Late May or June?

**missourigrl** · 03-25-2006, 09:54 PM

We had originally planned on visiting the Miramar beach area May 27-June 2, but I have heard that during the Memorial day weekend it can be terribly crowded. Is it usually just during Sat, Sun, Mon or the whole week? This has me wondering if we should change our plans to mid to late June? Last year we visited in early August but we won't be able to go that late this year. Also, should we be worried about the beach restoration in that area?

Thanks!

P.S. What is the weather/water temp like at the end of May?

**Allifunn** · 03-25-2006, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by missourigrl

We had originally planned on visiting the Miramar beach area May 27-June 2, but I have heard that during the Memorial day weekend it can be terribly crowded. Is it usually just during Sat, Sun, Mon or the whole week? This has me wondering if we should change our plans to mid to late June? Last year we visited in early August but we won't be able to go that late this year. Also, should we be worried about the beach restoration in that area?

Thanks!

can't help you here...but be patient...answers will come !!!

**Allifunn** · 03-25-2006, 10:05 PM

and by the way.....

have a fun vacation!

**Beach Runner** · 03-25-2006, 10:14 PM

Beaches are great. Just look at Smiling JOe's photos. From what I've seen from our rentals in previous years, May is less crowded than June.

**Allifunn** · 03-25-2006, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by missourigrl

We had originally planned on visiting the Miramar beach area May 27-June 2, but I have heard that during the Memorial day weekend it can be terribly crowded. Is it usually just during Sat, Sun, Mon or the whole week? This has me wondering if we should change our plans to mid to late June? Last year we visited in early August but we won't be able to go that late this year. Also, should we be worried about the beach restoration in that area?

Thanks!

P.S. What is the weather/water temp like at the end of May?

you should get lots more posts on this tomorrow...most SoWallers are either

,

, or

**yippie** · 03-26-2006, 12:28 AM

It is the whole week and the rest of the months of June July & August. If I were you, I would visit the week before memorial. Rates are a little lower and crowds are a LOT less.

**missourigrl** · 03-26-2006, 10:16 AM

Is it so crowded at the end of May into June, July, August that it is impossible to go out to eat and enjoy yourself out on the beach? We visited the first week in August last year and it was pretty busy but not so much that we weren't able to enjoy our vacation (we usually didn't go out and eat dinner until about 8 or 9 pm). That was our first time visiting Destin so I don't really have anything to compare it to. I want to visit when the weather and water is nice and warm. Thanks for your help!

**Paula** · 03-26-2006, 12:13 PM

Our favorite time to come to the area as a family is in August, right after most of the kids go back to school. The pool water and ocean are so comfortable, everything is open and not crowded, and there is very little traffic. We're from the north so our kids don't start school until after labor day. We're only coming there for one week this August (and we're going to be there the last week of June, too, to see what it's like at peak season), but in the future we'll come for 2 weeks (maybe more) in August.

Keep in mind that some places along 30A are going to have more traffic than other areas. We pretty much stay at the pool, porch, and beach so we don't have to deal with traffic too much (grocery shopping). When we go out to eat, we do that early (e.g., 11:45 for lunch; 4:45 for dinner) because we have children so they actually prefer to eat early.

The trade-off you make is this: At the busier beaches/roads, you have restaurants, shops, etc. within walking distance but there will be more crowds and traffic because of the restaurants, shops, etc. At the less busy beaches/roads you have fewer, if any restaurants/shops/etc., within walking distance and you have fewer crowds and traffic.

Hope this is helpful.

**yippie** · 03-26-2006, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by missourigrl

Is it so crowded at the end of May into June, July, August that it is impossible to go out to eat and enjoy yourself out on the beach? We visited the first week in August last year and it was pretty busy but not so much that we weren't able to enjoy our vacation (we usually didn't go out and eat dinner until about 8 or 9 pm). That was our first time visiting Destin so I don't really have anything to compare it to. I want to visit when the weather and water is nice and warm. Thanks for your help!

Maybe you misunderstood my reply , and after I read it, I mis understood it too!

I was suggesting that you visit before Memorial day because from then on, June, July and August are VERY busy and you will run into the same lines, same crowds.

Come before memorial day, or in latter August. But NOT labor day weekend.

**missourigrl** · 03-26-2006, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by yippie

Maybe you misunderstood my reply , and after I read it, I mis understood it too!

I was suggesting that you visit before Memorial day because from then on, June, July and August are VERY busy and you will run into the same lines, same crowds.

Come before memorial day, or in latter August. But NOT labor day weekend.

Wait a second, now I am confused!

That bit about Labor Day weekend through me off.

Let me see if I get this right. It would be best if I could visit the week before Memorial Day...i.e. May 20-26 is what I would shoot for. After that it is really busy.
Now, is the weather and the water nice at the end of May? When I visited in August last year it was very hot and humid and the water was like bath water. I know it won't be that warm in May but I'm hoping for weather in the 70's-80's and water that is not to chilly to enjoy.
Thanks!

