Businesses working to overcome red tide issues as crowds flock to Fort Myers Beach for the weekend.

Fort Myers Beach, Florida. On Friday, what blew out of the bay rattled flags and coughed and sneezed visitors to Fort Myers Beach.

Beach goers say they are familiar with Red Tide.

“We have been in this before in Destin,” said one person on the beach.

Ryan Van Denabile, marketing director for Salty Sam’s Marina in Fort Myers Beach, said you’ll know it once you’re in it. “Unfortunately, no one likes to see a dead fish or a slight scratchy throat,” Van Denabile said.

Salty Sam’s, part of whose property was destroyed by Hurricane Ian, appears to be back on its feet, welcoming guests back to its restaurant and sending customers on pirate ship and dolphin tours.

Van Denabile said that unlike the damage done by Jan, they cannot fix Red Tide with their tools. “It’s kind of like mother nature, so you just take the hits and try to load the boat,” Van Denabile said.

On Friday, Van Denabile said that customers also seemed to be taking a beating. “I feel that the conditions are not ideal, but I feel that people do not want perfection, now they understand,” Van Denabile said.

Realizing that, like the still sunken boats in the harbor from Yan and the stench that blows over the weekend, guests are still ready to throw themselves into the water.

“I think people are still being recognized to some extent and it comes in waves, some areas are worse than others,” Van Denabile said.