Swimming in Florida

Hoping for a little advice.....
I am visiting Marco Island in Florida with work in February (just south of Naples) and was wondering if anyone knows of any good swimming I could do in any spare time I might have.
In particular I am keen to stay safely away from local wildlife with big teeth. Are there any, or am I just being paranoid?
Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.......
Jason
I am visiting Marco Island in Florida with work in February (just south of Naples) and was wondering if anyone knows of any good swimming I could do in any spare time I might have.
In particular I am keen to stay safely away from local wildlife with big teeth. Are there any, or am I just being paranoid?
Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.......
Jason
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If you make it to the Tampa/St. Pete area (3 hours north), we usually have organized swims on the weekends and would love to have you join us.
I've never swum in water at Florida temperature before!
Sadly it's work (well, a conference, so kinda like work) not vacation, but I want to grab the opportunity for some good OW hours while I can.
We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams
Um. . . "friends"? Do I want to know?
Appreciate any feedback
Thanks!
If you don’t mind doing short laps up and down the beach, Sombrero Beach and Bahia Honda St. Park are options. But don’t be too disappointed. The Keys are all about the water but they don’t have much in the way of beaches.
Enjoy your trip.
Miami Beach or anything on the ocean-side still has a nasty man-o-war, sea lice, and pink jellyfish (forgot their name) when there is an on-shore breeze. The "best" place for OW swimming in the Miami area is called Hobie Beach. It is just off the bridge to Key Biscayne over to the right. Many triathletes train their on the weekend. Jellys can still be a problem and the water there is sometimes pretty dirty. Porpoises often patrol that area. Crandon Park Beach is ok and is where the local triathlon swims are often venued.
The best place to swim (by far IMHO) is Fort Lauderdale Beach just up 95 and right out in front of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. The beach in front of ISHOF up to the HoJos is 1 mile, 1.5 miles to the Holiday Inn, and 2.5 miles to Oakland Park Boulevard. There is a reef about 50 yards off-shore that goes all the way north and is a great line to follow. There are bouys beyond that to keep boats out. Lots to see underwater there like barracuda (leave jewelry in the car), jack, stingrays, manta rays, and the occasional porpoise. Stay out when there are on-shore breezes. Guaranteed to get zapped.
There used to be a masters group that went out there on Saturday mornings for group swims. Try contacting the current masters team there to see if people are still doing it. It is a safe place to swim when the guards are in the towers.
Hollywood Beach is nice as well, but a little more difficult to get to from I-95. Very safe place to swim as well.
Miami Beach has jet-ski rentals and lots of people in the water. You also have to worry about getting your car broken into. When I lived in Miami, I would by-pass everything in Miami and go up to Ft. Lauderdale.
Hope this helps.
Chris
That is the masters club on Islamorada.
The Keys aren't good places for open water training and even worse if your swimming alone. I grew up in South Florida and the only good place to swim down there is the race around Key West. The only reason it get in the water down there is if there's a race going on. Not a great place to train. The best place to swim in the upper keys is Gary Hall's pool. I believe it's on Islamorada Key or Key Largo.
If I had to pick, the Florida Bay side (western side) is probably the best. Now is the windy-time of the year. The water can be very shallow with lots of channels letting in/out massive amounts of water. You don't want to be near one. Double that if you're alone.
I would just stick with the pool, and enjoy the sunsets and conch fritters at Alabama Jacks.
Chris
I wasn't sure where to post this, but since FL was the topic I figured I would jump in here.
I am going to be in Key Largo, FL this wed. (Jan. 13) through Tues. (Jan. 19th) and then in Fort Meyers until the 24th. Are there any open water clubs, or Masters Clubs, (or people who just want to swim) in or around the area?
Or does anyone have any suggestions on good places to practice my open water ocean swimming?
Any ideas or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
P.S. thank you for listing the races and dates- I am going to try to make at least one in the warm waters down south!
I'll be visiting the Florida panhandle this winter, and was wondering if there are any individuals or groups swimming in the gulf or the bay. I'll be in Walton County, a little west of Panama City Beach, but would be willing to drive further afield to meet up with other swimmers.
Has anyone swam with the Lake Cane group? Lucky's Lake Swim?
I swam with them in March. It is a very laid back group and lots of fun.
Stick around after the swim and have your picture taken with the alligator and sign the wall.
Lucky's Lake - yes, go do it. It's small, but such a warm, welcoming crowd. have someone show you where to sign the waiver and get a float. Then yes, stay around afterwards to get the bumper sticker, a photo op and sign the wall. This guy is a gem. Google the site for more info.
Great! He just emailed me back yesterday and I'll be sure to check them out!
Thanks for the headsup on Lucky's....I will be in Florida next June and that sounds like a fun addition to my itinerary. For you Facebookers... https://www.facebook.com/groups/40590107633/about/
Hi I have just joined as a member today, and noticed that a year or so ago you stayed near Panama City Beach and was wondering if you did any good swims there? Im staying at Rosemary beach in a few days time. Thanks Bernie
Hi Berniestone! I know Rosemary Beach well. You can usually go out beyond the first sandbar—about 75 yards or so off the beach—and just swim parallel to shore for as long as you like. There are not any great geographical landmarks to swim to and from, but you could swim from Rosemary Beach to the Inlet Beach access, or in the other direction to Alys Beach and back. I don’t think there are lifeguards on duty in November, but if you want someone to keep an eye on you you can have them kayak/SUP with you, or beach walk at your pace.
I’ve dreamt of doing a 3-day state park to state park stage swim along that stretch of 30A (Camp Helen to Deer Lake to Grayton Beach to Topsail), and hope to make that happen while I’m visiting this winter.
There are sometimes man o’ wars (bluebottles) along that coastline when the wind is from the south—but if they are in the water you will also see them scattered all along the tide line.
Enjoy your stay, and have fun swimming! There’s also a wonderful 50m x 25y outdoor pool about 15 minutes away in Panama City Beach, at Frank Brown Park, if you get a hankering for chlorine. There’s a nice masters team that has workouts there (PCST Masters).