Winter is still here, and memories of freezing temperatures and record-breaking snowfall are still fresh in the minds of Florida residents.
But beach activity is never far from our hearts.
With that in mind, it is repeated to check the water quality before heading for the water.
Already this year, Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has warned that red tides have reached high levels in the waters of the Florida Keys and southwest Florida.
The Florida Department of Health in Lee County issued a Red Tide Warning on Jan. 31, warning coastal residents to close windows and doors and use only conditional air.
And that’s not all.
Toxins from algae blooms have been discovered in several Florida locations, and the Institute of Optical Oceanography in South Florida warns that 2025 is expected to be the “year of major sargassum.”
We have gathered the latest test results and health advisors from the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee to help you stay safe before you leave.
Check the water quality of Florida waters. Is swimming and fishing safe?
This map shows whether red tide or blue-green algae have been reported.
Weekly data on beach water quality comes from the Florida Department of Health. Bloom data for red tides and algae are from FWC. The red tide indicates the condition for the past 7 days, and the algae bloom for the past 90 days.
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Have health advisories been issued to beaches in Florida?
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What are intestinal bacteria and what are their symptoms?
Enterococcus is an intestinal bacteria that usually live in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. It is a sign of fecal contamination. It may come from rainwater runoff, pets, wildlife or human sewage.
It can be consumed while swimming, or it can enter the skin with amputation or pain.
Symptoms include stomach upset, diarrhea, eye irritation, and skin rash.
Are there any blue-green algae in the waters of Florida?
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What is blue-green algae? What are symptoms?
Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria called cyanobacteria. According to the Florida Department of Health, it can be blue, bright green, brown or red and has a strong odor similar to rotten plants.
If a person or animal jumps up into the water or if the boat wakes up, algae cells can fall apart and cyanotoxins can be released into the air. The toxins are mixed with water droplets and sprays, allowing the toxin to be potentially inhaled.
Water from areas with blue-green algae can make animals and people sick. These toxins cannot easily pass through the skin, so swallowing large amounts of contaminated water can cause illness.
For some people, exposure to blue-green algae can cause rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. People who are very sensitive to odors can get respiratory irritation. Sometimes high toxin exposure can affect the liver and nervous system.
Where are red tides reported in Florida?
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What is red tide and what are symptoms?
Karenia Brevis, or Red Tide, is a naturally occurring single-cell organism that belongs to a group of algae known as swirl plants.
The red tide can cause coughs and sneezes and can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. According to the Florida Department of Health, the response to the red tide can be worsened in people with asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, or chronic lung disease.
Swimming in or around the red tide can cause skin irritation, rashes, burns, and eye pain. Rinse with soap and water, especially if your skin is easily irritated, if it comes into contact with red tides.
Red tide toxins can also accumulate in filter feeders such as oysters and clams, leading to neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in people who consume contaminated shellfish.
Is there a Sargassum on the beach? It is expected to be the “major Sargasam year” in 2025
According to the South Florida Optical Oceanography Laboratory, total Sargassum in the tropical Atlantic increased between December and January, but remained “negligible” or very low in the Gulf of Mexico and the Western Caribbean.
Florida Beach Live Webcam: See the conditions for surf, waves and salgassum around Sunshine State
“We will closely monitor and track Sargassums throughout the Central Atlantic and make better predictions at any time whether a large amount of Sargassum will arrive in Florida,” the Institute for Optical Oceanography in South Florida posted on its website .
“Like most years in the past, February is expected to see an increase in Sargassum from January. More Sargassum is expected to enter the Caribbean through fewer Antilles. Sargassum in the Western Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico remains very low.
“However, the continuous and significant increase in total sargassum in the tropical Atlantic Ocean strengthens previous forecast that 2025 is probably another major Sargassum year.
You use these webcams to watch crowds, surf, waves, sargassum.
