Sarasota Beaches
Your Gateway to the Gulf of Mexico
Sarasota’s beaches are renowned the world over for their crystal white sand, collectable shells, fossilized sharks’ teeth, and breathtaking sunsets. With 14 different beaches to choose from along 35 miles of shoreline, you’re sure to find one (and probably more!) that suits your mood. We’re delighted to provide you with this overview to help you plan your excursion. For your convenience, the list is ordered from the northernmost beach (North Lido) to the southernmost beach (Blind Pass) at the tip of Manasota Key on Lemon Bay.
* Denotes Lifeguards on Duty
Blind Pass Park
Blind Pass Beach has no lifeguards, but there is ample free parking with picnic tables, showers and restrooms, and a concession cart. A nature trail with dunes and wildflowers make this a popular beach destination. Located one mile north of the Charlotte County line at 6725 Manasota Key Road, on Manasota Key.Brohard Paw Park
Brohard Beach is a quiet beach with plenty of free parking and is located at the southern end of the City of Venice. Flying enthusiasts will enjoy this beach which is across from the Venice Airport. Located in Venice, near the 740 foot Venice Fishing Pier. Amenities include concessions, restrooms, picnic tables, and showers. There is also a 300 foot section of the beach designated as a dog beach, which includes fountains and showers for dogs.Caspersen Beach Park
Two thirds of this beachfront is in its ‘natural state’, offering a very secluded location. Caspersen Beach is known as a great place for collecting shells and is famous for pre-historic sharks’ teeth. Amenities include restrooms, 1,100 foot boardwalk, picnic area, and nature trail through freshwater and saltwater marshes, mangroves and tidal flats. Located at the south of Venice Airport on Harbor Drive in Venice.North Lido Beach
A great beach for a stroll or a quiet day enjoying the beauty and warmth of the Gulf of Mexico. The beach is dynamic and looks a little different every time you visit due to the nearby currents in New Pass just to its north, which at low tide makes this a great place to find perfectly intact sand dollars. The beach to the farthest north is in its completely natural state with nature trails from the water, over rolling dunes and through a nearby pine forest. To access this secluded beach, go south on US 41 to John & Mable Ringling Causeway. Turn right (west), go over drawbridge, to St. Armand’s Circle. Turn right at the second street. Go 2 blocks to Lido beach. Park in the small lot or on the street (both are free). North Lido Beach is just to the north, accessible only from the beach.
Lido Beach*
Lido Beach has plenty of free parking, concessions, picnic tables, a playground, showers and restrooms . A fenced in community pool is also available for a small fee. Located at 400 Ben Franklin Drive, a half-mile southwest of St. Armand’s Circle.South Lido Park
Jutting into Big Pass, this wooded shoreline park is complete with a volleyball court, grills, and plenty of shade. South Lido Beach is a popular spot for fishing in the Pass, picnicking, or pulling up your pleasure boat and dropping anchor. Nature trails (2 walking trails and 1 self-guided canoe trail) are also nearby in this 100 acre park, which includes beautiful Brushy Bayou with its incredible bird watching and kayaking. Amenities include free parking, picnic tables, a playground, showers and restrooms. South Lido Beach is located at the south end of Ben Franklin Drive, at the southern tip of Lido Key.Manasota Beach*
Manasota Beach has free parking, picnic tables, showers and restrooms. This beach is a cozy nook on the northern end of the island with a small parking lot. On the Intracoastal side of the island, across from the beach, is a 620 foot dock and boardwalk winding through the mangroves. Located at the north end of Manasota Key, at the west end of Manasota Beach Road.Nokomis Beach*
The Nokomis Beach park includes 22 acres with 1,700 feet on the Gulf and 3,200 feet on the Intracoastal. There’s an on-site snack bar that serves sandwiches, snacks and cold drinks. This old-Florida feeling beach destination is a hidden gem and one favored by families with young children. Amenities include restrooms, concession pavilion, picnic shelters, boat ramp, boardwalk and deck, and dune walkovers. Located on Casey Key directly west of the Albee Road Bridge.North Jetty Park*
North Jetty Park is located on the southern tip of Casey Key. The jetties (protective structures of stone and concrete that extend from shore into the water that prevent beach erosion) make this beach one of the best places on the west coast of Florida for surfing. It’s a popular picnic and fishing destination. Amenities include restrooms, picnic shelters, horseshoe courts, volleyball courts, and concessions. Located at the south end of Casey Key, at the Venice Inlet.Palmer Point Beach
Palmer Point Beach begins at the southern tip of Siesta Key and continues onto the north end of Casey Key. The beach allows uninterrupted walking all the way down Casey Key. There are no lifeguards and no facilities. Located on Casey Key; walk south for half a mile from Turtle Beach on Siesta Key.
Service Club Beach
Features sand volleyball courts, picnic tables, grills, bike rack, playground, restrooms, parking and a boardwalk to the beach. Located at adjoining Brohard Beach at the north end on Harbour Drive in Venice.
Siesta Key Public Beach*
Siesta Key Public Beach is the most popular beach in Sarasota County. It has been recognized as one of “America’s Best Beaches”; “Third Best Walking Beach in the USA,” by USA Today International Edition; and “The Best of the Best Sand,” by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. Tennis, volleyball, softball and food concession facilities are available. Picnic pavilions may be rented for a nominal fee. For information on renting picnic shelters and gazebos call (941) 316-1172. Located at the south end of Beach Road, on Siesta Key.Turtle Beach
Free parking, picnic tables, playground, showers and restrooms are available. Interestingly, the sand here is a little coarser, which makes it ideal for shelling. The beach is here is quiet compared to other of Siesta’s destinations. Boaters can launch their boats at the lagoon and park their trailers while they enjoy a day on the water. Located at the south end of Siesta Key.Venice Municipal Beach*
Venice Beach is one of five beaches in the nation to receive the 2008 Best Restored Beaches Award presented by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association. Scuba divers love the reef containing fossilized materials just ¼ mile off the beach. For those who choose just to meander along the shore, bring your strainer and find handfuls of fossilized shark’s teeth here. Amenities include parking, food concession, shelter, two sand volleyball courts, picnic area and boardwalks. Located at the west end of Venice Avenue, in Venice.
