Frequently Asked Questions

Can red tides ruin my vacation?

Yes. Red tide events can not only ruin your vacation, it can also be harmful to your health as well as strip you of all the time and hard earned income you’ve put toward your travel experience. Red tides occur every year and in recent years red tide events have come with higher concentrations and longer duration which could be contributed to human impact of coastal waters.

When is the best time to purchase coverage for my trip?

The best time to purchase our protection plan is before red tide begins to develop. Coverage will not be offered or may be very limited once a red tide develops or is forecast to impact your beach destination.

Can we predict when and where a red tide will occur?

No, red tide cannot be predicted, scientists can only forecast its movement and strength using wind and water current data once a bloom is located.

How long does a red tide bloom last?

Red tides can last weeks, months and sometimes longer than a year. They can even subside and then reoccur. The duration of a bloom depends on physical, chemical, biological and other ecological conditions that influence its growth and persistence, including sunlight, nutrients and salinity, as well as the speed and direction of wind and water currents. 

What are red tides and why are they harmful?

A red tide, or harmful algal bloom, is a higher-than-normal concentration of a microscopic alga (plant-like organism). Many red tides produce toxic chemicals that can have a negative affect marine ecosystems, marine organisms and humans. The red tide organism, K. brevis, produces toxins that affect the central nervous system of fish and other vertebrates, causing these animals to become extremely ill if not die. These toxins are released into the air, leading to respiratory irritation. For people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions, such as emphysema or asthma, red tide can cause serious illness. The red tide toxins can also accumulate in oysters, clams, muscles and other shellfish. This can lead to neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in people who consume contaminated shellfish. People have been known to die from eating contaminated shellfish.

Can I swim in the ocean when there’s a Florida red tide bloom?

Do not swim among dead fish because they can be associated with harmful bacteria. Red tide can cause respiratory problems, skin irritations and burning eyes.

Do red tides or algal blooms occur anywhere else?

Yes, many algae species cause harmful algae blooms or red tides at coastal destinations all over the world. Yet, the organism that causes Florida's red tide, K. brevis, is found mostly in the Gulf of Mexico from Mexico to Florida. Red tides can even be carried by the Gulf Stream ocean current into the Atlantic Ocean and affect beaches and coastal areas as far north as Delaware.

I’m planning a vacation on or near freshwater. Do freshwater lakes and rivers have red tide?

Red tide can be found in bays and estuaries but not in freshwater systems such as lakes and rivers. However, other harmful algae, including cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), typically bloom in freshwater lakes and rivers.

Stay away from areas with blue-green algae! Blue-green algae can cause rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. People who are very sensitive to smells can have respiratory irritation. Sometimes, high exposures of toxin can affect the liver and nervous system. If you come into contact with blue-green algae, get out of the area and wash off with soap and water. See your doctor if you think blue-green algae has made you sick.

This algae is blue, bright-green, brown or red, and can have a strong odor like rotting plants. Pets can become sick from blue-green algae so keep them out of those areas and away from contaminated marine animals and fish.

What causes a Florida red tide?

The Florida red tide alga, Karenia brevis, needs the following components to form a bloom. The first is biology — the organism must be present in the water and it must out-compete other phytoplankton. The second is the correct chemistry — this includes the appropriate temperature, salinity, and nutrients that it needs to grow and multiply. The third component is the right physical conditions to concentrate and transport K. brevis. The fourth component is ecology – the presence or absence of other life forms, such as other marine algae that may encourage or inhibit K. brevis blooms.

Are red tides always red?

At high enough concentrations, red tide can discolor water a red, brown, rusty orange or even slightly greenish hue. Red tides caused by other algal species can appear red, brown, green or even purple. The water can also remain its normal color during a bloom.

Are red tides new to Florida?

No. Red tides were documented as far back as the 1700s and along Florida's coast in the 1840s. Fish kills near Tampa Bay were even mentioned in the records of Spanish explorers in the 1500s.