Memorial Day weekend at the beach

According to the weather forecast, the upcoming Memorial Day weekend is expected to include a mix of sun and storms, with clear weather Saturday likely leading to a busy beach day. If your long weekend includes a visit to the coast, plan to reach the beach early to avoid late morning high tides.

Vehicle ramps will open no earlier than 8 a.m., and all vehicles must exit the beach before 7 p.m. In anticipation of the busy weekend, beachgoers are encouraged to access the beach by way of less-trafficked vehicle access ramps. Parking is also available at one of the county’s many off-beach parking lots.

With rip currents an ongoing threat throughout the week and into the weekend, the safest way to enjoy the water is always in front of a staffed lifeguard tower.

For real-time updates on the status of vehicle access ramps, as well as other useful information, like staffed lifeguard towers and beach conditions, download the free Volusia Beaches app from the Google Play or Apple App store.

Beachgoers may see lingering patches of Sargassum seaweed along the sand, which washed ashore in large quantities late last week. While the seaweed creates an unpleasant smell, it proves beneficial to the beach environment by capturing wind-blown sand and restoring elevation. In balanced amounts, it naturally provides nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus to the shoreline waters, as well as brings with it crustaceans that provide food and nutrients to shoreline avian life. Therefore, the county does not remove the seaweed and encourages beachgoers to avoid disturbing it. However, vehicles may park on top of the seaweed.

With May 1 marking the start of turtle season, leaving the beach cleaner than you found it is more important than ever. Beachgoersare asked to flatten sandcastles, fill in holes, and take chairs and equipment with them at the end of their visit, as these are obstacles for nesting sea turtles. Always stay clear of marked sea turtle nests and do not leave trash on the beach as it attracts predators.

While fun in the sun is encouraged on Volusia County beaches, alcohol, glass containers and pets are prohibited. Vehicles must remain in designated driving areas and observe the speed limit. Trash and recycle cans are placed at regular intervals along the beach, and roving carts will canvass the beach to assist with the collection of garbage. Don’t be “shellfish”—do your part to keep the beach clean!

For more information, follow Volusia County Beaches on Facebook and Twitter, visit www.volusia.org/beach, download the Volusia Beaches mobile app, or call 386-239-6414.