Anna Maria Red Tide

[singerella]

We arrived last night on AMI, its noticeably quieter around the island. Only briefly visited the beach this morning, bay side not so bad, no smell but a few dead fish Gulf side is worse, quite smelly and lot more dead fish. So sad I'm glad we have a decent pool at the villa and the island is still beautiful its just really sad seeing the usually idyllic beaches far from it

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by singerella

We arrived last night on AMI, its noticeably quieter around the island. Only briefly visited the beach this morning, bay side not so bad, no smell but a few dead fish Gulf side is worse, quite smelly and lot more dead fish. So sad I'm glad we have a decent pool at the villa and the island is still beautiful its just really sad seeing the usually idyllic beaches far from it

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Again, I apologise for being the bearer of bad news, my guess; many didn't expect the toxic/blue-green cyanobacteria fall-out from Lake O, which is significantly worse due to lingering red tide, to cover such a large area of W/SW Fl. Unfortunately it may continue until the Army Corps cease 2018 discharges. I'm pleased you've a nice pool at the villa and can make the best of that time, I appreciate some beaches, in the main, are off limits, but I'd hate to see you/your family fall ill due to what some Floridians are viewing as a deliberate lack of information in an attempt to keep Fl coffers filled by tourist.

Had email from an island friend, she said tourism is way down, island/area businesses/restaurants are hurting, the whole scenario is a mess.

Singerella, may you have a smashing holiday

[Moorlandman]

I was shocked but not surprised that their was no warnings on the beach at Anna Maria Island. I only realised when I started coughing and remembered hearing about red tide on the local tv news. This was early August

[JoJoBell]

Not in any real panic as not due to arive for another 8 weeks

So sad for all of the local businesses, it must be affecting them terribly

DH has COPD due to an enzyme deficiency and has to avoid all lung irritants so it is a concern

Hopefully things will improve very soon

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by Moorlandman

I was shocked but not surprised that their was no warnings on the beach at Anna Maria Island. I only realised when I started coughing and remembered hearing about red tide on the local tv news. This was early August

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Hi Moorlandman - I think this is why so many are angry, there appeared to be an attempt to brush it under the carpet, yes, it's understandable that Fl's main income is tourism but not at the cost of visitors and citizens health.

Originally Posted by JoJoBell

Not in any real panic as not due to arive for another 8 weeks. So sad for all of the local businesses, it must be affecting them terribly.

DH has COPD due to an enzyme deficiency and has to avoid all lung irritants so it is a concern.

Hopefully things will improve very soon.

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Hiya JoJo - 8 weeks should see much improvement, hopefully Lake O discharges will be done for the year, the area will be clear and you'll have a smashing holiday If you head to a beach perhaps you go ahead of hubs and check the air, if you get a throat irritation don't stay. JoJo, did you see the list of places to visit in Fort Myers/SW Fl that I prepared about 18 month ago? There may be some alternatives that'll interest you and hubs.

We arrive mid Nov and anticipate red tide may still be lingering on, but, as per last winter, it won't be an issue.

[JoJoBell]

Originally Posted by ChrisS

Hi Moorlandman - I think this is why so many are angry, there appeared to be an attempt to brush it under the carpet, yes, it's understandable that Fl's main income is tourism but not at the cost of visitors and citizens health.



Hiya JoJo - 8 weeks should see much improvement, hopefully Lake O discharges will be done for the year, the area will be clear and you'll have a smashing holiday If you head to a beach perhaps you go ahead of hubs and check the air, if you get a throat irritation don't stay. JoJo, did you see the list of places to visit in Fort Myers/SW Fl that I prepared about 18 month ago? There may be some alternatives that'll interest you and hubs.

We arrive mid Nov and anticipate red tide may still be lingering on, but, as per last winter, it won't be an issue.

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Thanks Chris

Sure it will be absolutely fine. As I said no panic yet.

His COPD is very mild and would probably not bother him at the time... more of a long term thing

No, I didn’t see your post... can you link it for me ?

We aren’t ones for lying around on a beach or by a pool... way too much to see and do !

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by JoJoBell

Thanks Chris

Sure it will be absolutely fine. As I said no panic yet.

His COPD is very mild and would probably not bother him at the time... more of a long term thing

No, I didn’t see your post... can you link it for me ?

We aren’t ones for lying around on a beach or by a pool... way too much to see and do !

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Here you go JoJo - some of these may whet your appitite

Depending on when, and where, you are in SW Fla, Cape Coral has a water park, Sunsplash. sunsplashwaterpark/

Naples is a nice place to check out too - soft white beach and long pier - naplesdowntown/naples-pier.htm
Naples conservancy - conservancy/
Tin City in Naples - tin-city/
Corkscrew Swamp - corkscrew.audubon/
Ding Darling on Sanibel (closed Fridays) dingdarlingsociety/
Edison Ford Estate in Fort Myers - edisonfordwinterestates/
Boat trips/dolphin watching/sunset cruises; from Captiva to Cabbage Key - captivacruises/
Casino Big M boat from Fort Myers Beach - bigmcasino/fort-myers-beach/
Everglades National Park boat tours - evergladesnationalparkboa...gulfcoast/
Babcock Ranch, on SR31 between Fort Myers and Arcadia - babcockwilderness/#!home/mainPage
Octagon wildlife sanctuary, just off SR31 between Fort Myers & Punta Gorda; Lauri Caron is an incredible lady who provides home to a multitude of animals, from exotic tigers, a rare black leopard, lions, bears, wolves to donkeys, goats, chickens, ducks, racoons, gators et al - check out the website video. The citizens/local big & small businesses donate food, supplies, manpower to keep them all fed. All volunteers happily donate their time, some for 10 plus years, ensuring the majority of monies collected cares for the animals. Open Sat & Sun and by appointment Mon to Fri - octagonwildlife/
Fort Myers tourist website - fortmyers-sanibel/?gc...FdY8gQodTo8ACA
Visit Florida website - visitflorida/en-us/ci...ort-myers.html
Muscle Car City, Punta Gorda - musclecarcity/
Shopping anyone? Miramar Outlets with over 140 top designer outlet stores - miromaroutlets-px.smrtlnk/
Sanibel Outlets - sanibeloutlets/

