Swimming in the Ocean in November

[auntkelly]

We're going to Disney World for four days and then Dayton Beach for four days during Thanksgiving week. Will we be comfortable swimming in the ocean in November? My kids rarely get to go to the ocean, so I'm sure they'll want to swim even if it's freezing!

 

[bethinks2]

We visited the Cocoa Beach area in 1999 during the Thanksgiving holiday, and it was pretty chilly, but my kids swam anyway! The water was somewhat rough during our 2 days there, so they did not venture out too far. Keep in mind the locals told us it was much cooler than the "normal" November weather- so hopefully you will have warmer weather. Have fun!

 

[LKS]

My husband's cousins from Nebraska swam in the ocean one year when they visited us in Jacksonville, FL over Thanksgiving. I had a couple month old infant, so I didn't even go out to the beach, but they were fine and happy. I think if you went to a gulf beach it might even be warmer. The air temp varies a lot, but most people who aren't from the wimpy south could probably take the water.

 

[auntkelly]

Thanks for your replies. I'm sure my husband and kids will want to swim even if it is a little chilly. I may be watching them from the shore!

 

[zurgswife]

OOOOOO...the thought gives me goose bumps...LOL

 

[Seahunt]

We've had a strange event this summer - it's called an "updwelling" and brings the cold ocean water from the depths up to the surface. Some days the ocean temp here has been 65 degrees! Brrr! Nothing like the usual summer warmth -this has even been a problem with newly hatched sea turtles, they don't want to go in the cold water, so the beach patrol has had to round them up by the hundreds and take them way out to sea to release them (which they don't like to do BTW, because it doesn't "imprint" the baby turtles where to return to lay their eggs).

Anyway, even with the cold water, the beach has been busy, with lots of brave swimmers, so I bet your kids will still enjoy!

 

[auntkelly]

Actually, my husband was born and raised in Alaska, I'm sure he'd say 65 degree ocean temperature is just about right for a refreshing swim! I'm a completely different story though, I'll be on the beach reading a book if its the least bit chilly. My kids so rarely get the chance to swim in the ocean, I don't think cool weather or anything else (except maybe a shark sighting) would keep them out of the water. Thanks everyone for all of the info. Seahunt, is there any chance we will see any sea turtles in November?

 

[Seahunt]

Well, turtle season runs from May 15 - October 31, so doubt if you'll see any action on the beach, unless there's some sleepyheads lol!

A great visit you should make with the kids if you're in the area would be to the new Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet (south end, down by the lighthouse) where they rehabilitate sick and injured sea turtles. Here's a link:

http://echotourism.com/msc/

 

[auntkelly]

Seahunt, thank you for the link to the Marine Science Center. We'll definately visit there when we're in Daytona Beach this November. The Science Center's website had some really good links to other places of interest in Daytona Beach.