CC Help Jenn Oysters are also harvested on a large scale from many of the bays and sounds. From the floor of the basin rise the Sigsbee Knolls, some of which attain heights of 1,300 feet (400 metres); these are surface expressions of the buried salt domes. As part of the project educational outreach Nautilus Productions in partnership with BOEM, Texas A&M University, the Florida Public Archaeology Network[33] and Veolia Environmental produced a one-hour HD documentary[34] about the project, short videos for public viewing and provided video updates during the expedition. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. In 1697, Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville sailed for France and was chosen by the Minister of Marine to lead an expedition to rediscover the mouth of the Mississippi River and to colonize Louisiana which the English coveted. The German submarine U-166 was a Type IXC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. If you are really set on Mexico look into Akumal. Native sea life thrives, though at much slower pace with just a few notable . Address: Boulevard Mar De Cortez, 23403 San Jos del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico. Rosel E. P.. Corkeron P.. Engleby L.. Epperson D.. Mullin D. K.. Soldevilla S. M.. Taylor L. B.. 2016. [39], Various biota include chemosynthetic communities near cold seeps and non chemosynthetic communities such as bacteria and other micro benthos, meiofauna, macrofauna, and megafauna (larger organisms such as crabs, sea pens, crinoids, demersal fish, cetaceans, and the extinct Caribbean monk seal) are living in the Gulf of Mexico. The basin is unusually flat, having a gradient of only about 1 foot (0.3 metre) in every 8,000 feet (2,440 metres). While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The waters of the Gulf Coast tend to be comparatively calm in August, which makes the end of the summer a great time for taking charters out from the coast. The nation boasts nearly 5,800 miles of coastline, stretching along the warm Gulf of Mexico to the east and the . The latest forecasts from the National Hurricane Center show the potential for two different tropical cyclones in the Gulf of Mexico next week. The samples were collected for years by the former Minerals Management Service (renamed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement) to help predict the potential impacts of future oil/gas explorations. The five coastal states on the Gulf of Mexico - Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas - all have rigs-to-reefs programmes and have converted more than 500 oil and gas platforms . It is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Straits of Florida, running between the peninsula of Florida and the island of Cuba, and to the Caribbean Sea by the Yucatn Channel, which runs between the Yucatn Peninsula and Cuba. Issues: Hurricanes and tropical storms are the number one cause of rough waters in the Caribbean. It has been called the "Jacuzzi of Despair". Take your favorite seasickness remedies and look at it as part of the experience. The consensus among geologists[4][8][9] who have studied the geology of the Gulf of Mexico is that before the Late Triassic, the Gulf of Mexico did not exist. The Maldives. the Gulf Coast could see two landfalls within 24 hours of one another. Matt Gush / Getty Images. My experience is mostly in the Gulf and I noticed right away the difference when I worked offshore Brazil. Anchoring the Riviera Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula, which sticks out into the Caribbean Sea, Cancun is famous for its developed tourism industry, powder-soft white-sand beach, and turquoise sea. - Gulf of Mexico or eastern side of Caribbean? Rough Waters: The typhoon season in the northwest Pacific Ocean is mainly from July to November with a peak in late August/early September -- although storms can occur year-round. Carnival has 3 & 4 day sailings from Long Beach, CA and Royal Caribbean's 'Radiance of the Seas' offers a 5 night on 5/3/10 r.t. from San Diego. Photo Credit: www.bolivarpeninsulatexas.com. Since the seas are usually calm, this is also a great time to take kids out for their first trips out or to schedule deep sea fishing party boat charters. Some of our favorites include Jupiter, Singer Island, Palm Beach, and Delray . It is a classical enclave off the coast due to its scenic beach roads, resorts, and magnificent restaurants. Sailing from San Juan is typically smooth, as you are already in the Caribbean vs. departing from Florida where the waters can be rougher. The deepest point is in the Mexico Basin (Sigsbee Deep), which is 17,070 feet (5,203 metres) below sea level. Holland America has some very short (1 day!) On the shelf and on the slope that dips downward to the abyssal plain, buried salt domes occur at various depths; economically important deposits of oil and natural gas are associated with them. Phone +1 251-968-2040. The Gulf of Mexico (Spanish: Golfo de Mxico) is an ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, largely surrounded by the North American continent. There the currents are relatively weak, varying appreciably in intensity with season and location. In the Atlantic, a hurricane will draw up cool water from the depths and making it less likely that further hurricanes will follow in its wake (warm water being one of the preconditions necessary for their formation). