• MustDo.com | Aerial view of Siesta Key beach in Sarasota, Florida. Photo by Elizabeth Barnett.
  • Beach path to white sand beach at Nokomis Beach near Venice, Florida
  • MustDo.com | Must Do Visitor Guides best family beaches to visit while on vacation in Sarasota, Florida.
  • Venice Beach Venice, Florida
  • Sunset walk on the beach in Sarasota, Florida. Must Do Visitor Guides | MustDo.com

Best Beaches in the Sarasota Area

Sarasota • Siesta Key • Longboat Key • Lido Key • Venice

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.

Vacationers will want to slather on the sunscreen, grab a towel and some beach games or a good book, and then head out to find out what all the fuss is about.

We’ve provided a list of the best beaches in the Sarasota, Florida area.

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Best Beaches in the Sarasota Area

Located at the southwestern tip of Lido Key in Sarasota, Florida the 100-acre South Lido Park (A.K.A Ted Sperling Park) is surrounded by water; the Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass, Sarasota Bay, and Bushy Bayou. It is a favorite with families, boaters, kayakers, personal watercraft enthusiasts, and avid fishermen. Must Do Visitor Guides, MustDo.com.

South Lido Park Beach in Lido Key

What could be better than sandy coastline and crystal clear water in a park setting? Located at the southwestern tip of Lido Key in Sarasota, Florida the 100-acre South Lido Park (A.K.A Ted Sperling Park)  is surrounded by water; the Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass, Sarasota Bay, and Bushy Bayou. It is a favorite with families, boaters, kayakers, personal watercraft enthusiasts, and avid... Read More
Caspersen Beach Venice, Florida USA. Photo by Nita Ettinger Must Do Visitor Guides, MustDo.com

Caspersen Beach

Caspersen Beach stretches over 1½ miles and you can actually reach Manasota Key four miles away if you keep walking south. You’ll see shore birds, a great selection of sea shells, and if you’re really lucky you may spot the nests of sea turtles. Florida Sunshine Survival Tips. Search for Fossilized Sharks Teeth on Caspersen Beach! Prehistoric sharks’ teeth of all types and sizes can... Read More
Turtle Beach Siesta Key Sarasota, Florida USA. Photo by Nita Ettinger, Must Do Visitor Guides

Turtle Beach in Sarasota

Located at the southernmost end of Siesta Key is Turtle Beach, which is much less crowded than Crescent Beach and Siesta Beach and features some of the tallest dunes in the area. Kayakers will enjoy exploring the nearby lagoon and natural wetlands. Turtle Beach has a boat launch area and fishing is permitted in the adjacent Blind Pass Lagoon. Florida Sunshine Survival... Read More
Lido Beach is very relaxing and relatively uncrowded compared to the better-known beaches on nearby Siesta Key. The white sands and gently turning waves on this Sarasota beach make it very popular for families. It also features more than one mile of beachfront extending through North Lido which makes this beach a great place for a beach stroll. Must Do Visitor Guides, MustDo.com. Photo by Nita Ettinger.

Lido Beach Park in Sarasota

Family-Friendly White Sand Beach One of the reasons why Sarasota, Florida is such a popular resort destination is that just half a mile from the upscale shopping center of St. Armands Circle is beautiful Lido Beach. Located on Lido Key, this popular beach is very relaxing and relatively uncrowded compared to the better-known beaches on nearby Siesta Key. The white... Read More
Must Do Visitor Guides, Coquina Beach and Gulfside Park Sarsota, Florida. Photo by Nita Ettinger, MustDo.com.

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 it's relaxing atmosphere, calm waters and plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the day. The flat beach is lined with sand dunes where... Read More
Nokomis Beach is Sarasota Counties oldest public beach and is well-liked by families and fishing enthusiasts. Though not as prevalent as on Caspersen Beach, there are shark’s teeth that can be found washed up on this Casey Key, Florida beach. Photo by Nita Ettinger. Must Do Visitor Guides, MustDo.com.

Nokomis Beach & Drum Circle

Nokomis Beach Offers Some of the Best Surfing on Florida's Gulf Coast! Nokomis Beach is Sarasota Counties oldest public beach and is well-liked by families and fishing enthusiasts. Though not as prevalent as on Caspersen Beach, there are shark’s teeth that can be found washed up on this Casey Key, Florida beach. Nokomis Beach Drum Circle The local drum circle gathers informally near the lifeguard tower... Read More
Brohard Beach in Venice, Florida is Sarasota County's Only Public Beach Where Dogs are Allowed. Photo by Justin Fennell. Must Do Visitor Guides, MustDo.com.

Brohard Beach Paw Park and Venice Fishing Pier

Sarasota County's Only Public Beach Where Dogs are Allowed Brohard Beach amenities include doggie fountains, dog showers, boardwalk to the beach, separate fenced areas for small and large dogs, leash posts, waste disposal bags and trash cans, covered picnic tables, benches, and restrooms, make this the perfect spot to take your furry family member. Venice's Brohard Beach also includes a wetland area ideal... Read More
Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota, Florida, USA. Photo by Debi Pittman Wilkey

Siesta Beach & Activities

Siesta Beach on Siesta Key is a favorite among Sarasota, Florida visitors and residents alike. It’s 99 percent pure quartz sand—perhaps the finest and whitest you’ll ever see. View Siesta Beach live beach cam. Besides sunbathing and swimming, Sarasota's Siesta Beach is a great place to fly a kite or play beach volleyball. Folks travel from across the globe (or across town)... Read More
Longboat Key's access to its beaches is limited, but your reward is 10 miles of uninterrupted, uncrowded beach with wonderful Gulf of Mexico water and white sand. Must Do Visitor Guides, MustDo.com

Longboat Key Beaches

Longboat Key's access to its 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 various points along Gulf of Mexico Drive—watch for the blue signs. Most of Longboat Key, Florida beaches do NOT offer amenities such as restrooms (a few have portable... Read More
Venice Beach Venice, Florida. Photo by Jennifer Brinkman. Must Do Visitor Guides, MustDo.com.

Venice Municipal Beach in Sarasota County

Venice Beach is a favorite beach spot for locals as well as divers who come for its coral reef which is located a quarter-mile offshore. Like many of the Venice area beaches, you have a good chance of finding shark’s teeth washed up on the sand and seeing dolphins play just beyond the swim area. Venice Beach Amenities The beach features a boardwalk, concessions, picnic area,... Read More