How late in the year do you swim in the gulf?

Aah, you are on vacation, let the beach service take care of you!;-) The water temp is 79 and feels great. I swim much more in October than I do any May, water feels colder in the spring, imo. Have fun and enjoy the beach, it is beautiful this month!

Thanks! I can't wait. Not sure why I'm so worried about everything this time, but I'm going to try to relax. I think it's simply that things have been so stressful around here lately that I'm really relying on this trip. . .

I'm not worried about the water temp now thanks to you guys; now I'm probably going to worry about the flies. I hope vinegar works.

The gulf is funn every month of the year. When it gets cold, put on the old wet suit. There is always a brief acclamation period when the water is chilly but it's not as bad you would think. I can't believe more people don't get out and utilize our amazing water all year. I think it's funn to go swimming on Christmas and New Years just to say I did! Also, with a suit, there is no fear of flies or jellies. It's a neoprene security blanket! You guys might think I'm crazy, but I couldn't recommend it more.

Real men (and boys and girls and wimmens) don't wear wet suits.

Photos - Beaches of South Walton - 01/01/10

You do if you don't want your OMB to play hide and seek!!:lolabove::lolabove::lolabove:

That was great. How do you find these things??????

Well, I'm certainly not worried about shrinkage!

How's the seaweed around Seacrest now? We're bringing some people who've only ever visited Atlantic beaches, and we've bragged so much about how clear the water is that I'd hate to be proven wrong. Yeah, I know, it can change daily--still . . .

By the way, if anyone's interested, my avatar pic is a large school of stingrays we saw migrating down the coast from our balcony in May. I'm not sure how common a sight that is in SoWal, but it was the coolest thing I ever saw.

Hello, everyone. I'm just a lowly tourist who has been coming to SoWal for the past six years. We're coming down next week (13th-17th) for our second trip this year, but it's our first October trip (we usually come in May, and once came in August). We already had a fantastic trip earlier this year in May--I've never seen the water so clear or so beautiful. Anyway, I guess I'm wondering how similar the weather and beach conditions will be in October compared to that fantastic May trip. I've been told October is the best time to come, but I'm now afraid it's going to be a little too cold to get in the water.


So, I have a (lengthy!) list of specific questions for you natives:

• What's the latest in the year you usually get in the gulf? How cold is too cold for you guys, both air and water temperature-wise?
• How are dog flies right now? This year was the first time we'd ever encountered them on the beach, and they were awful--my legs were nothing but welts.
• Are beach chair/umbrella rental companies still open this time of year?
• Finally, I know it's a common question, but are june grass or other algae/seaweed still around? I've been obsessively looking at those beach cams, and it sometimes looks like big, dark patches of seaweed are still lingering in places. Again, that trip in May was so awesome that I'd love it if the water were that clear again.

But yes, we're coming no matter what; I just like to know what to expect. We're staying in Seacrest, btw.

Thanks so much! I hope my questions aren't too pushy or touristy. We love the area.

Honestly this is an irrelevant question, it changes so frequently that an answer given the night before could be different the next morning.