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Sarasota County has some of the best beaches in all of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. So whether you’re looking for a more chilled-out white sand beach to do some sunbathing or a great place to try your sea kayaking skills, there’s no shortage of amazing beaches on the gulf coast.
Without further ado, here are some of Sarasota’s best areas to stay.
Lido Beach
Lovely Lido Key is home to Lido Beach, a beautiful spot with powdery sand, spectacular sea views, and plenty of fun water sports for the whole family. It’s also very close to the heart of Sarasota, so if you’re staying in a short or long-term vacation rental in the city, there’s no reason why you can’t make a day trip to this famous beach.
Check out their sunset cruises, or take a boat out on the water for some deep-sea fishing. If you like marine life, Lido Beach is the place to be. There’s a good chance that you could spot a dolphin or two right off the coast.
If you want to take a little break from the shore, there’s plenty of world-class shopping at St. Armands Circle.
Turtle Beach
This public beach is one of the most popular places to go in Sarasota. As the name suggests, it’s a beautiful place to spot sea turtles as well. With 2,600 feet of pristine beach, Turtle Beach is an idyllic location to camp out for the afternoon and really get some of that Vitamin Sea.
There’s plenty to do other than sunbathing too. Turtle Beach has a picnic area, grills, playground, and campground, and it’s an excellent place to do a little bird watching. There are also volleyball courts, restrooms, and pavilions right on-site.
If you’re looking for an excellent spot to relax, spot some wildlife, and play a friendly game of volleyball, Turtle Beach is the place.
Casey Key
Casey Key is close to the more popular Siesta Key, between Venice and Sarasota. It’s more pristine than some of the other beaches in the area, making it very appealing to nature lovers. Casey Key is also a residential beach with plenty of rentals and beach homes.
If you’re looking for an excellent spot to take your family where you just might rub elbows with celebrities like Stephen King, check out beautiful Casey Key.
Brohard and Paw Park Beach
Brohard and Paw Park Beach has the unique distinction of being a totally dog-friendly stretch of sand. If you want to bring your four-legged friend out for a day in the sun, this is the spot. There are plenty of amenities for both humans and dogs alike, including picnic areas, showers, and restrooms.
There’s also a parking lot and a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk, as well as a dedicated place for pups to play on the sand and in the water. There’s also a small “time-out” area for naughty dogs. So if you have a dog or just like to be around canine company, check out Brohard and Paw Park Beach.
Crescent Beach
Crescent Beach’s claim to fame is its pure quartz sand. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in the Sarasota area and a great place to enjoy crystal clear waters and yards of powdery white sand. Although it doesn’t have as many amenities as some of the other beaches on our list, many people find Crescent Beach to be the ideal place to kick back and relax.
Longboat Key
This beautiful key is right between Sarasota and Manatee counties, near Sarasota Bay, and is one of the posher beaches in Sarasota. Although short and long-term vacation rental prices tend to be a little higher on Longboat Key, visitors are rewarded with stunning sea views and miles of lovely sand.
While relaxing on the beach is definitely one of the top things to do on Longboat Key, you can also check out Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary, and Lake Manatee State Park. There’s also plenty of fantastic dining options and excursions available on Longboat Key.
Venice Beach
Venice Beach, near Sarasota, is one of the most popular vacation spots on the Gulf Coast. There are several things that set Venice Beach apart, like the famous Venice Beach Pier and its creative beach pavilions. In addition, Venice Beach is an incredible place to check out wildlife or just sit and soak in the sunset.
If you’re lucky, you might spot dolphins, big fish, or even sea turtles right off the shore. Sea turtles usually make Venice Beach their home in the late spring and summer months.
It’s also a relatively large beach, stretching for a total of 14 miles down the coast. The waters of Venice Beach are relatively calm, making it an excellent spot for beginner swimmers and families. There are also lifeguards on duty.
Nokomis Beach
Nokomis Beach is one of the more popular Florida beaches, thanks to the fact that you can catch great views of both the sunset and sunrise on it. It’s also the oldest public beach in Sarasota. Nokomis Beach is relatively large, and it is known casually as the shark tooth capital of the world because of all of the fossils that wash up on its shores.
In addition to hunting for shark teeth, you can check out some of their hiking or biking trails or the Nokomis Arts Market. There’s also plenty of cute cafes, ice cream stands, and bars right near the water.
Coquina Beach
Beautiful Coquina Beach is one of the most picturesque and lovely beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The sand is pristine, clean, and very soft, so it’s an excellent spot to take your family. Coquina Beach also has more extended hours than many of the other beaches in the area. It’s open from sunrise until midnight.
There’s free parking on-site and plenty of amenities, like changing cabanas, light concessions, grills, picnic tables, lifeguards, and showers. It’s also a highly accessible beach, with beach wheelchairs available on a first-come-first-served basis. No pets, drones, or campfires are allowed, and it’s strictly forbidden to disturb any wildlife that you might come across.
Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is popular for its long, wide, family-friendly beaches. It’s one of the more developed areas on our list, and in addition to its fine beaches, you’ll also find plenty of on-site amenities and eateries. There’s even a small Historical Society Museum that you can visit.
Stroll along Anna Maria Island’s historic wooden pier, or simply camp out on the powdery white sand. With crystal-clear, warm, tranquil waters, Anna Maria Island is easily one of the best places to go swimming on the Gulf Coast.
Get there early, and you’ll be able to see the sun coming up over Tampa Bay. In the evening, the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico.
Siesta Key
Siesta Key is a laid-back, artistic area of the Gulf Coast famous for its drum circle, tidal pools, coral reefs, and wildlife spotting. The waters surrounding Siesta Key tend to be on the shallower side, and there’s a very good chance that you will come across some marine life while you’re there.
If you want to actually get out on the ocean, there are boat ramps on the southern side of the key. Siesta Key Public Beach is one of the top beaches in the state. With eight miles of powdery white sand, excellent shopping and great dining options, this beach offers something for everyone in your family.
Manasota Key
Manasota Key is a little further away from Sarasota than many of the beaches on our list, but it’s well worth the drive. Situated just south of the city, Manasota Key is a largely untouched island on the Gulf Coast full of marine life, long stretches of beach, and calm, warm waters.
Since it’s not as popular as some of the other beaches in the area, you might even have a big part of the beach all to yourself. If you and your family are looking for the ideal place to relax away from crowds, Manasota Key could just be the ticket.
While on the key, make sure that you visit some of the smaller beaches in the area. Manasota Beach itself is fabulous, but you should also see Stump Pass Beach, Blind Pass Beach, and Englewood Beach. All of these options are secluded, eco-diverse, and offer stunning views of the gulf.
Caspersen Beach
If you want to dig up some impressive shells, head to Caspersen Beach. Like Nokomis Beach, Caspersen Beach is a great place to find ancient sharks’ teeth, as well as sea glass, shells, and other treasures from the ocean. There are also plenty of nature trails to explore, saltwater marshes, and mangrove trees.
Caspersen Beach is the perfect place to check out wildlife and migrating birds. The water tends to be fairly calm, so you can take your canoe or kayak out for the spin in the waves.
Wrapping Up
If you and your family are craving a little bit of Vitamin Sea, there are plenty of long and short-term vacation rentals in and around beautiful Sarasota. If you’re interested in any of the ones just listed or any other, be sure to book them in advance.
