BeachHunters Florida Beach Survival Guide

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Commonly used in aquariums for show, the invasive lionfish has made its way from the South Pacific and Indian Oceans to the east coast. Lionfish may live longer than 15 years and reach sizes exceeding 20 inches. Their venomous spines are capable of fending off predators and stinging humans, according to the Reef Environmental Education Foundation REEF , an active organization of divers and marine enthusiasts. Lionfish reproduce throughout the year, nearly every four days, and females can spawn over 2 million eggs per year.

Lionfish are venomous and have up to 18 needle-like spines. However, the meat of the lionfish is not poisonous. If stung, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA recommends treating a puncture wound by immersing it in hot water for minutes, and seeking medical attention as soon as possible. The Poison Help Hotline at is available 24 hours a day.

Coral reef community population structure and dynamics are at risk as a result of the influx of lionfish. Lionfish are established along the southeastern coast of the United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently waived the recreational fishing license requirement to harvest lionfish. The change allows divers to easily assist in the control of the lionfish population. This will allow people to take as many of the invasive fish as possible. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission encourages people to remove lionfish; they can be speared, caught in hand-held nets or caught on hook and line.

Likely driven by warm current and winds not seen since , the Man o War is not typically found this far north. Last year they made much of the western Mediterranean unswimmable. In large part thanks to the over fishing of big predator fish and warmer ocean waters, jellies are showing up sooner, in bigger numbers and far beyond home territories.

For the first time since , the Portuguese Man o War are in numbers along the New England coast particularly the Hamptons. In Florida they clogged the shallows and took over the wet sand of the beach. Lifeguard stands stocked up with vinegar-and-water solutions to help try and diffuse the itching, burning and rashes, which beats urinating on them, though its proven that OCS Jellyfish sting relief neutralizes the sting and helps alleviate itching and swelling. Large numbers of animals washing ashore are the Pelagia Noctiluca or mauve stinger, the cannonball and the Portuguese Man o War although not in abundance yet.

Compact but fitted with long tentacles, these are exactly the same jellyfish that harassed Mediterranean beaches during the summer of and present this summer. Scientists believe they were transported across the Atlantic in the Gulf Stream, which wraps around the coast of Florida, suggesting they will be a hindrance on many Gator state beaches this summer. The trend has been growing since Jellyfish thrive in disturbed marine ecosystems, from dead zones to seabeds that have been raked by trawling nets.

And they are spreading around the world thanks to powerful currents and aided by stowing away on fleets of ships delivering goods around the globe.

Be sure to take along Ocean Care Solutions marine sting 1st aid products.. Jellyfish are categorized due to their characteristics. These jellyfish are slightly reddish with a inch diameter smooth umbrella. The jellyfish is a popular seafood in eastern and southern Asian nations where there is a high market demand that stimulates large-scale jellyfish production. Due to its economic importance in China, many biological studies have focused on the jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum Kishinouye in terms of the environmental impact of aquaculture activities and culture techniques.

In recent years, the commercial aquaculture of R. Stingray season on Florida beaches runs approximately between the months of April and October. The most popular time for Florida beach vacations. It is during these months that these sea creatures come into the warmer shallow Florida Gulf Coast waters to mate. They also are lazy and bury themselves in the bottom sand to stay away from being eaten by sharks or other larger rays.

Activity and energy frighten these shy sea creatures. Although all anemones have stinging cells or nematocysts found in their tentacles, these anemones have a dangerous sting that is extremely powerful and is very painful. The Actinodendron genus is a unique group of anemones that are basically in a class all their own. They look more like colonies of soft corals than actinides.

Typically they have busy, branched long tentacles. They bury their foot and body in the sand with only their oral disc and tentacles emerging. When disturbed they can retract their entire body into the sand and be virtually invisible. OCS Jellyfish sting relief spray is tested effective on envenomations from sea anemone.. Honeymoon Island Caladesi Island near the city of Dunedin. Both Islands are state parks and provide a quiet getaway from the busy Pinellas county cities.

Take the ferry from Honeymoon to Caladesi, rent a kayak, walk the nature trails, take your dog to the doggy beach on Honeymoon Island, do some fishing, or look for shells. Honeymoon Island in particular has a nice selection of shells. Clearwater Beach is a major tourist destination for those looking for lots to see and do. Clearwater beach has been completely renovated and the changes are fantastic.

The traffic flow is much better and a wide paved promenade along the beach front means you can walk everywhere.

