Is the water safe to swim in around Anna Maria Island? What the locals know about why you shouldn't panic...

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Details: I cannot count the number of questions I've received, from soon to be travelers to ask about the local status of "flesh eating bacteria"  What they are really referring to are reports of Vibrio Vulnificus infections, or Vibriosis, a rare bacterial infection that can be contracted from eating raw or under-cooked seafood, or from exposing fresh open wounds to warm salt water. Vibrio vulnificus is not the same thing as Necrotising Faciitis which can be caused by many strains of bacteria, including Vibrio Vulnificus. Vibrio Vulnificus infections happen only rarely, with two confirmed cases in Manatee county residents in 2016, zero in 2015, and one in 2014, according to the Florida department of health. Of these there were no deaths. So while we are all far more likely to expire from a car accident, or even the flu, than from a Vibrio Vulnificus infection, there are still some precautions we can take. People with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic liver or kidney disease are most at risk of infection and should always wear foot protection in the water to protect from cuts from rocks or shells. It's also never a good idea to enter the salt water with fresh open wounds, or to eat raw or under-cooked seafood. To learn more about Vibrio Vulnificus Infection please visit the Florida Department of Health Website @ http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/vibrio-infections/vibrio-vulnificus/index.html 

It's a question asked by many travelers before their first visit to Anna Maria Island, is it safe to swim in the water around Anna Maria Island? News reports from far off places about issues surrounding our Florida waters can often cause alarm disproportionate to the level of local threat. The cure for that is accurate information and reasonable precautions, and you'll get those here! Some visitors are concerned with water quality, while others are concerned about rip tides and currents, and then there are those who are most concerned with the creatures they might be sharing that water with, and whether they pose a threat. Lets see if we can address all of those concerns, and learn a bit about safety in the waters around Anna Maria Island in the process! We'll cover everything the locals know about how to swim responsibly, and arm you with links for up to date information about current conditions!

Is there Flesh Eating Bacteria
 in the waters around Anna Maria Island?!?   

What the locals know- Why you shouldn't panic: 

Vibrio Vunificus infections are ultra rare, and most people with properly functioning immune systems and healthy livers and kidneys are not at a significant risk to infection.  

Precautions: What the Locals know: 

• Don't go into the Gulf or the Bay with open wounds (even fresh tattoos) especially if you are immune compromised, or have chronic liver or kidney disease.  

• Don't eat raw or undercooked seafood especially if you are immune compromised. 

Florida Red Tide Around Anna Maria Island
 
What the locals know- Why you shouldn't panic:
Red Tide can happen sometimes. It literally stinks, and when it is severe it causes respiratory irritation. But it doesn't happen very often.

Precautions: What the Locals know: 

• Check the Red Tide Status if you have chronic lung disease or asthma or if you just want to know if Red Tide is in the area at http://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/ 

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Details: Florida red tide is also known as a harmful algae bloom, and is caused by the organism Karenia brevis or K. Brevis for short. Red tide is a somewhat unpredictable event that can last for weeks or more, it can drift with the currents, and can very in severity.  It can turn the water brown or red.  A K. Brevis bloom contains brevetoxins, neurotoxins that can kill fish, which will often was up to shore, leaving an awful smell.  Wave action can break open the k. Brevis and release the toxin into the air, and while the toxin isn't enough to be deadly to humans, it can cause severe respiratory irritation which puts those with lung diseases like emphysema and asthma in danger. In 2016 we saw a particularly nasty red tide. As soon as you would step outside near the beach you would notice an immediate and persistent dry hacking cough along with running nose and other allergy like symptoms. Those with lung conditions were of course warned not to go near the beach during the severe red tide. If you find yourself staying at a beach front resort during a red tide and you have lung issues it's best to stay inside with the air conditioner running, as that filters out the irritants. It's rarely difficult to convince people to head this advise, as there are often dead rotting fish on the beach during that time and the stench is something of a deterrent! You can learn more about Florida Red tide from Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium @ https://mote.org/news/florida-red-tide
So how will you know if red tide is in the area and if so how severe? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Service conducts testing on the water from the Gulf and the Bays all along the coast and puts out weekly reports Follow this link for an up to date report of current red tide levels! http://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/  

 Are There Dangerous Rip Tides 
and Currents Around Anna Maria Island? 

What the locals know- Why you shouldn't panic: 

Riptides and dangerous currents are most common on the very north and south ends of the island. Other than that our seas are usually pretty calm, unless there are storms in the area. 

Precautions: What the Locals know: 

• Check out the current beach conditions report at https://visitbeaches.org/   before hitting the beach, head the warning flags, and keep in mind that Manatee public beach and Coquina beach have life guards on duty during they day! 
• Don't swim at Bean Point the very north end of the island or at the very South end of the island between Anna Maria Island and Longboat key because of strong currants.

