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23 Jan 20, 11:59 AM |
#1
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Trying for More Ears
Join Date: Sep 13
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Gulf Coast - Red tide & poor reviews
Hi
Sorry, slightly new to posting threads. Hope this is in the correct place. We're going back to Orlando again in June/July this year, with our last visit being 2017. We wanted to go to the Gulf coast for a few days this time, but have been put off by some of the reviews. We were looking at anywhere between Clearwater to Siesta Key and have been reading about the red tide, the flesh eating bacteria, the drunken kids on the beach, the deterioration over the last few years. So we're really disappointed. Is it really that bad? As I see that people are still going there. If it is that bad, would you recommend any other beach area, even if it is on the East coast? Many thanks Ally |
23 Jan 20, 12:12 PM |
#2
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Excited about Disney
Join Date: Sep 19
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At this time there are no traces of algae anywhere around Clearwater, St Pete's etc. This could change of course by the summer but I don't think you should be put off by anything. Some of the nicest beaches you can find anywhere are along the west coast.
Edit just to add, Clearwater can get very busy of course but it is a massive beach area. I have never had any problems with youths drinking etc and I've been during Spring Break. Id probably avoid it personally just due to the traffic problems there as there are miles and miles of perfect beaches all around there. You could always book a refundable hotel and cancel nearer the time if there is any kind of outbreak again. Then just switch to the East coast. Edited at 12:16 PM. |
23 Jan 20, 01:01 PM |
#3
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Imagineer
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Red tide is something that comes up to a greater or lesser degree on a more frequent basis but nobody can tell you when. It affected us for a while two years ago but not last year. I've never seen drunken youths on any beach ever. Most beaches that I visit tend to have local by-laws that prohibit this and plenty of people around who will immediately report antisocial behaviour. We tend to visit Caspersen Beach a lot to look for shark teeth.
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I'm going to live forever! Triple bypass done - so far so good! |
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23 Jan 20, 01:56 PM |
#4
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Apprentice Imagineer
Join Date: Oct 10
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I have been lucky enough to have been going to the Gulf Coast for about 15 years in May /June and July. Only once in that time, which was some 10 years ago has there been Red Tide which was on Boca Grande Island and lasted for less than a week. The following website will help anybody looking to visit the Beach on the Gulf Coast
visitbeaches this is run by the Mote People and when you click beaches, this site is updated 10 am and 3 pm (Florida Time) every day”. I have never seen drunken youths or heard about it in our area. Clearwater could be different especially at Spring break. Hank Edited at 02:01 PM. |
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23 Jan 20, 02:00 PM |
#5
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Imagineer
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Red Tide was awful in August 2018. I don't suffer from Asthma but I really struggled with the smell/gasses at Anna Maria Island. As soon as we got anywhere near the beach we were coughing!
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23 Jan 20, 02:01 PM |
#6
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Imagineer
Join Date: Dec 10
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Have a look at Anna Maria Island, it is a bit further, but stunning and very quiet, especially the north of the island. There are no large hotels etc there, just condos and small 10-20 apartment type rentals.
We stayed at the one below before and will again. It ain't luxury, but it is decent enough, nice staff and most importantly a fantastic location. sunrisegardenresort/ |
23 Jan 20, 02:30 PM |
#7
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Thread Starter
Trying for More Ears
Join Date: Sep 13
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Thanks everyone for your replies.
We're concerned about spending a lot of money & then the red tide spoiling it all...my daughter is wanting to study marine biology and so she would like to go on a dolphin tour, see the manatees etc... so is AMI or CWater better for that? Although we're not keen on CWater now due to the traffic etc... We're going to New York first, then the Gulf coast possibly... then onto Orlando, so we wanted a chill time before going onto Orlando. But don't want to get ill at the Gulf if the red tide is there, as my son already suffers with asthma... I know we could book somewhere and then cancel nearer the time and rebook elsewhere if needs be, but we risk there not being anything available at short notice and I just want to get everything booked and just enjoy the countdown. Too many decisions... |
23 Jan 20, 02:59 PM |
#8
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Apprentice Imagineer
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We just got back from AMI on Monday - it's our favourite coastal place in the USA; we've been many, many times since 1999.
I can assure you we have never encountered drunken behaviour on the beach. There is also a zero noise policy after 9pm. There are loads of charter boats to take you out to see the dolphins and they don't cost a fortune. We have stayed at the Beach Resort apartments twice in the past 12 months: castnetters/ Our only wish is that we'd found it years ago. The owners are fabulous, the apartments are beautifully decorated, spotlessly clean and have every amenity you could possibly need and their prices are really reasonable. Take a look at the website - and check them out on TripAdvisor and Airbnb. Edited at 03:01 PM. |
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23 Jan 20, 08:17 PM |
#9
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Thread Starter
Trying for More Ears
Join Date: Sep 13
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Thank you for the accommodation recommendations, they look lovely, but I'm afraid they're all booked for our dates...
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23 Jan 20, 08:23 PM |
#10
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Thread Starter
Trying for More Ears
Join Date: Sep 13
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