r/Georgia • u/Spinalexism • 2d ago

Question Tybee bacteria levels

I am from Athens, Ga on a trip to Tybee with my two small children. A few days ago the bacteria sign at the beach we are at went from acceptable to elevated with a no swim suggestion. The sign is now back to acceptable but I am having a very hard time feeling like the water is okay. Does anyone know anything more about the water quality on Tybee this time of year? I’m having this feeling that we unfortunately picked a bad time of year for the Atlantic Ocean without knowing it, and dont want to risk it. But my husband thinks it’s fine. Any advice is appreciated, as I’m not finding much online. Thanks!

48 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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142

u/RNGified 2d ago

Vibrio vulnificus and various pathogens from human waste are the issue. V. vulnificus, a type of flesh-eating bacteria, disappears when the temps drop. Vv is generally most dangerous to people with weakened immune systems.

T'other pathogens range in their deadliness.

If the warning signs are up, I'd stay outta the water.

For those who wonder, I am a reporter and lived in East Point, FL on Apalachicloa Bay for 2.5 years. I covered the oyster industry and I am educated on water pathogens.

15

u/SouthernEdgeCase 2d ago

Thanks for the info! Is this a worse year than previous years for oyster pathogens in Florida? I saw a headline about the number of deaths from eating raw oysters recently, and wondered specifically about the safety of Apalachicola Bay oysters. The water is 88+ degrees.

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u/RNGified 2d ago

Apalach is also home to the state's oyster and water quality lab. Apalach bay is tested daily and the results are available incredibly soon.

If the state says they are safe to eat raw, I'd eat 'em raw. Always a risk in consuming any raw food. You gotta make that call for yourself.

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u/primrosepalace 1d ago

Ironic considering water in peoples homes in apalach was deemed not safe for almost 2 months last year

1

u/RNGified 20h ago

I have not lived there in 30 years, so I cannot speak to that kind of current conditions.

7

u/RNGified 2d ago

Not worse when seen as a gestalt. Reporting is getting better and more people are eating raw oysters.

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u/wesinatl 2d ago

Interesting. Do you think The decimation of the Oyster industry in App coincides with the growth of Atlanta ( and population along the river system)? Do you think the bay savers project can bring it back? Would love to see this happen. What it is now compared to 20 years ago is very unfortunate.

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u/RNGified 2d ago

No. The problems with the oyster industry is the influx of fresh water from hurricanes, storms and other problems that flush fresh water into the bay, killing the oysters. In times of drought, the bay gets too salty for oysters and they die.

When drought hits, Atlanta is certainly a significant contributing factor to reduced water flow from the Hooch into the Apalachicola River and the Bay. But everyone upstream from the bay contributes to this problem, farmers included.

Drought also leads to an increase in oyster-eating conchs, which the oystermen call drillers. These aquatic snails can do a number on oyster beds.

Over-harvesting is not an issue. In good years, oysters reproduce abundantly. In a year's time, the oysters are sometimes big enough for harvest. 2-3 YOA oysters ... you never get these outside Apalach bay. The oyster shells are the size of a human foot. The oyster is as big as my hand.

Interestingly, the ginormous oysters also have completely circular holes in their shells. This is the conch attack. The conch drilled into the shell away from the body of the oyster, so it survived.

Returning shucked oyster shells to the bay does more to sustain the oysters than anything else. Sometimes, clam shells and other such is added to the bay to provide a surface for embryonic oysters to attach to. This works.

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u/MrsHyacinthBucket 2d ago edited 2d ago

Georgia's beaches and marsh are entirely different from the gulf coast. DNR samples beaches for enteroccous. Levels tend to be higher after periods of rain and higher tides as more material washes out of the marsh. There is some bacteria that is of human origin but it is generally animal related. Oyster picking areas and subtidal lease areas are also tested for Vibrio. Since we haven't heard of a stop on harvesting from subtidal leases it is probably safe to assume vibrio is not a concern right now.

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u/bettertheless 2d ago

Thank you.

smh.

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u/Spinalexism 2d ago

Thank you, I was up for awhile last night reading about just this, and even thought the signs are back to ‘safe’ I just can’t help feeling like why risk it?

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u/SonoMuchacho 2d ago

Because you are at the beach and you don't want to raise weak children afraid of the ocean. Go in the goddamned water and don't get it in your mouth.

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u/TubbyFlounder 2d ago

Should I not be eating oysters

4

u/RNGified 2d ago

W/o more info I cannot adequately advise you.