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I find that the Atlantic norht of PR and the VI is always rough this time of year. Bottom-water temperatures of about 43 F (6 C) have been recorded near the northern part of the Yucatn Channel. This leak created a visible 2 by 13 miles (3.2 by 20.9km) oil slick in the sea about 97 miles (156km) south of Port Fourchon, Louisiana, according to the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. that very few people get seasick these days. Corrections? That southern is a great cruise, although it can be quite a busy one. That's the only time we've experienced heavier movement on the ships in normal, calm weather. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. What are the physical state of oxygen at room temperature? All of this encouraged two further expeditions, the first in 1518 under the command of Juan de Grijalva, and the second in 1519 under the command of Hernn Corts, which led to the Spanish exploration, military invasion, and ultimately settlement and colonization known as the Conquest of Mexico. Between the white sand, clear water and calm, shallow waters, it is ideal for families with young children. Impacted Itineraries: China, Japan, the Philippines and Korea. The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world at a width of 810 nautical miles (1,500 km). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. First, there was a Late Triassic-Early Jurassic phase of rifting during which rift valleys formed and filled with continental red beds. Sadly the seas can kick up anytime of the year. I was suggesting a 7 nighter from San Juan that would do some of the Saint islands and go as far as Barbados. [46] It was 8,776 square miles (22,730km2) in 2017, the largest ever recorded. Gulf waters are warm, shallow, and often calm. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The Southern U.S. states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, which border the Gulf on the north, are often referred to as the "Third Coast" of the United States (in addition to its Atlantic and Pacific coasts). During the winter there are fronts coming down from up north and during the summer always the threat of a hurricane. 2. The islands and the passes between them . New York: Liveright Publishing Corp. p. 416. Columbus is purported to have followed the coastal land mass of Central America before returning to the Atlantic Ocean via the Straits of Florida between Florida and Cuba. The site cannot sustain any kind of life other than bacteria, mussels with a symbiotic relationship, tube worms and certain kinds of shrimp. When you're not splashing in the gentle waves or strolling the sand here, head out to spot dolphins during a cruise with Sunshine Scenic Tours or rent a standup paddleboard from one of the many . 14 Miramar Beach. Because it is protected from larger ocean currents by the Florida and Yucatan peninsulas. A caribbean cruise with port stops each day would be your best bet (as suggested by someone else). When is the calmest water in the Gulf of Mexico? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The climate of the gulf region varies from tropical to subtropical. Both of these channels . The Gulf of Mexico (Tampa -Key West- Cozumel) is pretty calm from December to June. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. We cant generalise a complete ocean to be calm or not. Rough Waters: The majority of sailing on an Alaska cruise is done in the protected waters of the Inside Passage, but ships sailing to Seward, Whittier or Anchorage must cross the Gulf of Alaska, which is much rougher. In the open gulf the salinity is comparable to that of the North Atlantic, about 36 parts per thousand. The land that forms the gulf's coast, including many long, narrow barrier islands, is almost uniformly low-lying and is characterized by marshes and swamps as well as stretches of sandy beach. With very few exceptions, you can expect incredibly calm seas! and has a midship stateroom location, she should be fine. I think once she gets passed the first time she will be fine and won't want to stop. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. In my experience, the area from Stuart to Delray Beach is the best for crystal clear water. It was at this time that rifting first created a connection to the Pacific Ocean across central Mexico and later eastward to the Atlantic Ocean. [53] The resulting oil slick quickly expanded to cover hundreds of square miles of ocean surface, posing a serious threat to marine life and adjacent coastal wetlands and to the livelihoods of Gulf Coast shrimpers and fishermen. Cancun Blue Ocean Beach. 1003 AM EST Wed Mar 1 2023. While the Gulf of Mexico was a restricted basin, the subsiding transitional crust was blanketed by the widespread deposition of Louann Salt and associated anhydrite evaporites. 5 Which is the calmest place in the world? L.A. to Vancouver, or Vancouver to Seattle, or. :). Snapper, redfish, tuna, sailfish, and mahi-mahi are best caught during this season. [17], In 2014 Erik Cordes of Temple University and others discovered a brine pool 3,300 feet (1,000m) below the gulf's surface, with a circumference of 100 feet (30m) and 12 feet (3.7m) feet deep, which is four to five times saltier than the rest of the water. These have generally not been checked for potential environmental problems.