Vero Beach's Beach?

[Swood89083]

I had read on another Board that the Beach at VB was really not that good. I was wanting some other peoples opinion that had been there. We are going at the end of June for three days before we go to BCV for 5. They mentioned that the beach was narrow and that it dropped off quick once you hit the water which limited the wading opportunities. They also said it made it more dangerous to swim. I will have my 12 and 15 yeard old sons with me. They are good swimmers but I certainly do not want to put them in a bad situation. We are really looking forward to it.

Sam

 

[Margie J]

Yes, the beach is long and narrow. In addition the undertow can be quite strong and sometimes the guards will call everyone to shore because of it.

It sounds like your boys will be fine though. They are old enough to handle it. All sorts of watercraft and surf boards are available for rent and many older kids and adults have a great time out in the waves. It's the younger kids and toddlers that I wouldn't let out too far at Vero.

 

[CarolMN]

Just FYI - there are no lifeguards on the beach in front of the resort.

However, there is a public beach just to the north of the resort. It's a pleasant walk - about 1/4 - 1/2 mile if you walk along the beach. There are lifeguards there. We often sit on the beach in front of Vero and watch the boogie boarders that frequent that beach.

Anyway, if you are really worried about your boys, you could check the hours for the lifeguards and have them swim there.

Best wishes -

 

[floridafam]

Just returned from Vero. The beach was much bigger than last year at this time or even October of last year. I think by about 15-20 feet or more. I believe they completed a beach restoration project near the resort during that time.

I've never had a complaint about the beach at Vero. Many people enjoyed the beach this trip, including my family.

The new ramp and stairs to the beach are very nice.

Of course, the beach will look different at high and low tide.

I don't know what they mean by a drop off. There are "dunes" that sit between the resort and the beach but they are only about 4 or 5 feet high. These help protect against erosion and I don't believe people are supposed to walk on them.

My Dh swam almost every day we were there. Sure, there are days when the ocean may not be very calm

We saw dolphin and sea turtles during our stay. It was amazing.

 

[mbhoxsie]

I usually swim in the beach everytime we are at VB... Plus my DS and I go on rock hunts, and usually take the beach walks with the CM's...

IMHO, the beach is great... I would be worried that if were any bigger, it'd attract more of the local resort crashers.

I wouldn't have younger kids swim in it due to the rip tides... But the CM's post the warnings on the chalkboard on the boardwalk showing the day's rip tide strength, and like CarolMN mentioned, there is a public beach just a very short walk up the way that is staffed by lifeguards.

 

[ahoff]

We were there right before Memorial Day. Thought the beach was nice, but as mentioned, no lifeguards. It is narrow, but nice to lay on. All sorts of things to rent, jet skis, boogie boards, lounges, etc. We went in the water everyday, no undertow to speak of. It did drop off, you would go in up to your calf or knee, the next step you were in to your waist. There was also a strip of shells and pebbles near the water's edge and steps that made walking difficult for me. But that was my fault, should have worn my sandels! It didn't stop either of the kids, my daughter spent most of the day in the ocean.

Compared to our Eastern LI beaches, I think we have bigger waves and sandier, wider beaches. Could be a seasonal thing. Nevertheless we loved VB and will be going back!

 

[ClarabelleCow]

does anyone know why they don't have lifeguards at the beach??

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by ClarabelleCow
does anyone know why they don't have lifeguards at the beach??

I don't know for sure, but it seems like an unnecessary expense to me. After all, there are lifeguards at the pool and it is only a short walk to the public beach which does have lifeguards.

Of course, I am assuming that VB guests will use some common sense.


JMHO. YMMV.

 

[buzz5985]

A rip tide and an undertow are different. A rip tide does not pull you under the water. You cannot swim against a rip tide. Let it carry you out. Or if you are a strong swimmer, swim parrallel to shore, then when you are out of the rip tide swim into shore. Here is a website that explains it and shows pictures of what to look for. I was caught in one when I was about 10. My Father swam out (ex-navy diver) grabbed me by my hair and pulled. Ouch.

http://www.floridadisaster.org/hwa03/rip_current.htm

 

[vernon]

Even if they are good swimmers there are still a number of dangers that you should make them aware of. Vero does get some strong tides and how to deal with those situations is very important. Just a little north of the hotel area there is an inlet to the Intra coastal water way (maybe this is where the life guards are). It would make sense to me if the life guards were in that area as the tides by the inlet are stronger than nearer to the hotel as the water flow is channeled through the inlet. Another danger they should be aware of is that you do get sharks in the area, again they tend to like the area by that inlet because the baitfish are forced through the inlet in relatively high concentrations. It's worth underlining to the boys that if they see any activity like bait fish jumping out the water in the area Do not go swimming in the sea, they don't jump out the water for fun, they are doing so because they are being chased by something that wants to eat them. Could be dolphins, could be a shark.

Shark attacks in the area are not common, but do occur, usually it's the shark making a mistake when chasing small fish and the result is a bite that requires a few stitches, but there have been fatalities in that area and while it's not something that people need to get unduly worried about, it is something that all kids should be aware of and they should be told what signs to look out for.

 

[johare]

Originally posted by Margie J
Yes, the beach is long and narrow. In addition the undertow can be quite strong and sometimes the guards will call everyone to shore because of it.

It sounds like your boys will be fine though. They are old enough to handle it. All sorts of watercraft and surf boards are available for rent and many older kids and adults have a great time out in the waves. It's the younger kids and toddlers that I wouldn't let out too far at Vero.

How is the beach itself there? I've heard that the sand is fairly course. Is the sand something the kids can still play in and make sandcastles out of? Since I live in Florida I've been to many of the other beaches (ie, Clearwater, St. Pete, Fort Myers, New Symrna, Daytona, Cocoa, Key West, etc...), just never been down to Vero Beach.