Siesta Key Beach
It's 99 percent pure-quartz sand, perhaps the finest and whitest you’ll ever see!

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Sarasota top 10 Beaches

Sarasota, Florida is home to some of the best beaches in the world! It should come as no surprise that spending time on Sarasota beaches is on the top of the list of things to do when visiting the area.

Siesta Key Beaches

The blue-ribbon winner in the area, Siesta Beach earned its bragging rights in from its 99% pure-quartz sand in 2011 when Dr. Beach ranked it No. 1 on his annual list of America’s Best Beaches! Siesta earned additional accolades in May of this year when National Geographic ranked the beach No. 6 on its list of Top U.S. Family Beaches. You’ll find more of this famous sand at Siesta Key's Crescent Beach, rated #10 on Travelocity’s 2011 Top 25 Beaches in the United States. Once you dig your toes into the powdery soft sand you’ll understand why folks come from all over the world to relax and play on these shores.

Caspersen Beach and Venice Beach

Families will want to include a trip to the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World”. On Caspersen and Venice beaches you can hunt for washed up sharks’ teeth of all types and sizes. Nokomis Beach on Casey Key is the area’s oldest public beach and is popular for fishing and surfing. Even if you do not surf it is fun to watch others catch a good wave.

Visit Lido Key’s beaches for scenic Gulf and Bay views plus they’re just a short walk from St. Armands Circle, or head north on Gulf of Mexico Drive to Longboat Key and Anna Maria Islands unspoiled beaches.

Longboat Key Beaches

Longboat Key's access to it's beaches is limited, but your reward is 10 miles of uninterrupted, uncrowded beach with wonderful Gulf of Mexico water and white sand. There is limited parking at beach access points located at ...read more

Turtle Beach

Sun, surf and tranquility. At the southernmost end of Siesta Key is Turtle Beach, which is less crowded than Crescent or Siesta Key Public Beach and features some of the tallest dunes in the area. Newly improved ...read more

Nokomis Beach

Nokomis Beach is the area’s oldest public beach and is quite popular with families and fishing enthusiasts. Nokomis Beach also offers some of the best surfing on Florida's Gulf Coast! Though not as prevalent as on ...read more

Brohard Beach, Paw Park and Venice Fishing Pier

Brohard Beach and Paw Park is the area’s only beach where dogs can be off-leash. Brohard Beach includes a wetland area ideal for fishing and bird watching. Visitors agree Paw Park is the best dog friendly park in ...read more

Venice Municipal Beach

Venice Beach is a favorite beach spot for locals as well as divers who come for its coral reef which is ¼ mile offshore. Like many of the Venice area beaches, you have a good chance of finding shark’s teeth washed up ...read more

South Lido Park Beach

Sandy coastline and crystal clear water in a park setting – what could be better? Located at the southwestern tip of Lido Key, the 100-acre South Lido Park is surrounded by water – Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass, Sarasota ...read more

Coquina Beach

Coquina Beach is the longest stretch of beach on the southern end of Anna Maria Island on the Gulf of Mexico. Coquina is a fantastic spot to spend the day with family and friends with its relaxing atmosphere, calm waters and ...read more

Caspersen Beach

If you’re looking for a beach with a little “bite,” head south of Casey Key to Venice and Caspersen Beach. Venice, Florida has been called the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World” because prehistoric ...read more

Siesta Beach

It’s 99 percent pure-quartz sand - perhaps the finest and whitest you’ll ever see – earned Siesta Key's, Siesta Beach a No. 1 rating on Dr. ...read more

Lido Beach

Not far from the upscale shops and fine dining at St. Armands Circle is Sarasota, Florida's Lido Beach. This family-friendly beach features a wide span of white sand. You'll also find ample parking, year-round lifeguards, ...read more

Loggerhead Turtles

People aren’t the only ones flocking to these shores. Did you know that Florida beaches are home to 80% of Loggerhead turtles in the U.S? In fact, beginning in May and continuing through October, there are an estimated 50,000 sea turtles in Florida making it the most important nesting area in the United States! You can help the new hatchlings make their way to the water by keeping outside lights off, removing chairs, umbrellas and leveling sand castles and any holes dug before you leave the beach. If you encounter a sea turtle nest on the beach please don’t disturb the area. Read our Sea Turtles of the Paradise Coast blog article here.

The warm Gulf breeze, sand between your toes and the sun on your face….ahh, this is Southwest Florida beaches at their best! Slather on the sunscreen, grab your towel and some beach games then head out to find out what all the fuss is about.