[50]. I have heard that more people die in the bathtub than on cruise ships.;). It is 17,070 feet (5,203 meters) below sea level in the Mexico Basin. Yes! The Gulf may reach 92 degrees or more. That's the only time we've experienced heavier movement on the ships in normal, calm weather. Rough Waters: When one body of water runs into another, waves tend to be higher and rougher. Sharks can be caught with different types of baits including live and dead baits. City: Bolivar Peninsula & Crystal Beach. When does hurricane season occur in the Gulf of Mexico? Before the Late Triassic, the area now occupied by the Gulf of Mexico consisted of dry land, which included continental crust that now underlies Yucatn, within the middle of the large supercontinent of Pangea. I know not to pick hurricane season, but beyond that need any suggestions. It really is a matter of what experience you want as the two are very different in that regard. While investigating facts about Gulf Of Mexico Weather and Gulf Of Mexico Map, I found out little known, but curios details like: One Oil Spill Has Been Leaking Into The Gulf of Mexico For 14 YEARS and if it's not stopped (according government estimates) the leak could go on for 100 more years. jellybeana, your mom is about my mom's age and we treasure the memories from our seven night cruise. The first oil well was drilled in the Gulf in 1938. Impacted Itineraries: Eastern and Western Mediterranean, Western Europe, Baltic and Northern Europe. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. In May 2007, an expedition, led by Texas A&M University and funded by OGGC under an agreement with the Minerals Management Service (now BOEM), was launched to undertake the deepest scientific archaeological excavation ever attempted at that time to study the site on the seafloor and recover artifacts for eventual public display in the Louisiana State Museum. [27], The Gulf is considered aseismic; however, mild tremors have been recorded throughout history (usually 5.0 or less on the Richter magnitude scale). Video footage from the ROV was an integral part of this outreach and used extensively in the Mystery Mardi Gras Shipwreck documentary.[35]. Thanks for any help. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It is known for being the world's longest expanse of undeveloped barrier island and serves as a protective piece of land that safeguards nearly 66-miles of coastline, thriving tidal flats, prairies, and even dunes. In fact, beach lovers usually find that the beaches are enough of a reason to visit Mexico all by itself. This proportion, however, varies markedly during the year in coastal waters, particularly near the outflow of the broad delta region of the Mississippi River. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. In response to OPs question the Gulf will likely be calmer this time of year, BUT either can be smooth as glass or rough as can be. 75F is warmer than the waters get for most of the summer on Long Island. Drake Passage/Cape Horn, Chile: This is one place that even dyed-on-the-wool cruise fans . We did a two week eastern Caribbean cruise February a couple of years back and I don't recal the ship (Ventura) move at all :-). The US portion of the Gulf coastline spans 1,680 miles (2,700km), receiving water from 33 major rivers that drain 31 states. 3. The South China Sea and East Indies, eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, North Sea, and British Isles are the most dangerous seas in the world, with the greatest number of shipping accidents in the last 15 years, according to a report released by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). - Terekhov Igor. The Gulf of Mexico (Tampa -Key West- Cozumel) is pretty calm from December to June. Best For: Beachcombing, Peace & Quiet, Fishing, Swimming, Surfing. Air temperature typically controls land and sea breezes. LauraS If you've booked a transatlantic cruise (especially in the cooler months) or a transpacific cruise (including those to Hawaii), you may encounter some bumps. Re: Looking for warmest calmest waters on gulf coast for child. The coastal zone consists of tidal marshes, sandy beaches, mangrove-covered areas, and many bays, estuaries, and lagoons. A storm thousands of miles away can cause unsettled seas in any ocean. Which is calmer? In June 1979, the Ixtoc I oil platform in the Bay of Campeche suffered a blowout leading to a catastrophic explosion, which resulted in a massive oil spill that continued for nine months before the well was finally capped. During rough seas, the captain may order passengers to stay indoors for the safety of everyone on the ship and for passengers with mobility issues, staying seated is a good idea. But none are I'll-advised. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. The sonar contacts consisted of two large sections lying approximately 500 feet (150m) apart at either end of a debris field that indicated the presence of a U-boat. Earthquakes may be caused by interactions between sediment loading on the sea floor and adjustment by the crust.