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Swimming in the Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico might just be the most perfect body of water to swim in in the world. With it’s wonderful warm water, soft, gentle tropical breezes and award winning sugar sand beaches, Sarasota and the Gulf go together like two peas in a pod.
The list of award winning beaches in the gulf is almost as long and wide as the beaches themselves. Starting with Lido Key Beach to the wildly popular Siesta Key, down to Casey Key and further south to North Jetty Park and Venice Beach and Brohard Park, Sarasota is blessed with an almost endless list of places to go for a dip in the gulf. Most of the beaches in the Sarasota area are manned by a lifeguard throughout the year, but some are not. If you are not an expert swimmer, be careful using beaches that are not manned by a lifeguard.
The water in the gulf, while not comfortable enough to swim in year round, does stay warmer longer than almost any other body of water. The average temperatures of the gulf range from the mid to high 80’s F (31 C) in the summer to the low 60’s F (17 C) during the winter months.
Maybe the most beautiful part of swimming in the gulf in the color of the water. The color changes throughout the year depending on the amount of sun, but it’s usually either a deep, shining emerald green or a light and almost translucent sapphire blue. If you take a boat out into the gulf, the water clears up even further and it allows you to see all the way to the bottom.
While currents aren’t as strong on the gulf side of Florida as they are on the Atlantic Ocean side, you should still be aware of days and times when currents may be too strong for swimmers who aren’t experts. The best thing to do is to consult with the lifeguard on duty and ask him or her how the currents are on that day.
If taking the surfboard out for a spin is more your speed, there are many spots up and down the gulf coast, and even right in the Sarasota area where surfing is popular. North Jetty Park in nearby Nokomis, Florida is a surfers dream come true and attracts wave hounds from all over the southeast whenever there is a nasty storm churning away in the gulf. Be warned, however, when a storm is brewing in the gulf, it can play havoc with the currents and unless you’re an expert swimming and surfer, it is recommended that you stick to watching the giant waves from the beach.
Swimming in the Gulf of Mexico is one of the best parts about visiting and living in Sarasota. The incredible year round temperatures combined with the silky soft and well taken care of beaches make Sarasota the number one destination in the southeast for that perfect gulf experience. | 