What happened to Clearwater Beach? (Tampa, Sarasota: live, swimming, best time)

[FringedNFab]

I've been to Clearwater Beach this past spring and again in the fall and both times it's not as I remember it being 12 years ago. What happened to the beautiful clear emerald green water? It looked so murky both times and nothing like I remember. Does it clear up in the summer months? It's still a beautiful beach but I have to admit Sarasota to Boca Grande has some prettier beaches and water down there.

[IAm_FloridaBorn]

Ha Ha I have been wondering the same thing. I only have been in the Fall and Winter too and the water looks cludy

[TB Fla]

The Cold fronts that we get in the Fall and Winter bring in a lot of wind and rain that really churn up the water and makes it murky. That is why the best time to surf in the Gulf is in the Fall and Winter. The Gulf tends to be clearer in the summer.

The Bay is the opposite though. In the summer, all the rain water from creeks, rivers, and sewers drains into the Bay making it murky, while in Fall and Winter, there is almost no rain, and Cold fronts don't affect it as much because it is protected by the Pinellas peninsula.

[FringedNFab]

Originally Posted by TB Fla

The Cold fronts that we get in the Fall and Winter bring in a lot of wind and rain that really churn up the water and makes it murky. That is why the best time to surf in the Gulf is in the Fall and Winter. The Gulf tends to be clearer in the summer.

The Bay is the opposite though. In the summer, all the rain water from creeks, rivers, and sewers drains into the Bay making it murky, while in Fall and Winter, there is almost no rain, and Cold fronts don't affect it as much because it is protected by the Pinellas peninsula.

Tampa Bay looked beautiful both times I was up there. People were even fishing and swimming alongside it. I do love the Bay area.

[debvic]

The water clarity does change with the season/weather. In my opinion Clearwater St Pete beaches are nice but not qute as pretty as Sarasota county beaches. One area I loved was the very north end of Clearwater beach. You can walk from there all the way to Caladisi Island(not really an island is it?) It is Clearwaters best kept secret. You can park next to 880 Mandalay (just a few metered spots) and enjoy the private part of the beach usually just those who live there know about.You can walk from there all the way to Caladisi Island(not an island really) -it's beautiful.

[TB Fla]

Anna Maria Island just south of Tampa Bay has some of the best water clarity around. Better than Sarasota's I think. Crystal clear almost year round.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by TB Fla

Anna Maria Island just south of Tampa Bay has some of the best water clarity around. Better than Sarasota's I think. Crystal clear almost year round.

This is correct. I don't think I have ever seen any more beautiful water than on Anna Maria, and as a native of Florida, it has been that way for as long as I can remember.

[FringedNFab]

Cool I'll have to make it up to AMI sometime then. I still love it down here though!

[Sumermarie]

You also have to factor in hurricanes, if there's storms in the Gulf, it churns it up a lot and murks the water. I've seen it both ways but maybe you just had some bad luck on your visits?