If you like music then the top SW Fla band is Deb & the Dynamics - boy they're good. Take a look at their schedule - debandthedynamics/bandschedule.html
We winter on Pine Island and see them at Berts Bar on Matlacha Thursday nights but like to head for Doc Fords on a Sunday (under Fort Myers Beach Bridge docfordsfortmyersbeach/) as they play outdoors from 1 to 4pm - or on a Friday night 6 to 9pm at Pinchers @ Wyndham Hotel where they play on Estero beach. Extremely professional band, Deb sings like Janis Joplin, take a peek here - the sax players wander into the audience when playing - there's no charge to these venues, eat, drink or drink, don't eat, nobody cares, just go, watch this excellent band and have a good time.

[DeniseC]

We are due to stay in the Rotunda area in 3 weeks time. Stayed around this area several times before. Such a beautiful area, amazing beaches and peaceful and quiet,( especially as we are off to Orlando afterwards!)
Just hope we can find a ‘safe’ beach to enjoy during our stay. Have witnessed mild red tide before but this sounds so much worse. You have to feel sorry for all the people involved in tourism in the area, not to mention the loss of all the sea life. Very sad to see .

[JoJoBell]

Originally Posted by ChrisS

Here you go JoJo - some of these may whet your appitite

Depending on when, and where, you are in SW Fla, Cape Coral has a water park, Sunsplash. sunsplashwaterpark/

Naples is a nice place to check out too - soft white beach and long pier - naplesdowntown/naples-pier.htm
Naples conservancy - conservancy/
Tin City in Naples - tin-city/
Corkscrew Swamp - corkscrew.audubon/
Ding Darling on Sanibel (closed Fridays) dingdarlingsociety/
Edison Ford Estate in Fort Myers - edisonfordwinterestates/
Boat trips/dolphin watching/sunset cruises; from Captiva to Cabbage Key - captivacruises/
Casino Big M boat from Fort Myers Beach - bigmcasino/fort-myers-beach/
Everglades National Park boat tours - evergladesnationalparkboa...gulfcoast/
Babcock Ranch, on SR31 between Fort Myers and Arcadia - babcockwilderness/#!home/mainPage
Octagon wildlife sanctuary, just off SR31 between Fort Myers & Punta Gorda; Lauri Caron is an incredible lady who provides home to a multitude of animals, from exotic tigers, a rare black leopard, lions, bears, wolves to donkeys, goats, chickens, ducks, racoons, gators et al - check out the website video. The citizens/local big & small businesses donate food, supplies, manpower to keep them all fed. All volunteers happily donate their time, some for 10 plus years, ensuring the majority of monies collected cares for the animals. Open Sat & Sun and by appointment Mon to Fri - octagonwildlife/
Fort Myers tourist website - fortmyers-sanibel/?gc...FdY8gQodTo8ACA
Visit Florida website - visitflorida/en-us/ci...ort-myers.html
Muscle Car City, Punta Gorda - musclecarcity/
Shopping anyone? Miramar Outlets with over 140 top designer outlet stores - miromaroutlets-px.smrtlnk/
Sanibel Outlets - sanibeloutlets/

If you like music then the top SW Fla band is Deb & the Dynamics - boy they're good. Take a look at their schedule - debandthedynamics/bandschedule.html
We winter on Pine Island and see them at Berts Bar on Matlacha Thursday nights but like to head for Doc Fords on a Sunday (under Fort Myers Beach Bridge docfordsfortmyersbeach/) as they play outdoors from 1 to 4pm - or on a Friday night 6 to 9pm at Pinchers @ Wyndham Hotel where they play on Estero beach. Extremely professional band, Deb sings like Janis Joplin, take a peek here - the sax players wander into the audience when playing - there's no charge to these venues, eat, drink or drink, don't eat, nobody cares, just go, watch this excellent band and have a good time.

See more...

Thank you Chris

Some great ideas there

[smithlane]

We arrived on AMI yesterday, the island is like a ghost town. We had dinner up at the Rod and Reel pier and the water was lovely and clear. We were the only ones in the restaurant though which is unheard of!
The Bay side certainly seems better. Took a walk to the beach off of Magnolia Ave entrance this afternoon and apart from one other group we were the only ones there. The water had a slight tinge to it and there were a few dead fish and eels washed up.
On a more positive note we saw a pod of 3 dolphins and 3 manatees whist we were up by the pier. First time seeing manatees in the wild, I’ll admit I did get a little emotional! I then went to a turtle hatchling release last night down on Coquina beach. Was amazing to witness!