Gulf Coast waters vs. Tampa Bay (Tallahassee, Oldsmar: how much, living, restaurant)

[Sunshinecc]

This may be a silly question but I was curious how much of a difference there is between the Gulf waters and the Bay - such as for swimming, how clear it is, water temperature, etc..

Assuming all goes well, I will be living much closer to the Bay though I will be within reasonable driving distance to the Gulf.

[DUNNDFRNT]

Originally Posted by Sunshinecc

This may be a silly question but I was curious how much of a difference there is between the Gulf waters and the Bay - such as for swimming, how clear it is, water temperature, etc..

Assuming all goes well, I will be living much closer to the Bay though I will be within reasonable driving distance to the Gulf.

There are some pseudo beaches in either side of the causeway, (Ben T Davis) and there is one on the gandy bridge on the Pinellas side. I think people use this more to jetsky, canoes, stand up paddle boarding that sort of thing since the water would be calmer than on the gulf, but if you are going to a beach you are going to end up on the gulf side.

[Sunshinecc]

Originally Posted by DUNNDFRNT

There are some pseudo beaches in either side of the causeway, (Ben T Davis) and there is one on the gandy bridge on the Pinellas side. I think people use this more to jetsky, canoes, stand up paddle boarding that sort of thing since the water would be calmer than on the gulf, but if you are going to a beach you are going to end up on the gulf side.

Oh, ok...that's good to know. I love to jet ski and kayak so I'm hoping to be able to do that a bit more. I've yet to try paddle boarding but it seems to be the new popular thing.

Thanks for the info

[tinytrump]

Couple of things to remember in the summer, there have alerts more often for bacteria/ run off etc. so always check to make sure the waters are safe in the bay.

[Sunshinecc]

Originally Posted by tinytrump

Couple of things to remember in the summer, there have alerts more often for bacteria/ run off etc. so always check to make sure the waters are safe in the bay.

There are alot of "bays" and smaller inlets in Rhode Island (I live closer to these beaches than I do in Mass), of course on a much much smaller scale than Tampa Bay and we have to pay really good attention to the alerts. But I wasn't even thinking of that for Tampa.

I recall one beach I went to a few years back. My friend and I started wading in the water to cool off and we kept hearing a lifeguard's whistle but since we were only walking, didn't think it was directed to us. Finally, he came walking over to us to let us know swimming was not recommended due to the bacteria. There was only one small sign so we didn't see it. I can't tell you how many showers I took when I got home! ewww lol

[PhotoProIP]

Originally Posted by Sunshinecc

This may be a silly question but I was curious how much of a difference there is between the Gulf waters and the Bay - such as for swimming, how clear it is, water temperature, etc..

Assuming all goes well, I will be living much closer to the Bay though I will be within reasonable driving distance to the Gulf.

There is no swimming in the bay part. Not a beach, there is something around there very small, but not considered a full fledged beach by any means. I wouldn't be swimming on the bay side.

Unless you live on Gulf to Bay blvd, your beach commute will be between 20 and 60 minutes depending on how further inland you get.

[Sunshinecc]

Originally Posted by PhotoProIP

Unless you live on Gulf to Bay blvd, your beach commute will be between 20 and 60 minutes depending on how further inland you get.

That's pretty close to what I'm used to driving now for the various beaches I go to so that works for me!

Sometimes I get a bit overwhelmed looking at all the places along the Gulf I want to visit but that will be a nice problem to have.

[tinytrump]

Originally Posted by PhotoProIP

There is no swimming in the bay part. Not a beach, there is something around there very small, but not considered a full fledged beach by any means. I wouldn't be swimming on the bay side.

Unless you live on Gulf to Bay blvd, your beach commute will be between 20 and 60 minutes depending on how further inland you get.

what? there is swimming off the BAY.. Picnic Island by Macdill, Cypress Point Creek, (park), Bent T beach, Oldsmar has some little beach on south Shore... now I don't like this type of beaching BUT for a quick just gotta hang out and don't feel like the long drive out to the gulf - it will do.

[Sunshinecc]

Originally Posted by tinytrump

what? there is swimming off the BAY.. Picnic Island by Macdill, Cypress Point Creek, (park), Bent T beach, Oldsmar has some little beach on south Shore... now I don't like this type of beaching BUT for a quick just gotta hang out and don't feel like the long drive out to the gulf - it will do.

I wish I knew the little beach I went to last time I was in Tampa. I didn't have much time before taking a bus up to visit my friend in Tallahassee but it was a $5 cab ride from the airport, on the south side of whatever main street it was on and the restaurant there is Whiskey Joe's. It was a decent size beach, clear water at least up to the knees but lots of little jelly fish.

Is there swimming at Vinoy Park?

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by PhotoProIP

There is no swimming in the bay part.

WHAT????

There are LOTS of places where people swim on the bay part.

Sometimes I am just shocked at the misinformation put out there.