Tar on Beach at Vero?

[doubletroublemom]

My neighbor and her family spent their spring break (first full week of April) at VB. She loved it, however, she didn't go to the beach once due to a problem with tar (I think in the sand?) Can anyone elaborate on this? She said one family's children were covered in tar, and they were scrubbing them to try to get it off while the kids were crying.

 

[madcoco]

Sorry to hear.Living part time in the area we have seen small tar balls sporadically show up on our beaches but never personally seen a serious problem.Was just at the resort last week and rubbed off some teeny tiny balls from the soles of the feet which you find on any coast in the US. Maybe an isolated incident.I haven't heard about any major problems in the area.

 

[vernon]

I've onl;y seen the small "tar balls" the previous poster talks about. As has been said these can be a problem on any beach. They do get worse after stormy/rough weather when the sea gets churned up. Usually, if it's a bad problem, there is a bottle of white spirit near to the shower as you exit the beach walkway. It can take a couple of days to completely remove some of the stubborn stains, but I think "covered" is likely to be an exageration, and I've had my kids screaming when being wahed to remove things no more stubborn than peanut butter, some kids just don't like being washed LOL.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Most of the beaches on the Gulf Coast have tar balls now and then. It usually is result of offshore drilling, but could be from a spill somewhere in the water. Usually you get tarry spots on the soles of your feet, or if you play in the sand, you might get tar on your bathing suit or legs. They wear off in a few days if you swim or bath each day.

 

[doubletroublemom]

It sounds like my neighbor may have been there at the wrong time. I am looking forward to giving Vero a try.