‘Watch your step’: How Red Tide is impacting Collier County beachgoers

The sand, sun, and salty air draw people to the Southwest Florida beaches, but there was more than just salt in the air on Tuesday.

Coughing and dead fish are not part of the ideal beach day, but it doesn’t stop people from grabbing their sunscreen and swimsuits.

And despite the beaches being full a new trip advisor list didn’t rank any of our beaches among the top in the state.

WINK News was at Naples Beach all Tuesday afternoon and saw many tourists. And it became difficult to speak at the beach without coughing.

WINK News asked the beachgoers if they expected the coughing conditions and they said that they didn’t. And when asked if they would have come if they knew the conditions were present, and again they said, no.

“I’m here as a tourist and you have to watch your step,” one tourist said.

It’s all the effects of Red Tide. But is it enough to keep people away from the beach?

Paul Beirnes, the Collier County Director of Tourism, said he hopes not.

“You know, we’ll see where it goes. We’re fingers are crossed that it doesn’t really impact us,” Beirnes said.

Beirnes said the Collier County beaches, like Vanderbilt Beach, Naples Beach, and the Marco Island beaches are doing better than fine.

“Collier beaches are all wide open. In fact, the last of our beaches will be opening up this Saturday, which is barefoot beach will be opening up to the public. So we’re really thrilled about that. they’ve been rigged multiple times every single day since October. They are spectacular. I will put our beaches up against any other beaches in Florida, it is still spectacular destination,” Beirnes said.

And beachgoers agree. Tuesday evening, Naples Beach was packed full of people.

As for the coughing and dead fish, people on Naples Beach said they can handle it.

“It’s worth it. It’s absolutely worth it,” a beachgoer said.

“Look at all the people. It’s beautiful down here,” another beachgoer said.

WINK News asked Beirnes about the TripAdvisor ranking and if he thought that would attract fewer people to come to Collier County. He said there wasn’t a chance of that. In fact, Naples Beach was listed as one of the top 24 beaches in the country on another site, coming in at number 22 on Travelers Worldwide.

See an interactive red tide map on the NOAA website.