OT: Sunset

[hugabearjo]

I couldn't find anywhere to ask my question so I came back to my friends here at the family board. We are heading to WDW for free dining.... yeah... at the end of Sept. our plane arrives at 8:10 in Tampa Bay and I hear the sunsets over the gulf are fabulous. I love sunsets. so I was wondering what time sunset would be that time of year, I am crossing my fingers it is just late enough for us to grab our bags, rental car and go.

Also where is a nice beach on the gulf side? I think we will drive back to spend one day on the gulf coast.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Last trip (many years ago) we played on a beach on the Atlantic side and I have just learned how dangerous that is with the drop off etc. We are from Oregon where you don't swim in the ocean because it is just too cold, and rough. My only other experience with beaches is California where it is gradually slopes to the floor.

I don't want to make dumb mistakes again. My kids like to swim and get in the water. I don't want to have to say no.

Thanks for the great place to come and know that friends will help if they can.

 

[Mommyoftwo]

You'll be very close, but a bit too late. Here's the sunrise and sunset times for this week in Tampa.

Tampa, Florida, United States
Date Sunrise Sunset
Aug 14, 2007 7:00 AM 8:10 PM
Aug 15, 2007 7:01 AM 8:09 PM
Aug 16, 2007 7:01 AM 8:08 PM
Aug 17, 2007 7:02 AM 8:07 PM
Aug 18, 2007 7:02 AM 8:06 PM
Aug 19, 2007 7:03 AM 8:05 PM
Aug 20, 2007 7:03 AM 8:04 PM

Here's monthly predictions:

August 1st thru 31st 8:20 pm – 7:53 pm
September 1st thru 30th 7:52 pm – 7:18 pm

By the way, the Gulf beaches are fabulous! I can't ever remember a drop-off in the water (obviously there is, but much farther than most people would go). We go out far and never get past waist level. We've often been out at waist level with dolphins swimming around us (in Indian Rocks Beach and Madeira Beach). The sand is white powder and beautiful. Love Clearwater Beach and Indian Rocks Beach!

 

[hugabearjo]

Darn, it does look like we will be just a bit too late, an on our flight home we leave at 5:10 I think just slightly too early. We will have to make a special trip. Thanks for the beach suggestions I will check them out.

Did I understand you had wild dolphins swimming around. That would be very neat for the boys to see, even if we just saw wild dolphins. Is there also a place that is good to view wild Manatees, I love them.

I am getting excited just talking about it.

Disney and Beaches here we come

 

[Mommyoftwo]

I shouldn't have said "often" - I didn't realize I typed that. We have swam or played in the water while dolphins swam by a couple of times, not necessarily often. Sorry to confuse. But they were swimming by close enough that we were within 10 feet of them. And we've seen them up close at a pier, we could have been in the water there if we wanted too, it wasn't far out. Both of those times were in Madeira Beach, which is just a few miles south of Clearwater Beach. But every time we stay in Clearwater, Indian Rocks or Madeira Beach, we can see dolphins swimming by from our balcony daily. And they're fairly close. And the swimming area goes far out because the slope is so minimal. We've never seen a manatee in that area. I've only seen them down in Sanibel/Captiva/Fort Myers area. But when you make the drive from Tampa to Clearwater Beach (it's a long bridge), make sure to stare out at the water. You'll probably see dolphins jumping somewhere.

And there is a boat ride in Clearwater Beach that takes you dolphin sightseeing. You see lots. They stop the boat and the dolphins jump and swim right by the boat. You could reach out and touch them. It's called Dolphin Encounter. Very cool for kids!

Have fun!

 

[dyna]

While you may be to late for the actual sunset the sky might still be very colorful so it's worth a shot I'd say.