Greetings!
May just possibly be down in the Naples, FL area in mid-May....
Anybody know anything about Open Water swimming around Marco Island? I've never been down there.
Please, no advice on Open Water swimming! I'm good with that. I'm asking IF it's a good idea to open water swim around there.... what with those pesky gators & all....
I just hate hotel pools.
Thanks!
Brian
Former Member
I know that there are rip tides on the north end of the island around Tiger Tail. Several people over the last few years have been swept out to sea and drowned there, unsuspectingly.
Former Member
Gators? They can't handle salt water, so as long as you avoid any lakes, you should be fine. (I'm a native Floridian, and I never, ever swim in fresh water anywhere in the state -- there are always gators.) I hear that on occasion, a stray gator will wander into the ocean, but it can't survive in salt water for very long. If you stick to swimming off the beaches, you should be fine.
You're more likely to encounter a stingray, but as long as you steer clear, you'll be okay. Shuffle your feet as you enter the water, and watch for any while you're swimming. And if you're lucky, you'll see some dolphins.
I'll actually be on the Gulf coast myself in mid-May for the Ft. Myers 5K, not too far from Marco. The Gulf coast is beautiful, and there's lots of good shelling. Have fun!
Former Member
Now if any of the people who love to transplant animals from their native ecosystems to a new one have relocated any baby saltwater crocodiles....