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Details: The Gulf and Bay waters surrounding Anna Maria Island are much calmer than you might  find on the Atlantic coast. It is usually safe to swim in the Gulf or Bay off of Anna Maria Island, most of us locals do without much hesitation with two exceptions - We ALWAYS steer clear of swimming at Bean Point, located at the very north end of the island because of very strong currants there, and we don't swim at the very south end of the Island near the bridge to Longboat key,  near Jewfish Key. Even in the safer areas on the island, in the right conditions rip tides and dangerous currents can happen, that is why its important to pay attention to current beach conditions and beach warning flags and use beaches with lifeguards on duty. There are lifeguards posted at Manatee public beach, as well at Coquina Beach from 9am - 7pm during the summer and from 9am- 5pm the rest of the year. If you should find yourself caught in a riptide or strong currant remember to swim parallel to the beach to get out of it instead of fighting it in a straight line to shore. Before hitting the beach you can check the current beach conditions warning flags online! Mote Marine Lab collects and posts beach condition data twice a day! See current conditions here @ https://visitbeaches.org/  

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 Are there Sharks Around Anna Maria Island?

What the locals know- why you shouldn't panic:

As locals, most of us don't fear the sharks, as most of the local species are non- aggressive, bites are so very rare, and fatalities almost unheard of.

  

Precautions: 

What the Locals know:

•  Don't swim near the piers or where people are fishing.

 Details: The sharks here aren't much of a threat. If your concerned enough to be googling "Anna Maria Island Sharks" You'll find that there was a recent shark sighting that cleared out the beach over the Memorial day weekend. It was believed to be a Bull shark, and that is a species that can be aggressive. However most of the shark species found off of Anna Maria Island are not known to be aggressive. Shark bites are very rare in this area, and on the rare occasions that they have happened, it was on account of the sharks mistake, and not due to Jaws like man eating aggression. There was a bite off of Bean point in 2011, a fisherman was in the water and dumped his bait in the water next to his body. The Shark came along for the free lunch and mistook the chum for his leg. The man survived. The lesson here is don't stand in the water and dump a shark buffet into the water around you! We also don't recommend swimming near the fishing piers on the north end of the island, and just as with the strong currents, its bests not to swim at Bean Point as you'll often find people shark fishing there as well.  As locals, most of us don't fear the sharks, as most of the species are non- aggressive, bites are so very rare, and fatalities almost unheard of. None the less, we don't swim where the fisherman are dangling bait or dumping chum. 

Are there Sting Rays Around Anna Maria Island? 

What the locals know- why you shouldn't panic:

 Stingrays are here, but they are  absolutely non aggressive creatures who are more afraid of you 

than you are of them. They will never come after a human.

  

Precautions: What the Locals know: 

• Do the Sting Ray Shuffle!   

Details: Stingrays are here, but they are  absolutely non aggressive creatures who are more afraid of you than you are of them. They will never come after a human. They like to hang out in warm shallow waters half submerged in sand, you'll rarely see them laying there. Sting ray injuries happen when swimmers accidentally step on them, this causes a defensive reflex and the barb comes up! The little (or big) guy is just trying to survive! The best protection is the sting ray shuffle! Do it every time you're in the water, and teach your kids to do the same! Just shuffle your feet in the sand, kicking a bit of sand up and forward as you go, any stingrays in the area will sense the sand moving and swim away as fast as they can!

The waters surrounding Anna Maria Island are remarkably safe.

But as with any open waters there are some safety precautions you should take. Here's a recap:

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Anna Maria Island Swimmers Safety Recap: 

• Don't go into the Gulf or the Bay with open wounds (even fresh tattoos) especially if you are immune compromised, or have chronic liver or kidney disease.  
• Don't eat raw or undercooked seafood especially if you are immune compromised. 
• Check the Red Tide Status if you have chronic lung disease or asthma or if you just want to know if Red Tide is in the area at http://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/  
• Check out the current beach conditions report at https://visitbeaches.org/   before hitting the beach, head the warning flags, and keep in mind that Manatee public beach and Coquina beach have life guards on duty during they day! 
• Don't swim at Bean Point the very north end of the island or at the very South end of the island between Anna Maria Island and Longboat key because of strong currants. 
•  Don't swim near the piers where people are fishing.
• Do the Sting Ray Shuffle! 

Now you know what the locals know, about how to swim responsibly, and why we don't fear swimming in the clear warm waters surrounding Anna Maria Island!
We've been doing it for years, and we welcome you to join us!