Is there red tide on Marco Island today?

Check the status at the top of this page. It combines the latest beach reports from Mote Marine Laboratory's volunteers (respiratory irritation, dead fish and water color at Tigertail Beach and South Marco Beach) with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's latest water samples.

Red tide is a harmful algal bloom caused by high concentrations of Karenia brevis , a microscopic alga found naturally in the Gulf. In large numbers it releases toxins that can kill fish, make shellfish unsafe to eat, and irritate people's eyes and lungs when the toxins become airborne near the water.

When does red tide happen in Southwest Florida?

It can occur at any time of year, but blooms along Southwest Florida most often begin in late summer or fall and can last from weeks to months. Conditions change daily and from beach to beach, so check close to your visit.

Is it safe to swim during red tide?

Many people swim without problems, but red tide can cause skin irritation and burning eyes. People with asthma or other lung conditions should avoid affected beaches, nobody should swim among dead fish, and pets should be kept out of the water.

Is seafood safe to eat during red tide?

Seafood from stores and restaurants is safe: Florida monitors commercial shellfish beds and closes them during red tide. Don't harvest your own shellfish from affected areas, and never eat fish found dead.

What does respiratory irritation mean in the beach reports?

It's what the reporter noticed at the beach: coughing, sneezing, a scratchy throat or watery eyes. It's a common sign of red tide but can have other causes, so it's best read alongside dead fish reports and water samples.

How do I report dead fish?

Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Fish Kill Hotline at 1-800-636-0511, or report online . Reports help scientists track red tide along the coast.

Today's Red Tide Status on Marco Island, FL

The latest beach reports and FWC water samples for Marco Island's beaches, from Tigertail Beach to South Marco Beach.

Updated Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Right now

No red tide reported at Marco Island beaches

Beaches reporting: 2 of 2; Last 3 days
Respiratory irritation: None reported
Dead fish: None reported
Water samples: Not present; FWC · taken Oct 18

Marco Island beaches

Tigertail Beach
No red tide signs
Respiratory irritation
None
Dead fish
None
Water
Clear
Beach flag
Green
Reported Oct 31, 11:30 AM
Water sample: not present (Oct 1, North Beach, Marco Island)
Full beach report →
South Marco Beach
No red tide signs
Respiratory irritation
None
Dead fish
None
Water
Clear
Beach flag
Yellow
Reported Oct 31, 1:15 PM
Water sample: not present (Oct 12, South Marco Beach)
Full beach report →

Water samples

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) tests the water at these beaches every week or two for Karenia brevis, the algae behind Florida's red tide. Results are published some days after sampling, so the latest may be a week or two old: the beach reports above are the same-day check.

Sampling site	Latest result	Recent samples (newest first)
Marco Island Beach Marco Island	Not present Oct 18	Oct 18: Not present Oct 1: Not present
South Marco Beach Marco Island	Not present Oct 12	Oct 12: Not present Oct 5: Not present Sep 28: Not present Sep 21: Not present Sep 14: Not present Sep 8: Not present Aug 31: Not present

How FWC grades a sample (Karenia brevis cells per liter)

Not present background or none (0–1,000)
Very low >1,000–10,000
Low >10,000–100,000
Medium >100,000–1,000,000
High >1,000,000

If red tide is at the beach

Check before you go. Conditions change by the day and from one beach to the next: if one beach is affected, another a few miles away may be clear.
Mind your breathing. Red tide can cause coughing, sneezing and watery eyes near the water. People with asthma or other lung conditions should avoid affected beaches.
Don't swim near dead fish, and keep pets out of the water, away from sea foam and dead fish.
Store and restaurant seafood is safe. Commercial shellfish beds are monitored and closed during red tide; don't harvest your own from affected areas.

See a fish kill?

Report it to FWC's Fish Kill Hotline, which helps scientists track red tide along the coast.

Call 1-800-636-0511

Report online with FWC

Where this comes from

Beach reports: Mote Marine Laboratory's Beach Conditions Reporting System: trained volunteers report from each beach most days. visitbeaches.org
Water samples: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) red tide sampling, and its statewide status, updated regularly. FWC red tide status
Forecasts: NOAA's harmful algal bloom forecasts for Florida's Gulf coast, for the days ahead. NOAA HAB forecasts

Heading to Naples? See red tide status for Naples and Bonita Springs