Sand Key , a long, narrow barrier island in Pinellas County is a well-developed barrier island with many miles of white beaches. Sand key park is great for picnics, has plenty of parking and a large white sand beach. It is also a great surf spot, when the waves are up. Indian Rocks Beach is a true beach town with plenty of beach cottages and a few low-rise condominiums, excellent restaurants, and lots of free beach parking and access. Indian Shores home to the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary , Redington Shores, and North Redington Beach and Redington Beach are generally upscale beach communities with more than their fair share of tall private condominiums.

Many new condominiums are under construction. Real estate is a booming business.

Madeira Beach occupies the southern tip of Sand Key, right on John's Pass, famous for being grouper fishing headquarters of the state. Shopping is an attraction on Madeira Beach in addition to restaurants and an outstanding powdery white sand beach.

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Madeira has beautiful white sand on its beaches. Treasure Island is a heavily developed and very busy island with businesses and condos and plenty of private residences on the bay side. Treasure Island has the widest beaches on the Gulf coast, although the Marco Island beaches are heavy competition for this title after their renourishment. My favorite part of Treasure Island is the community at the southern end of the Island called "Sunset Beach. Pete Beach and Pass-a-Grille Beach have all the comforts of home within walking distance of most of the hotels and beach rentals.

Each has an outstanding stretch of white sand beach, reasonable accommodations and both are top choices for Florida destination weddings. Pass-a-Grille is really a laid-back but up-to-date community. For more detailed information on St Pete Beach and its beautiful beaches and parks, you can visit my web site on St Pete Beach. Fort Desoto Park Dr. Beach's pick for the number 1 beach in the nation in is a huge county park with no homes or businesses.

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It is a must for visitors looking for some nature. Egmont Key and Shell Key are two undeveloped islands that can only be reached by boat. In this beautiful island park you can rent bikes or kayaks, camp right on the water at a shady campsite, walk or roller-blade on the several miles of sidewalks throughout the park, go fishing on either of two great piers, or just hang out at the beach and relax. Compared to Pinellas County beaches, the southern islands and beaches are much less developed with a few exceptions.

The lesser developed islands generally have little or no nightlife, and fewer "attractions. Longboat Key is very exclusive and upscale with large beachfront resorts and private homes and condominiums and limited beach access. The beaches are beautiful though and there are plenty of rentals available for vacationers. It is a long island with an equally long sidewalk for bikers and hikers. Lido and Siesta Keys are where Sarasota goes to the beach and much of the rest of the world as well.

They have something for everyone and are close to the night life, restaurants, and cultural attractions for which Sarasota is famous.

If you are planning a vacation on Siesta Key, be sure to check out my pages on Siesta Key Beachfront Vacation Rentals so you can pick just the right area for your needs and preferences. It gets even slower on Palm Island Little Gasparilla with boat-only access. Enjoy it while it lasts.

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Gasparilla Boca Grande is famous for its Tarpon fishing, its fishing history, and as a private refuge to the old-money elite. It is a beautiful island and is well worth an extended stay. The beaches are small, but beautiful and quiet. Visit the lighthouse and museum on the southern tip of the island and enjoy the view of Cayo Costa Island across Boca Pass. Cayo Costa Island State Park is probably the largest undeveloped island on the Gulf coast and is the best primitive beach camping available.

With lots of native vegetation, wild hogs, and 'gators, this park has some wilderness for you no cars, roads, or homes. Just south of Cayo Costa lies North Captiva, Captiva, and Sanibel, which are world famous for their island charm and away-from-it-all feeling that they offer to those who can afford it. Pine Island , though it has no beaches and nothing much to do except fishing, relaxing, and eating mangoes , is one of my favorite islands because it is so undeveloped and is still centered around fishing, farming and small business.

There is no MacDonald's on Pine Island. The area around Pine Island is developing rapidly, especially in the Burnt Store Road area, so don't expect this to be quiet forever. Fort Myers Beach picks up the pace with its Key-West atmosphere and throngs of people and traffic jams, but the congestion quickly fades when you get further south to Lover's Key. There are a ton of hotels on Fort Myers Beach, and the beach is beautiful. Lots of coconut palms, calm but not so clear water, and long stretches of wide white sandy beaches make this island a major attraction.

There is plenty to see and do in the area if you are so inclined. You can always find a quiet beach here, especially during the weekdays. Rent a kayak, do some fishing, or explore the nature trails. There is a food concession and restrooms here. Bonita Beach is a lush island with good beach access between magnificent beachfront estates. Barefoot Beach Preserve provides a mile and a half of undeveloped beach bordering Wiggins Pass.

This is a beautiful green area. The beaches have lots of shells and are decidedly upscale.