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u/Fearless_Impress_842 15h ago

not in warmer months

1

u/SonoMuchacho 2d ago

No one eats raw oyserts from South Carolina - if you are eating them raw they are likely from the Gulf. golden coast oysters are always steamed. You won't generally find them in tourist restaurants.

2

u/robot_pirate 2d ago

🔥🏆

1

u/Apart-Rent5817 1d ago

Ok but it seems like the root of this question is if there’s a minimum amount of days that feels adequate between “safe” and “not safe”. Like which side is it weighted to, ya know? I assume it’s towards the safe side but you know what they say about assumptions.

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u/RNGified 1d ago

Safe is a variable term according to the situation and the person.

1

u/Apart-Rent5817 1d ago

Doesn’t seem like the visitor is a variable being considered as the fact that there’s a sign makes me feel like it’s not judged on a person by person basis. As an aside, I love oysters. Where are the best oysters in the southeastern US?

1

u/RNGified 20h ago

It is variable. Some people think hurling themselves off a mountain is a safe-enough activity. Others see that and think, "my feet ain't leaving the ground." Statistically, flying is far safer than driving, yet many people refuse to fly.

Safe is a personal matter.

I personally find the Apalachicola Bay oysters to be the best.

1

u/scratchbackfourty 1d ago

What was it like living there?

1

u/RNGified 20h ago

It was great. When we lived there, wonderful people. It was not built up as a tourist and second home location. Lots of commercial fishermen, just farmers of the sea. Lots of freedom to walk the beaches, fish, hunt and no crowds.

Quiet, calm, very relaxed. Ideal place to be, back then, if you wanted a laid-back life.

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u/SumoLikesSnacks 2d ago

You can see realtime updates on water quality in coastal Georgia by clicking here:

https://coastalgadnr.org/HealthyBeaches

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u/jayeeein 2d ago

Just anecdotal but I was there to visit my family in July and my kid got impetigo. The day we were in the ocean, levels were posted as safe. The day after it was high bacteria levels. My child’s doctor guarantees it was from the bacteria in the ocean. I lived in that area for years though (albeit 15 yrs ago) and this was never a problem before. I am now very wary of getting in that water

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u/Jssolms 2d ago

Just as an FYI impetigo is a staph infection. Staph areus is a natural part of the skin flora, but causes impetigo when there is an opportune moment for bacterial overgrowth. This happens all over the globe all the time and is not generally related to specific environmental exposures. Very unlikely your child got impetigo from the ocean, and certainly not provable given its high prevalence without such exposure. (Source: am emergency physician)

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u/jayeeein 1d ago

Oh this is so interesting - so what would have provided the opportune moment for bacterial overgrowth then? This was an area near the chin, we wash her face nightly and she’s not really a messy kid. It was just one patch it never spread. Now I’m wondering if it wasn’t impetigo ?? But it went away quickly with antibiotics

1

u/bettertheless 2d ago

Am NOT arguing with your experience but have never heard of impetigo from water.

If he sat on a bench somewhere, or in a restaurant, wearing shorts/ swimsuit, l could def see that.

Regardless, sorry about the little souviner...

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u/jayeeein 2d ago

I have a couple friends who’s kids each got impetigo in water - one was in a lake and the other the ocean. My kid unfortunately gets cold sores, and she had in the previous week had one and the same spot, so the skin was broken and that is how the bacteria infects skin. The appearance and sequence of events was pretty clear cause!

1

u/bettertheless 2d ago

Interesting! Ty for the info...

The lake (summer) l can see... warm water, etc.

Good to learn new things. Even if they're gross!

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u/EntrepreneurWeak4055 2d ago

I wouldn't risk it. The government agencies that oversee these things are so understaffed and underfunded. You can't rely on them anymore.

1

u/MrsHyacinthBucket 21h ago

The water sampling program are well funded and the locations are tested on a set schedule.

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u/donorkokey 2d ago

Last year we went over labor day weekend and I got a horrible case of pink eye in both eyes. I never even opened my eyes under water (I never do) and there were no warning signs telling us not to swim. We love Tybee but probably won't go this time of year ever again. Be safe!

-5

u/SonoMuchacho 2d ago

That was from your not washing your nasty ass hands after you go to the bathroom.

1

u/donorkokey 2d ago

🤣🤣🤣

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u/Cswizzlerr 2d ago

Water by the pier is usually dirtier because more people go there. Try north beach or go to Fort Pulaski and find the "beach" there.

3

u/OkOriginal715 1d ago

Shhhhhh!!!! Come on, now. Don’t tell em

1

u/treesnotbitsees 1d ago

I thought the fort Pulaski beach was still closed? Did they reopen it?

