Gulf coast red tide????

[tinkerdorabelle]

We're planning a couple days most likely in Clearwater this trip. What the heck is red tide?? Just came acrossed it doing searches on the area. Is red tide going on now in that area near Clearwater, anyone know? We're planning our trip end of April, is that the time of red tide, or does it just come sporadically? Any info appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Evans Family]

Red tide is an algea bloom in the water which cause some fish to die. You will see some dead fish along the beach.

It also causes a strange odor in the air that makes some people caugh.

You can still swim in the water and it is not harmful to humans.

Just an inconvienence...not the best of conditions but also not enough to ruin your trip.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

the reason you're seeing so much of it is because the bloom last year was enormous and wouldn't break up. there were massive fish kills. clearwater's been fine for months.

 

[sammi]

We experienced Red Tide for the first time in 2004 whe we stayed at Fort Myers Beach, and although we didn't smell anything we (all 8 of us) would start coughing like we had been smokers all our lives everytine we walked the beach. It was the strangest thing and it was so sad to see all kinds of dead marine life washed up to the shores.