**Santa Rosa Pete** · 03-27-2006, 06:28 AM

Where are all these "crowds" I'm hearing about? In 2+ years of owning a home in SRB, I can't remember a single instance where I felt like 30-A was congested or that a line in a restaurant was too long. You do have to creep through Seaside in the summer because there's so much pedestrian traffic but I've never felt like there were too many people crammed into a confined space. Of course, I'm from ATL so everything's relative. I'd say the worst day along 30-A (traffic-wise) is better than any early Sunday morning in Atlanta. If I were you, I'd head on down anytime this spring or summer and not worry a bit about long lines and congestion.

Besides, how bad is it if you find yourself in a line of traffic and all you have to do is look one way and see the beach or look the other way and see brightly colored houses or Mother Nature's Dune Lakes. Have fun!

**Paula** · 03-27-2006, 07:05 AM

I'm going to come to SoWal in June this year, for the first time during peak season. I called the guests at our cottages yesterday (spring break guests) and they said the area was pretty quiet (and they said the beaches looked great which is good to hear given our concerns about the dunes, construction, etc. The guests last week said the same thing. I think those of us who live/own property in the area look at different things -- e.g., dunes, construction -- than many of the guests look at when they are here for a short time). Anyway, I think the crowds and traffic depend on where you are on 30A, not only the time of year that you are here.

**Smiling JOe** · 03-27-2006, 07:06 AM

Don't listen to BR, she is confused.

May is the worst month of the year to visit our beaches. The biting Dog Flies, the dreaded blood-sucking Deer Flies, Sharks come in really close to the beaches, Alligators are becoming active, Snakes are very active, usually bad weather, terrible sunsets, Mosquitos are out and about so the Mosquito Control people spray poison constantly, sometimes via airplane to kill the Dog Flies, clouds usually block the sunsets, fishing is terrible, and most restaurants are closed because they are taking a quick break before the summer crowd arrives. I "May" have left out a few reasons not to come in May. Everything in May is just aweful at the beach. I highly recommend a later date. Why do you think the rental agencies give a price break in May? See reasons above. In May, I tend to stay inside to avoid all of the problems.

**shakennotstirred** · 03-27-2006, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Don't listen to BR, she is confused.

May is the worst month of the year to visit our beaches. The biting Dog Flies, the dreaded blood-sucking Deer Flies, Sharks come in really close to the beaches, Alligators are becoming active, Snakes are very active, usually bad weather, terrible sunsets, Mosquitos are out and about so the Mosquito Control people spray poison constantly, sometimes via airplane to kill the Dog Flies, clouds usually block the sunsets, fishing is terrible, and most restaurants are closed because they are taking a quick break before the summer crowd arrives. I "May" have left out a few reasons not to come in May. Everything in May is just aweful at the beach. I highly recommend a later date. Why do you think the rental agencies give a price break in May? See reasons above. In May, I tend to stay inside to avoid all of the problems.

That just sounds awful! It is worse than October? Is that possible?

**Cheering472** · 03-27-2006, 07:30 AM

We visit in late May or early June. We prefer to come before the holiday weekend because of the rates. However we have arrived on the holiday weekend in the past and while it was busier it wasn't unbearable. It was worse on the beach during the weekend itself and did seem a bit quieter by Tuesday. We are pretty easy going, and don't mind a bit of a wait. We do however stay right around 30A and don't try to fight the mess in Destin for dinner or shopping. We are braving that week again this year, arriving on the holiday weekend so it didn't scare us away. Have funn whenever you get there.

**Smiling JOe** · 03-27-2006, 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by shakennotstirred

That just sounds awful! It is worse than October? Is that possible?

Yes, May is worse than October.

May is definitely the worst, with October pulling a close number two.

**Chickpea** · 03-27-2006, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Yes, May is worse than October.

May is definitely the worst, with October pulling a close number two.

but also

clever - you forgot those yellow flies too....

**Smiling JOe** · 03-27-2006, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by Chickpea

but also

clever - you forgot those yellow flies too....

Thanks, sweetie, but the yellow fly's common name is Deer Fly.

Can you think of some other reasons why all tourists should delay beach vacations until June? I know I am leaving out a few.

**OnMackBayou** · 03-28-2006, 01:52 AM

They are planning on restoring the beach at Miramar as part of the job that recently began at Sandestin. It might be finished by the middle of May in that area. The best time to go would be the time between Mother's Day and Memorial Day. The water temperature will be perfect.

**Rita** · 03-28-2006, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Don't listen to BR, she is confused.

May is the worst month of the year to visit our beaches. The biting Dog Flies, the dreaded blood-sucking Deer Flies, Sharks come in really close to the beaches, Alligators are becoming active, Snakes are very active, usually bad weather, terrible sunsets, Mosquitos are out and about so the Mosquito Control people spray poison constantly, sometimes via airplane to kill the Dog Flies, clouds usually block the sunsets, fishing is terrible, and most restaurants are closed because they are taking a quick break before the summer crowd arrives. I "May" have left out a few reasons not to come in May. Everything in May is just aweful at the beach. I highly recommend a later date. Why do you think the rental agencies give a price break in May? See reasons above. In May, I tend to stay inside to avoid all of the problems.

Is it time to bring out the VINEGAR SPRAY?

BTW - If you are talking Destin area, it will be busier. Go there though --- I hear they have fewer pests! I guess they sent them all east...

Missouri Girl! You'll have a great vacation!