the Gulf water between Naples and Clearwater warm enough to comfortably swim in? Our Cape Cod water has to be near 70 degrees F before we enjoy swimming.

Thanks for any information, J&J

Try this link:
http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/egof.html and this one:
http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/

Gulf is too cold for me this time of year although you do see people going in occasionally...I of course prefer the Gulf temps in late spring. September Gulf temp feels like a spa....LMF

Average water temperatures at Naples:

January: 66 degrees F
February: 66 degrees F
March: 71 degrees F

LMF: ...and I thought you liked spas!

My Cape Cod father-in-law loves the winter waters here in Treasure Island. If you love swimming, invest in one of those "rashguard" shirts that surfers wear. They're thin and comfortable, and keep you toasty in chilly water.

The Gulf Stream is a migratory current that runs clockwise along the Gulf of Mexico in Florida bringing the warmer waters from Central America. This keeps the Gulf waters comfortable for snowbirds, although a bit chilly for the locals. That same current rounds the southern tip of Florida and continues on up the coast -- but at that point it mixes with colder Atlantic waters. The shallowness of the Gulf of Mexico also helps keep the waters warm.

Even more important are the sunny Florida skies. But don't forget your sunscreen, even in the winter.

Gulf temp Dec. 29 62. Cold for swimming, but fine for shallow walking and shelling. Naples and Marco Island will have much warmer water than Clearwater. Water is usually nice by March, but I'm a Floridian.

On my morning beach walk this morning in Naples, I passed three people in the water. Obviously they're either braver souls than I am or just some more "crazy northerners"!