[28]. Pros: The period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is one of the absolute cheapest times to sail. Cuba and United States: Maritime boundary agreement between the United States of America and the Republic of Cuba, of December 16, 1977. The only sure thing would be a river cruise or perhaps the Staten Island ferry (great price for a short cruise). Litigation is ongoing. The volume of water in the basin is roughly 2.4106 cubic kilometers (5.8105 cubic miles). The Gulf of Mexico is bordered by 1,680 miles of US coastline. The water temperature off Miami averages 72 F (22 C) over winter. Only one safe place your bathtub. If so that would be your best choice for calm seas in Feb or March. [31] According to the September 11, 2006 issue of The Tampa Tribune, earthquake tremors were last felt in Florida in 1952, recorded in Quincy, 20 miles (32km) northwest of Tallahassee. The Gulf of Mexico (Spanish: Golfo de Mxico) is an ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean,[2] largely surrounded by the North American continent. largest on record, in 2017, was followed immediately by one of the smallesta . The contract gave him one year to gather an army, leave Spain, be large enough to found at least two towns of 100 people each, and garrison two more fortresses anywhere along the coast. Since this would extend Mexico's continental shelf well into territory claimed by the United States, however, Mexico and the U.S. would need to enter a bilateral agreement based on international law that delimits their respective claims. [42] In Congressional testimony, Dr. Jonathan Coddington, associate director of Research and Collections at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, provides a detailed overview of the Gulf collections and their sources which Museum staff have made available on an online map. Can't guarantee smooth seas anywhere, or any season. On September 10, 2006, the U.S. Geological Survey National Earthquake Information Center reported that a magnitude 6.0 earthquake occurred about 250 miles (400km) west-southwest of Anna Maria, Florida, around 10:56am EDT. The continental shelf forms an almost continuous terrace around the margin of the gulf; its width varies from a maximum of more than 200 miles (320 km) to a minimum of about 25 miles (40 km). Source: Cassiohabib / shutterstock. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This was ranked as the largest oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico until the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. The hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, during which time meteorologic and oceanographic conditions are conducive for hurricanes to develop anywhere in the gulf. [8][14][15], Later, loading of the crust within the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent coastal plain by the accumulation of kilometers of sediments during the rest of the Mesozoic and all of the Cenozoic further depressed the underlying crust to its current position about 1020km (6.212.4mi) below sea level. As a result, the expedition of Tristn de Luna y Arellano was sent and landed at Pensacola Bay on August 15, 1559. On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil platform, located in the Mississippi Canyon about 40 miles (64km) off the Louisiana coast, suffered a catastrophic explosion; it sank a day and a half later. Amante, C. and B.W. A Mediterranean cruise rarely experiences significant seas. See here for details. The Gulf of Mexico borders the southeastern coast of North America. [5] The Gulf of Mexico is one of the most important offshore petroleum production regions in the world, making up one-sixth of the United States' total production. On December 11, 1526, Charles V granted Pnfilo de Narvez a license to claim what is now the Gulf Coast of the United States, known as the Narvez expedition. When you're not at the beach, check out the live music scene in Crystal Beach and the historic Bolivar Point Lighthouse. Gulf of Mexico, Spanish Golfo de Mxico, partially landlocked body of water on the southeastern periphery of the North American continent. Its floor consists of sedimentary rocks and recent sediments. Most of the basin was rimmed during the Early Cretaceous by carbonate platforms, and its western flank was involved during the latest Cretaceous and early Paleogene periods in a compressive deformation episode, the Laramide Orogeny, which created the Sierra Madre Oriental of eastern Mexico. The water on the East Coast of Florida gets nicer as you travel south. Started August 27, 2021, By Rough Waters: Oceans are nearly always choppier than seas because they're less protected from sheltering land masses. [25] The Gulf's southwestern and southern shores lie along the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatn, and the northernmost tip of Quintana Roo. The quake was reportedly felt from Louisiana to Florida in the Southeastern United States. By May 1, 2010, the oil spill cleanup efforts were underway but hampered by rough seas and the "tea like" consistency of the oil. CC Help Jenn itinerary from San Juan that visits an island virtually every day, will ease her anxiety (knowing you will be in port the next morning may help "if" she feels discomfort despite using motion sickness preventitives);). The warm water then moves north, where it forces cooler water to sink and move south. The abyssal plain, which forms the floor of the gulf, consists of a large triangular area near the centre, bounded by abrupt fault scarps toward Florida and the Yucatn Peninsula and by more gentle slopes to the north and west. Trying to decide on a western itinerary that goes more into the gulf of Mexico or eastern that is more in the Caribbean/ Atlantic. Florida's gulf coast isn't the only place to find clear ocean waters. