If you talk to the locals, the one thing that they all agree on is that the red tide this year is the worst they have ever experienced. From the greenish hues of the water at Lido to the sewer-like smells of Nokomis and the carcasses on the beach of Venice, there is no escape from the destruction that is known as red tide. Every aspect of life in Florida is impacted and for those who are new to the area, figuring out how to live here without going to the beach is frustrating. But, because of the amount of information that we can get from a simple Google search, it's easy to know which beaches to avoid and when.
Would-be beachgoers in the Sarasota region can go to the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County to get red tide information about the beach they want to go to, while state-wide information is available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. By taking a few minutes to do some research, people who play here can arm themselves with the information that they need to make an informed decision about whether to venture out to the beach that day. This simple act can have a significant impact on their health and well-being. It's definitely worth investing the time.
And a word to the wise…if you are suffering or have suffered from respiratory illnesses or weaknesses (i.e., former smokers), err on the side of caution and stay away from the beaches right now. There are plenty of air-conditioned locations that have fun things to do around here. There’s no sense in making yourself sick by exposing yourself to red tide. It’s just not worth it.
While we wait for the red tide to pass, try something different. Grab the kids and visit one of the splash pads in Sarasota or try a fun indoor activity. We've also got the botanical gardens in Sarasota or plenty of museums around the city to spend a day in.
If you're looking for more fun things to do in Sarasota, check us out at 941area. We're your free local guide to Sarasota and Bradenton!
Cover photo courtesy of Unsplash
