Vero Beach--ocean

[WDWNewbie]

We are DVC Hilton Head lovers and will be going back for our third trip this fall, but next fall (2006) we are thinking of changing things up and trying Vero Beach.

On another thread I was reading about 'riptides' at VB.

Is this common? How far can you safely go out and 'boogie board' at Vero?

It sounds lovely to have the beach 'right there' and not have to drive to a beach club (although that's really no big deal).

Any feedback? Any other diffierences between Vero & HH worth comparing??

 

[spiceycat]

yes looking out at the ocean from your inn room.

 

[WDWNewbie]

spiceycat,

If we book a 2 bedroom do they have nice views too?

 

[JimMIA]

On another thread I was reading about 'riptides' at VB.

Is this common? How far can you safely go out and 'boogie board' at Vero?

With the topography of most Atlantic coast beaches in Florida, we typically get rip tides when there is a strong wind directly out of the East. Our prevailing winds are from the Southeast, so we don't get rip tides often.

Rip tides can be quite strong, even in very shallow water near shore. Often, in those situations, lifeguards will advise people to stay out of the water entirely.

 

[westjones]

Rip tides can be quite strong, even in very shallow water near shore. Often, in those situations, lifeguards will advise people to stay out of the water entirely.

I didn't think there were any lifeguards at Disney's Vero Beach. The ocean there worries me too. I have read on this board about there being a large drop off at some point when you go out in the water a bit. I also read about a little girl that was bit on the hand by a shark there once (don't really know details, but she was staying at Disney's Vero Beach). Then there were some comments about an under tow that is strong.

We went this year and my girls mostly played in the sand. We were only there for 1 day, so I didn't notice any problems, but I did worry about it.

I have wondered if the shoreline is safer at Hilton Head also. We may try that instead. The problem is, we want to travel in March most of the time, and it can be a bit cool at HH in March.

DJ

 

[ramkam]

We just came back from Vero. We also spent a week at Hilton Head last summer. I did not notice any rip of any consequence. Being from Southern California, we are amused by people thinking the small shore break at Vero, or Hilton Head for that matter, amounts to any kind of surf. My wife suggested that an inner tube or other "floaty" would be more appropriate for Vero because you cannot really ride a Boogie Board there. We like both resorts, however, we consider both beaches to be "A" tickets when it comes to surf.

 

[JimMIA]

We just came back from Vero. We also spent a week at Hilton Head last summer. I did not notice any rip of any consequence. Being from Southern California, we are amused by people thinking the small shore break at Vero, or Hilton Head for that matter, amounts to any kind of surf. My wife suggested that an inner tube or other "floaty" would be more appropriate for Vero because you cannot really ride a Boogie Board there. We like both resorts, however, we consider both beaches to be "A" tickets when it comes to surf.

Even as a native Floridian, I have to agree. The only place in Florida that I've seen any decent surf (other than during a hurricane) is the area from Satellite Beach, through Cocoa Beach, and up to Cape Canaveral. And even that doesn't compare to the Pacific Coast.

 

[PamOKW]

There are no lifeguards on the beach at Vero but there is a guarded public beach just a few yards north. You can check conditions on the posted Disney board or with the lifeguards.

The actual beach at Vero is much "smaller" than at Hilton Head. I don't know what term to use "natural" is what comes to my mind. It's not a beach where you are competing with folks who come for the day.

But, when it comes to the ocean -- it's the Atlantic ocean at HHI and at Vero. They both have all the dangers of riptides, dropoffs, sea creatures and you need to treat the ocean with respect. I've seen the surf at Vero in different modes from glasslike -- more like a lake -- to a pretty good surf that local surfers were enjoying. No, it's not the crashing waves of CA but it can get some good rollers.

 

[westjones]

We don't have them here that I have seen (in the Midwest and land-locked). I am wondering if there is a place near the VB resort that we can just buy boogie boards for the kids AND approximately how much are they?

Thanks
DJ

 

[SnowWitch]

You can purchase boards at Wal-mart about 10 min from the resort. Price anywhere from $15 on up. You can also rent them at the resort for $9 per day.

 

[westjones]

You can purchase boards at Wal-mart about 10 min from the resort. Price anywhere from $15 on up. You can also rent them at the resort for $9 per day.

Thanks!
DJ

 

[MiaSRN62]

We were actually able to boogie board when we stayed at Vero in Aug '00. They also post rip tide warnings (along with shark and man 'o war warnings)at the entrance to the beach. Never had any the week we were there.
Not sure if a certain time of the year is better than others for waves, but there were some waves during our stay (nothing major). It was enought to have some fun with. As for the drop off I don't recall. We had to swim WAY OUT in the water to board the jet skis we rented. I believe there may have been a small drop off. I actually took a picture of my son boogie boarding but it's on our old computer. I'd have to dig up the pic and rescan it. I do have this pic however that shows there is a small amount of surf there :

 

[DVC Jen]

We were just there in June and I was amazed that the drop off was gone. I hated that thing.. being as short as I am I it made a huge difference for me.

Maybe ONE good thing came from those horrible hurricanes (getting rid of that darned drop off).

 

[westjones]

We were just there in June and I was amazed that the drop off was gone. I hated that thing.. being as short as I am I it made a huge difference for me.

Maybe ONE good thing came from those horrible hurricanes (getting rid of that darned drop off).

Oh, that is good to hear!
DJ

 

[spiceycat]

all ocean and gulf can have a rip tide. I think even the bigger lakes????

pay attention to the flag - you can see it from the beach in front of VB and you should be fine.

the inn rooms are guaranteed a ocean view. the villas are not. Now there are some 2-bedroom with an ocean view. but not that many.

I would go for 2 inn rooms adjoining.

HH was definitely a tamer ocean when we went in Nov than VB in Oct. I don't know why.

but I hate the big waves - very pretty to look at - but awful if you want to be in the ocean.

I like the gulf side (Tampa - Panhandle). It is very tame unless there is a storm (like right now) - then I would not go near it either. the Gulf side also has warmer waters for most of the year than the ocean side.

 

[scootert]

We've been to both HH and Vero and prefer Vero. Differences we noticed were: The beach at HH is larger and the ocean seemed calmer to us. If we had little ones, I'd watch them very closely at Vero --- tides just seemed a lot stronger to us.

We love having the beach right "outside" our door at Vero and Vero is usually warmer. We went to HH in early May one year and it was very cool to us (Now, we live in south Texas so warm and cool take on totally different meanings for us!!)

Overall, you can't miss with either resort - each has it's charm.

 

[Halle]

Are there lifeguards on the Disney VB beach? I hope so!!!

 

[spiceycat]

the pool has a lifeguard (because it has a slide).

there are no lifeguards on VB beach.

there is down around 200 feet a lifeguard on the public beach.

that is where to look for the flag.


very few people will go in this ocean at VB - it just looks more dangerous than the same ocean does at HH

 

[jeanniec]

We have ownerships at both VB & HH (as well as OKW). After our first trip to HH, we have not been back to VB. It is great to have a room on the ocean (we always booked oceanfron inn rooms), but the beach at HH is so much bigger and cleaner and never seems crowded. Also like the proximity of many restaurants at HH. You have to drive quite a distance to get to any restaurants other than those at the Inn which are nice, but a little too expensive and with limited menus for a week's stay. We did plan to visit VB last October after our DCL cruise, but the hurricane closed the resort down then. We will probably try again after our Magic cruise in October 2006 since the resort is so close to Port Canaveral. Otherwise, we much prefer HH. I do think it is a good idea for you to visit VB, however, if you have never been there before.