Tag Archives: Venice Florida

Red Tide is Engulfing West Florida

Red tide is really bad right now in southwest Florida. According to reporting by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and the University of South Florida, the concentrations of the bacteria called red tide are at high levels on the beaches. Qualitative and quantitative data from a variety of sources are being distributed by these outlets.

At the moment we’re not feeling the effects of this red tide on the northern beaches. We’re still in the dead heat of the summer, so the multiplication of the bacteria which is fueled by heat isn’t expected to slow any time soon.  If this red tide does continue, and if we get a decent storm or a south flow the red tide could be sent up towards the west central Florida beaches. Any potentially significant storm is at least a week and a half out.

Reports from county officials in southwest Florida and secondary reports from Florida Fish and Wildlife officials are listing tons of red tide affected dead fish being cleared from the beaches.  It’s a real mess down there right now.


If a big storm comes into the gulf, I wouldn’t recommend a trip down to Venice. Consider that the abundance of red tide bacteria is at high levels there. Of course, it was like this last year. People still decided to make the trip down there to surf the jetties. It’s not going to kill you, but if the red tide is really intense you could find that breathing without coughing is somewhat difficult. Check out this August 3rd red tide incidence status report.

Gulf Coast Surf Forecast: Week of April 03, 2017

If you didn’t already know, the surf is on its way up right now.  There appears to be a small wave on the beach at the south swell spots.  There are gusty south winds in front of the cold front.  The front is expected Continue reading Gulf Coast Surf Forecast: Week of April 03, 2017

Cold Front: The Tuesday/Wednesday Forecast (w/surf report)

The front moves though the gulf early on Tuesday. After the front blows through a rapid change will occur; The temperatures will drop, and the skies will clear. High pressure builds in, and the surf comes up not long after.

Surf’s Up Surf Report! It’s 9am on Tuesday.  The surf rose quickly early this morning. There is now 5 and 6 foot swell on the buoys. It is chest to head high. The tide is coming in this morning until around 1:45. The air is 62 degrees and the sustained onshore wind is at 21 knots.

West Florida
On Tuesday the surf may get up to around waist high right before dark. SWAN is predicting 3-4 foot swell with a short period, and 15 knot northwest winds. With enough west it could get fun. Keep your eyes on the buoys and cams for a possible Tuesday evening surf. The swell peaks at 4-5 feet at 6-8 seconds from the west-northwest on Wednesday, with north winds. On Wednesday, the further you go south, the longer the long period swell wave window will be.
Water: Egmont, 69° – Venice, 71°
Skies: Clear
Air: upper 60s

Rest of the Gulf
Pensacola will be seeing a little tiny bit of surf right before the front, but the area stays mostly flat. The day after the front Texas gets a sideshore wave, with sideshore winds gusting up to 18mph.

East Florida
Over on the Atlantic, the surf is about waist to chest high. The winds are sideshore for the next couple days. The waves will be “textured” on the exposed outer sandbars. By the time the winds go offshore mid-week, the surf drops. It’s not really a good week for making a day trip to east Florida.