Current Beach Updates & Conditions
We're Walking on Sunshine! America's Best Beaches Are Ready to Welcome You

Tierra Verde is the gateway to Fort de Soto Park, an unspoiled natural playground with pristine beaches.
Sun and fun is the order of the day along our 35 miles of sparkling shores. As you enjoy our beaches, please remember to be considerate of other visitors, wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, and have a fabulous beach day!
Explore current conditions, including respiratory irritation, specific to each beach location by reviewing the map and information below.
Red Tide Respiratory Information
If you're looking for respiratory irritation forecast information, click here. This experimental tool tries to predict where the air may cause irritation based on wind and ocean current forecasts.
Data is provided by FWC and samples are collected once a week. Last updated: 11/1/2021

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Fred Howard Park
Red Tide Level: None
Fred Howard Park is open, 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The park includes beach access, beach parking, beach chair and umbrella rentals, equipment rentals and food concessions.
- No respiratory irritation
- No fish kill
Honeymoon Island
Red Tide Level: None
Honeymoon Island State Park is open, 8 a.m. to sunset. The state park system is asking visitors to keep a six-foot distance from others not in their group, and to wear masks when indoors (such as in the restroom).
- No respiratory irritation
- No fish kill
Caladesi Island
Red Tide Level: None
Caladesi Island State Park is open, 8 a.m. to sunset. The Caladesi Island ferry is running, or you can rent a kayak on the Dunedin Causeway to get to the island. The north beach restroom is open, but all other facilities (cafe and marina, boat camping) are closed.
- No respiratory irritation
- No fish kill
Clearwater Beach
Red Tide Level: None
Clearwater Beach is open 24 hours a day. The beach offers restrooms and concessions. Pier 60 is open and a sunset celebration is held nightly, weather permitting.
- No respiratory irritation
- No fish kill
Belleair Beach
Belleair Beach is open 24 hours a day.
Sand Key
Red Tide Level: None
Sand Key Park is open, 9 a.m. to sunset. This includes beach access, beach parking, beach chair and umbrella rentals, equipment rentals and food concessions.
- Moderate respiratory irritation
- No fish kill
Indian Shores
Red Tide Level: None
Indian Shores and Indian Rocks Beach are open 24 hours a day.
- No respiratory irritation
- No fish kill
North Redington/Redington Beach
Red Tide Level: None
North Redington/Redington Beach is open 24 hours a day.
- No respiratory irritation
- No fish kill
Madeira Beach
Red Tide Level: None
Madeira Beach is open 24 hours a day.
- No respiratory irritation
- No fish kill
Treasure Island
Red Tide Level: None
Treasure Island is open 24 hours a day.
- No respiratory irritation
- No fish kill
St. Pete Beach
Red Tide Level: None
St. Pete Beach is open 24 hours a day.
- No respiratory irritation
- No fish kill
Pass-A-Grille
Red Tide Level: None
Pass-a-Grille is open 24 hours a day.
- No respiratory irritation
- No fish kill
Shell Key, Fort De Soto & Egmont Key
Red Tide Level: None
Shell Key Preserve is open 24 hours a day. Camping permits are required. Fort De Soto Park is open, dawn until dusk. This includes beach access, beach parking, beach chair and umbrella rentals, equipment rentals and food concessions.
- No respiratory irritation
- No fish kill
Red Tide FAQ
Red Tide FAQ
What is red tide?
Red tide is a higher-than-normal concentration of a microscopic alga (plantlike organism). In Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, the species that causes most red tides is Karenia brevis, often abbreviated as K. brevis.
Is red tide a new phenomenon?
No, red tides were documented in the southern Gulf of Mexico as far back as the 1700s and along Florida's Gulf coast in the 1840s.
How long do red tides last?
Red tides can last as little as a few weeks or longer than a year. They can even subside and then reoccur. The duration of a bloom in nearshore Florida waters depends on physical and biological conditions that influence its growth and persistence, including sunlight, nutrients and salinity, as well as the speed and direction of wind and water currents.
Do red tides occur anywhere else?
Yes, many algae species cause red tides all over the world. However, the organism that causes Florida's red tide, Karenia brevis, is found almost exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico and occurs from Mexico to Florida. K. brevis can be transported around the Gulf of Mexico as coastal waters move with winds and currents. Some red tides have even been carried by the Gulf Stream current into the Atlantic Ocean as far north as Delaware.
Will I experience respiratory irritation during a red tide in Florida?
Some people experience respiratory irritation (coughing, sneezing, tearing and an itchy throat) when the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, is present and winds blow onshore. Offshore winds usually keep respiratory effects experienced by those on the shore to a minimum. The Florida Department of Health advises people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions, such as emphysema or asthma, to avoid red tide areas.
Is it safe to swim during a red tide in Florida?
Swimming is safe for most people. However, red tide can cause some people to suffer skin irritation and burning eyes. People with respiratory illness may also experience respiratory irritation in the water. Use common sense. If you are particularly susceptible to irritation from plant products, avoid an area with a red tide bloom. If you experience irritation, get out of the water and thoroughly wash off.
Is it OK to eat shellfish at a restaurant or purchase shellfish from a seafood market during a red tide?
Store-bought and restaurant-served shellfish are safe to eat during a bloom because the shellfish are monitored by the government for safety. Commercially available shellfish are often not locally harvested and, if harvested locally, are tested for red tide toxins before they are sold.
Where can I get more information about red tide?
For complete information and advisories, please refer to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservatin Commission's red tide pages.