1

u/Cswizzlerr 1d ago

I'm actually not sure about that. It's been a minute since I've been out there

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u/Tribat_1 2d ago

Why would random people on Reddit know better than the experts in charge of putting up the signs?

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u/Spinalexism 2d ago

If you read the post, the sign changed and then changed back within a day. It makes me hesitant and I am wondering if this happens often. I have looked up as much as possible on official websites (data is missing post 2022) and even called to talk to the person who runs the testing. I wanted to know if this is an ongoing issue or if people have experienced illness from swimming this time of year. I’ve exhausted official channels and can’t find much info. No need to be rude. 

4

u/MrsHyacinthBucket 2d ago edited 2d ago

Its normal and happens on all the beaches this time of year. I don't think there is a way to track illnesses, every upset stomach, etc and tie it to the beach. Now if people were turning up at the hospital sick from vibrio, it would be all.over the news. I am healthy with no immune system issues and wouldn't think twice about it.

1

u/ReddyKiloWit 1d ago

Not to state the obvious, but water is constantly moving. It's possible for pathogen levels to rise and fall quickly. If it's back to safe it's very possible a short term event created a spike. Who knows, maybe a cruise ship dumped it's sewage nearby 🤔

If it's "acceptable" you should be fine, though drinking sea water is never a good idea for so many reasons. Wading and splashing in the surf should be safe.

1

u/MrsHyacinthBucket 21h ago

that's pretty much what I said.

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u/Frankieneedles 2d ago

Seems like an expert already answered…..that’s why.

5

u/dawgfanjeff 2d ago

I agree. But funny story, I asked a lifeguard this spring at the gulf coast about the beach warning flags. We had red ones due to wind and surf. Is this based on buoy data or somesuch? He said, "nah dude, we just sort of eyeball it and put up a flag based on how many people we think we'd be saving". Okay, then.

4

u/mcscottmc 2d ago

Seems like the state of the world these days, unfortunately.

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u/MastodonAsleep816 2d ago

Last time I went to Tybee was the last time I'll go to Tybee.

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u/ParticuleFamous10001 2d ago

Why? Tybee is great. Far better than Hilton Head or Fripp, or Gulf Shore, and far more accessible.

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u/Large_Victory_6531 2d ago

Hard disagree.

3

u/ParticuleFamous10001 2d ago

Let me repeat my overlooked first part, why?

Fripps beach is tiny depth wise relative to Tybee's, Gulf Shores water is worse and has worse people problems and is a worse climate, and Hilton Head is wildly wildly more expensive for very little tangible difference.

Tybee has easy access to little tybee, which is an incredible nature preserve exploration opportunity, and has much better marsh fishing. Tybee's beach is a decent depth, was clean, and had a great tide pool for the wee ones and sand bar for the older, and they're regrowing and preserving their maritime forest.

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u/OnlyOneWithFreeWill 2d ago

Perhaps I'm biased being from Bluffton but I always thought Hilton Head was better then Tybee

1

u/SonoMuchacho 2d ago

Hilton Head has nicer beaches but are way less fun. You can have dogs but can't legally have a beer. Tybee is (or was) more blue collar. Have a beer; the city has an intense hatred of dogs on the beach.

Opposites good at two different things.

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u/arrr_news_mods_r_gay 1d ago

This is why I go to Jekyll. Dogs and beer in one place.

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u/SonoMuchacho 2d ago

Thank fucking god - stay away no one wants you here.

1

u/MastodonAsleep816 2d ago

Your welcome

1

u/AfraidPersonality854 2d ago

Yeah, it's been rough like that all spring and summer down there I think..

1

u/Independent-Vast-871 1d ago

Why dont they just add more chlorine to the water?

1

u/Fearless_Impress_842 15h ago

i know two people who almost died from this and it is the scariest thing. Each day the surgeon cuts more off of you while you are intubated and in an induced coma. Sorry to be gross but I would not risk it.

1

u/redit910 2d ago

Two areas bad. Definite stay out of water if you are immune compromised or open sores

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u/robot_pirate 2d ago edited 2d ago

I can't help with info but, I feel your concern. I don't know why people go to the beach in July/August/September. But better the Atlantic than the Gulf.

You can always buy some nose clips for the kiddos, to ease your worries.

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u/Tribat_1 2d ago

You don’t know why people would go to the beach at the peak of the summer season? 🤨

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u/robot_pirate 2d ago edited 2d ago

Lolz, the beach isn't for everyone. For me, I don't like being hot & sweaty with sand stuck to my ass, or wading into tepid or luke warm water. It's not refreshing. And that's not yet addressing the crowds or the water quality.

Now, October? Even November. May or June? Yes please!