Do you swim in October in sowal?

The water temperatures usually are in the low 80s at the start of October and fall to 75-78F by the first week in November.

A competition swimming pool is usually kept at 78F.

Yes, we do. C'mon!!

It's better than March or April. ;-)

I love September and October at the beach! We swim during that time of year, more in September but I have been known to snorkel in October also.

October 15 is about my cut-off date for a good swim and this is from someone who likes her water like soup. ;-)

In 2008-09 swam every month except Jan and Feb (couldn't make it down but might have jumped in just to complete the year if we had). Pretty cold in December and March, but October (if no hurricane and flies aren't out) may be the best time of year. More pleasant on the beach then than July and Aug, imho.

Same here... I swam in December, and again in March. I enjoy cold water though - the water here is never too cold IMO.

October is the best for beach time... the only possible negatives are: 1) A hurricane/tropical storm blowing in, and 2) Black flies. I just discovered Cactus Juice this summer, I'm hoping it's good for black flies too...

Every chance I get (which is not nearly enough anymore)

My family makes annual trip every Thanksgiving and we swim....It is great. The water is usually clearer and calmer. I love it....And hey, I don't spend the day in the kitchen on Thanksgiving...but don't tell anybody

It's better than March or April. ;-)

I don't even attempt to get in the water during spring break. I am very cold natured.

October 15 is about my cut-off date for a good swim and this is from someone who likes her water like soup. ;-)

The first weekend in October the Gulf is nice and warm. The second weekend it's usually good. But October 15 (when we're there for fall break) is my cutoff, too.

So what's the deal with black flies? Is that an Oct. thing? Is it every year? I am not familiar. I have one vague childhood memory of them though..

So what's the deal with black flies? Is that an Oct. thing? Is it every year? I am not familiar. I have one vague childhood memory of them though..

From what I recall the flies come mostly in September as a result of shifting winds (coming from the north).

Get some Cactus Juice and you'll be fine. I think For the Health of It and a few other places on 30A sell it...

Yes- the Gulf is very swim worthy in October...

Cactus juice? The last remedy I heard down there was Publix distilled vinegar (which really doesn't work that well). Tell me more....

Cactus juice? The last remedy I heard down there was Publix distilled vinegar (which really doesn't work that well). Tell me more....

I don't know how or why it works so well. I only know for certain that it does-

Cactus Juice

Yeah, I know, we just left and I'm already trying to come back..

Is October swimmable? Weather.com said the avg high was 80. I'm thinking that might be a little cool for my toddler (?) Or is it really warm enough to swim?
Maybe Sept would be better?

I prefer to live vicariously off the tourists.....being a Southern Floridian, transplanted to "the north", my blood is WAY to thin to swim in anything but a heated pool/jacuzzi come October!

October could be chilly for a toddler, but it's a great time to swim for older kids/adults.

I swim Easter to Halloween, but I am a water baby who used to swim in snow melt.

Cactus juice? The last remedy I heard down there was Publix distilled vinegar (which really doesn't work that well). Tell me more....

Cactus Juice is a repellent, IIRC the distilled vinegar is to south bites. Although usually ammonia works good for insect bites, vinegar for jellyfish.

Yeah, I know, we just left and I'm already trying to come back..

Is October swimmable? Weather.com said the avg high was 80. I'm thinking that might be a little cool for my toddler (?) Or is it really warm enough to swim?
Maybe Sept would be better?

Is the wild bear a Catholic? Does the pope ... (er, never mind)

Yeah, I know, we just left and I'm already trying to come back..

Is October swimmable? Weather.com said the avg high was 80. I'm thinking that might be a little cool for my toddler (?) Or is it really warm enough to swim?
Maybe Sept would be better?

I swim year round, haha. I surf so I get in the water whenever the waves are up, not going by the temperature. I think it feels nice in October, it might be a little chilled though.

I swim year round, haha. I surf so I get in the water whenever the waves are up, not going by the temperature. I think it feels nice in October, it might be a little chilled though.

DUDE...I have missed you! See you in October, deal?

Have you played any basketball, lately?

The warm waters of the Gulf have spoiled me and now I have a hard time swimming in anything cooler : ) I have swam as late as the third weekend of October very comfortably and I'm a big baby when it comes to cold water.

October could be chilly for a toddler, but it's a great time to swim for older kids/adults.

I swim Easter to Halloween, but I am a water baby who used to swim in snow melt.

in my experience, children (tiny tots to about age 15) will swim in any temperature! at least my kid, and most every one I've ever seen out on the beach - cold is not a deterrant for kids! it is for me though.

Cactus Juice is a repellent, IIRC the distilled vinegar is to south bites. Although usually ammonia works good for insect bites, vinegar for jellyfish.

I've never known ANY repellent to work with the little biting black SOB flies. once they find you, you must either enter the water or leave the beach. there are times when you cannot stay on the beach for longer than 15 minutes. if flies are seriously out with a north wind, we don't even bother going. those flying bat turds sting and they don't care about repellent. and they are really horrible on dogs - especially brown or black dogs - I guess a dog could be used to keep them away from you but that would be terrible to do to your dog!