These Southwest Florida beaches remain clean and free of blue-green algae, red tide

The News-Press

Steve Gulde of Fort Myers prepares to use his metal detector underwater while Charles Dorn, of Orlando, tries his luck fishing at Bonita Beach Sunday morning. Water at the beach was crystal clear with no evidence of the blue-green algae or red tide that has plagued other areas around SWFL in the past month.

Update:

To view the latest data on red tide and how it may be affecting your area, visit http://myfwc.com/redtidestatus.

Original story:

While some Southwest Florida beaches are under assault by blue-green algae or the effects of red tide, there remain plenty of sandy spots to cool yourself from the summer heat without incurring health hazards.

Lee County-operated Bonita Beach, at the point where Bonita Beach Road turns into Hickory Boulevard, the north part of Turner Beach on Captiva Island and Dog Beach, on Estero Boulevard, remain clean and open.

"All good with no reports and no complaints," said Betsy Clayton, Lee County spokeswoman.

Those at Bonita Beach on Sunday morning seconded that assessment.

"My wife saw it on the news last night," Charles Dorn said about the reports of algae and the red tide. "We haven't seen any of it."

Dorn, who is on vacation from Orlando and was trying his luck fishing from the beach, said even if he had seen the report before coming here, it wouldn't have stopped them.

Steve Gulde was removing his shoes to wade into the surf with his metal detector Sunday.

"It's clear," he said of the water. "It's been clear. The storms yesterday stirred it up a bit."

Gulde said he's found an earring with the detector he just got a few weeks ago. "I keep hoping for a ring," he laughed.

More:It's not all bad news from the beaches: Here are six spots near Fort Myers and Naples in fine shape

More:Lee County legislators ask Gov. Rick Scott to declare state of emergency because of algae problem

More:Red tide still around Captiva, Marco Island

Turner Beach is a split beach with the county operating the north side and the city of Sanibel handling the south.

Sanibel officials said their portion of Turner was fine as was Bowman's Beach on Sanibel Island.

A park ranger at Lovers Key reported clear water.

Early park visitors at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park reported clean conditions at the Collier County state park.

The view from the Lani Kai Island Resort beach cam showed clear water off the beach and people enjoying the day on Sunday.

Along one of the area's most visited areas, Fort Myers Beach, water conditions were reported stable with no algae in sight along the main part of the beach.

A worker at the Lani Kai Island Resort said there were no reports of algae Sunday and people were in the water and swimming.

Connect with this reporter: MichaelBraunNP (Facebook) @MichaelBraunNP (Twitter)

Southwest Florida Beaches reporting good conditions

Bonita Beach
Where: 27954 Hickory Blvd., Bonita Springs
Contact: 239-949-4615

Lovers Key State Park
Where: 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach
Contact: 239-463-4588

Dog Beach
Where: 8800 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach
Contact: 239-949-4615

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
Where: 11135 Gulfshore Drive, North Naples
Contact: 239-597-6196

Turner Beach
Where: 17200 Captiva Drive, Captiva
Contact: 239-472-6397

Bowman's Beach
Where: 1700 Bowman's Beach Road, Sanibel
Contact: 239-472-6397