A serene wooden boardwalk lined with palm trees and rope railings leads through tall sea grass and sandy dunes, opening to a pristine stretch of white beach and calm turquoise waters of the Florida Keys under a bright blue sky.

Tag: Sarasota Coast

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North Jetty Beach

Sarasota Coast
North Jetty Beach sits at the south end of Casey Key in Nokomis (1000 S Casey Key Rd), where the rock jetty marks the Venice Inlet channel. People come for fishing the jetty, watching boats in the pass, and a Gulf beach with more current near the rocks than a flat swim park. Restrooms, picnic areas, and parking are on site; seasonal lifeguards cover the swim beach away from the jetty tip. Do not confuse Read more…
Beaches
Manatee Beach
Manatee Beach

Manatee Beach

Sarasota Coast
Manatee Beach is Anna Maria Island’s busiest county beach park at 4000 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach. It has a large parking area, restrooms, showers, playgrounds, volleyball, seasonal lifeguards, and a concession vibe that draws families all day. Wheelchair access is better here than at the street-end Holmes accesses. Arrive early on weekends — this is the island’s default “meet at the beach” lot. Read more…
Beaches
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Manasota Beach

Sarasota Coast
Manasota Beach in Englewood is a serene Gulf Coast gem with soft, white sands and calm, turquoise waters. Perfect for families, its gentle waves are ideal for swimming or paddleboarding, while kids enjoy building sandcastles. Couples can take romantic sunset strolls, with vibrant hues painting the sky. The beach’s quiet vibe and nearby nature trails attract nature lovers, who may spot dolphins or shorebirds. Amenities like restrooms, picnic areas, and parking ensure accessibility. The serene Read more…
Beaches
Lido Key Beach
Lido Key Beach

Lido Key Beach

Sarasota Coast
Lido Key Beach is Sarasota’s main public Gulf beach on Benjamin Franklin Drive, a short hop from St. Armands Circle. Expect restrooms, showers, seasonal lifeguards, and paid or timed public parking that fills on peak days. It is the convenient “park and swim” Lido stop before or after St. Armands; North Lido is quieter and less built-up to the north. Bring cash/card for parking and come early in season. Read more…
Beaches
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Indian Beach Park

Sarasota Coast
Indian Beach Park in Sarasota is a serene Gulf Coast gem with soft, white sands and calm, turquoise waters. Perfect for families, its gentle waves are ideal for swimming or paddleboarding, while kids enjoy building sandcastles. Couples can take romantic sunset strolls, with vibrant hues painting the sky. The beach’s quiet vibe and nearby dunes create a peaceful retreat, while nature lovers may spot dolphins or shorebirds. With amenities like restrooms, picnic areas, and parking, Read more…
Beaches
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Holmes Beach accesses

Sarasota Coast
Holmes Beach accesses are the public Gulf walkovers and street-ends along Gulf Drive through the City of Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island — not one single park gate. Parking is mostly street or small lots; some accesses have restrooms nearby, and seasonal lifeguards cover marked stretches. For a full facility beach day (playground, big lot), go to Manatee Beach at 4000 Gulf Dr. Use these when you want a shorter walk from a mid-island Read more…
Beaches
Cortez Beach
Cortez Beach

Cortez Beach

Sarasota Coast
Cortez Beach is the residential Gulf strip along Gulf Drive South between Bradenton Beach and Coquina, named for nearby historic Cortez Village. Access is simpler than the big county parks — restrooms and seasonal lifeguards, with free parking that is tighter than Coquina’s lot. Use it when you want a lower-key AMI swim without the playground complex. Cortez Village seafood spots are a short drive east of the island. Read more…
Beaches
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Coquina Beach

Sarasota Coast
Coquina Beach is the large Manatee County park at the south end of Anna Maria Island (2600 Gulf Dr S), with a big free lot, playgrounds, picnic shelters, restrooms, showers, and seasonal lifeguards. Leffis Key Preserve’s trails sit next door for a short nature walk. It is the island’s main “bring the family and stay” Gulf beach — busier than Cortez or Bean Point. Lots fill by late morning on peak weekends. Read more…
Beaches Most Secluded Beaches
Caspersen Beach
Caspersen Beach

Caspersen Beach

Sarasota Coast
Caspersen Beach is the long, natural Venice beach south of the Brohard / pier area (4100 Harbor Dr S), known for shark-tooth and fossil hunting in the shell hash. Parking, restrooms, and boardwalks serve a quieter stretch with dunes and less concession energy than Venice Beach proper. Families swim here, but many visitors come specifically to sift for teeth after storms. No dogs per county rules; bring a sifter if that is the goal. Read more…
Beaches
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Brohard Park

Sarasota Coast
Brohard Park is Venice’s well-known dog beach on Harbor Drive South (1600), with a designated off-leash dog area, restrooms, picnic spots, and free parking. The Venice Fishing Pier and Sharky’s sit close by for a post-beach stop. It is the pet stop on this coast — other Venice beaches are generally no-dogs. Swim and stroll on the Gulf side; keep dogs in the marked zone and follow posted rules. Read more…
Beaches