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. When air over land is war. Playa Balandra in La Paz. Dunbar. [21] On May 1, 1699, he completed a fort on the north-east side of the Bay of Biloxi, a little to the rear of what is now Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. The deepest point of the Gulf of Mexico is called Sigsbee Deep. evan peters jeffrey dahmer & Academic Background; department of public works massachusetts. Mexico is one of those well-rounded countries that offer a little bit of everything: food, culture, gorgeous landscapes, and some of the best hotels and resorts in the entire world. Perhaps a Southern Carib. During the summer months, the Gulf of Mexico will be five or more degrees warmer than the Atlantic Ocean. Our Alaska cruise was the roughest. Any suggestions? the Pacific Ocean Answer (1 of 4): Ocean waves are affected by many things, including currents, tides, and winds quite far away from where the waves are observed. He arrived in time to greet Garca de Escalante Alvarado (a nephew of Pedro de Alvarado), commander of the salvage operation, when Alvarado arrived by sea on July 22, 1554. PC-566 began dropping depth charges on a sonar contact, sinking U-166. Weather-wise, August is generally a calm month, and the waters in the Gulf lay down like glass. Other circulation features include the anticyclonic gyres which are shed by the Loop Current and travel westward where they eventually dissipate and a permanent cyclonic gyre in the Bay of Campeche. spurs new tactics", "Gulf Oil Spill Worst in U.S. History; Drilling Postponed", "Shell Oil Spill Dumps Nearly 90,000 Gallons of Crude into Gulf", "Shell's Brutus production platform spills oil into Gulf of Mexico", Resource Database for Gulf of Mexico Research, Bathymetry of the Northern Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean East of Florida, The Present State of the West-Indies: Containing an Accurate Description of What Parts Are Possessed by the Several Powers in Europe, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gulf_of_Mexico&oldid=1142446005, 3,750 to 4,384 metres (12,303 to 14,383ft), This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 12:12. There are frequent "red tide" algae blooms[44] that kill fish and marine mammals and cause respiratory problems in humans and some domestic animals when the blooms reach close to shore. To date, BP's cost for the clean-up, environmental and economic damages and penalties has reached $54bn. The remainder of the shelf consists of sand, silt, and clay sediments. In addition, tropical depressions, storms and hurricanes that crop up during hurricane season (June 1 to November 30) can also stir up the usually calm Caribbean waters and make for a rocky trip . The Gulf of Mexico is the largest gulf in the world, with 600,000 sq miles bordered by 1,680 miles of US coastlines. Impacted Itineraries: Australia and New Zealand cruises, world cruises. [20] In his letters, Vespucci described this trip, and once Juan de la Cosa returned to Spain, a famous world map, depicting Cuba as an island, was produced. . On December 13, 2007, Mexico submitted information to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) regarding the extension of Mexico's continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles. Another important commercial activity is fishing; major catches include red snapper, amberjack, tilefish, swordfish, and various grouper, as well as shrimp and crabs. However, avid cruisers have experienced rough seas in the spring and summer, so be prepared for anything. Situated in the southwestern part of the Gulf, the Sigsbee Deep (Mexico Basin) is the deepest region in the Gulf of Mexico that has an estimated depth of over 4,384m. By On May 27, 2010, The USGS had revised the estimate of the leak from 5,000 barrels per day (790m3/d) to 12,00019,000 barrels per day (3,000m3/d)[55] an increase from earlier estimates. On January 25, 1699, Iberville reached Santa Rosa Island in front of Pensacola founded by the Spanish; he sailed from there to Mobile Bay and explored Massacre Island, later renamed Dauphin Island. There were no reports of damage or injuries. Instead, the Spanish sailed into the Caribbean around Cuba and Hispaniola. Sea surface temperatures in February vary between 64 F (18 C) in the northern gulf and 76 F (24 C) off the Yucatn coast. The Gulf of Mexico is somewhat shallow, along the coastal continental shelf areas, and has an average depth of 1,615m. and 4 day cruises this spring, beginning at the end of April. https://www.britannica.com/place/Gulf-of-Mexico, Texas State Historical Association - Handbook of Texas - Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Mexico - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Gulf of Mexico - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Biden considers 1st offshore wind auction in Gulf of Mexico, one that struck Galveston, Texas, in 1900, another that devastated New Orleans and surrounding areas in 2005. Although the Spanish voyage of Christopher Columbus was credited with the discovery of the Americas by Europeans, the ships in his four voyages never reached the Gulf of Mexico. The entire basin is about 600,000 square miles (1.5 million sq km). Impacted Itineraries: One-way Alaska sailings. The best time to fish the Gulf of Mexico is between April and September in the coastal waters of Mexico, Texas, Cuba, Florida, and Louisiana. Most Gulf beaches are located along a string of sandy barrier islands created by wave-washed quartz sand. Calm, blue water visible at Galveston Beach, Texas in 2021. It's not unusual to see a trip costing 50% less than a comparable trip during the summer. The Atlantic is more likely to top out at 82 to 86 degrees, which makes for a refreshing dip in the summer. [36] The wreck's precise location was discovered during the C & C Marine survey that located the U-166. Families with kids will love the calm waters to swim and splash. . Shark Fishing: Shark fishing is best between May and September on the Gulf coast, when the waters are warmer.