LEE COUNTY, Fla. -- Although some businesses are hurting because of green algae blooms, others are holding their own and thriving despite the blooms.
Several popular spots in Cape Coral, like the Cape Coral Yacht Club are covered in algae. Kids are finding alternatives by using pools and water parks like Sun Splash on Santa Barbara Boulevard. Guests tell manager Sandra Greiner the park is a good way to avoid the algae. "It's either the dead fish, or it's been the algae, so they've done the alternative," she said.
A few years ago, the Lee County area saw similar blooms. Sunsplash proved to be relief for people who still wanted to cool off in the Florida sun. "We were extremely busy that year," Greiner said.
If you still want to be around nature and cool off, you don't have to go too far. Water in Matlacha has not been affected by algae. Businesses like Gulf Coast Kayak are doing well despite algae concerns. They are weeks into their summer camp, where kids have been learning about the environment. "It's been good. We've been lucky," said instructor and ecology guide Jim Neihaus. "This area has a tidal influence, so the tide energy that comes in from the gulf is like a pulse of life for the estuary. It's what's refreshing and renewing and replenishing."
Tim Goodspeed, a Cape Coral resident 4 In Your Corner met fishing on the Matlacha Bridge, is glad algae hasn't reached the water there too. He said fishing has been good on the island. "If you're shore fishing, this is the easiest place to go," he said. "If it's going to show up, in my opinion, it'll be south of us."
While our reporters were out, people they talked to had other suggestions. They said beaches in Bonita Springs and north near Englewood are clear as well.
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