Sarasota beaches offer the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation! What makes exploring the best beaches in Sarasota so fun is that each little jewel of the coast has its own personality. We’re talking about warm white sand, turquoise waters, hatching sanctuaries for turtles, inviting pavilions, volleyball courts, and quick access to restaurants and shops.
Offering miles of coastline dotted with six barrier islands, Sarasota invites you to enjoy year-round sunshine and warm weather in a place where every day is an opportunity for recreation!
A tour we think you'll love
Are you planning a vacation to the Sarasota area? You don’t want to miss the opportunity to explore local beaches that are perfect for families or couples. Explore what’s waiting for you at Sarasota County’s beaches!
1) See Sarasota And Anna Maria Island
Offering views of the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota and Anna Maria Island are coastal treasures that satisfy all of your desires for amazing swimming, snorkeling, and boat tours. In fact, one of the best ways to explore Sarasota beaches is by hopping on an unforgettable boat tour with Sarasota Coastal Boat Tours. Let our experienced local captains whisk you away on one of these popular itineraries:
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Sunset Boat Tour – 2 hours
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Tiki Bar/Restaurant Crawl – Half-day, 4 hours
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Beach & Sandbar Boat Tour – Half-day, 4 hours
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Boat Tour (you set the itinerary) – Full day, 6 hours
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Egmont Key State Park Beach & Sandbar Boat – Half-day, 4 hours
Our guests enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences that include watching wild dolphins play from a close distance, shelling on a secluded beach, swimming by the boat, docking to explore local eateries and shops, or watching the sun setting over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Experience the thrill of an unforgettable boat tour around Sarasota. Reserve your spot now and prepare for an incredible adventure!
2) Skip The Crowds At Lido Key Beach
Sarasota visitors enjoy the laid-back vibe at Lido Key that lets them enjoy nature away from the crowds. Plan to unwind at a white-sand beach with a calm atmosphere when you put your beach blanket down at Lido Key Beach.
While calm, Lido Key Beach is also a top spot for water sports and recreation. In addition to offering a gorgeous nature trail, the beach also has a canoe and kayak launch. Explore the enchanting mangroves at your own pace as you paddle through their exotic beauty.
Extend your visit to the area by adding a stop at South Lido Beach to the itinerary. Located at the southernmost tip of Lido Key, it provides a picturesque beachfront perfect for indulging in the art of shore fishing.
3) Enjoy The Rare Sand At Siesta Key
In addition to being one of the most gorgeous beaches in the Sarasota area, Siesta Beach in Siesta Key is also a rarity among beaches because its sand is made up almost entirely of quartz. This is why you’ll notice that the sand at Siesta Key is nearly perfectly white. The sand at other beaches near Sarasota is almost exclusively composed of pulverized coral.
Some fun things to do near Siesta Key include:
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Play volleyball
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Ride the Siesta Key Breeze Trolley
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See a Gulf Coast sunset at Sunset Point
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Shop and dine at Siesta Key Village
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Go wakeboarding
4) Explore The Lagoon At Blind Pass Beach
Blind Pass Beach is not like other beaches. It’s a hidden treasure for nature lovers that offers a unique experience for nature enthusiasts. Walk along the shore and find many seashells that have washed ashore. It’s a treasure hunt like no other, where each shell has its own story.
If you want an active experience, try kayaking. Get a kayak and paddle through the lagoon’s calm waters. Enjoy the tranquility as you move past the mangroves, experiencing this untouched paradise.
5) Connect With Nature At Turtle Beach
With its history as a nesting habitat for sea turtles, Turtle Beach has an ethereal feel. The grittier sand here hosts some of the tallest dunes around Sarasota.
The beach also has a collection of walkways and pavilions for those looking for peaceful strolls and quiet beach picnics.
Of course, the campground here is famous for allowing guests to enjoy epic sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico before settling in for the night.
6) Play At Venice Beach
While Venice Beach is technically within the city limits of Venice, it is loosely considered a Sarasota Beach because it is maintained by Sarasota County. This is a lively and popular beach with free parking, a concession area, and year-round lifeguards.
Many beach visitors spend their time collecting shiny seashells or wading in the warm waters here. Divers are drawn to Venice Beach by the robust reef located just over 1,000 feet from shore.
7) Take In The History At Nokomis Beach
As the oldest public beach in Sarasota County, Nokomis offers the history and natural beauty you crave from a day out in Sarasota. The Nokomis Beach Plaza which was built during the 1950s is considered one of Florida’s architectural gems. This beach also includes a boardwalk, fishing pier, picnic shelters, boat ramp, and kayak launch.
8) Take The Long View At Longboat Key Beach
Longboat Key is a beautiful coastal barrier island surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. The perk of heading to this community beach with 12 public access points is that it’s not a tourist hot zone. Head here for a laid-back, crowd-free day that ends with a stunning view of the sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico.
9) Soak In The Magic Of Manasota Beach
The first beach on Manasota Key, Manasota Beach offers 14 acres of beautiful landscapes to explore before dipping your toes somewhere along the 1,400 feet of beachfront land. While the scenery here is unforgettable, Manasota is best known for being an incredible place for finding shells and shark teeth.
Bonus Adventure: While exploring Manasota, make your way to Stump Pass Beach State Park. Covering parts of the peninsula and two small islands, this park is one of the best spots to catch glimpses of dolphins and manatees!
10) Shell All Day At Caspersen Beach
It takes about 20 minutes to cover Caspersen Beach’s beautiful nature trail. The biodiversity here creates a wonderland full of:
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Freshwater marshes
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Saltwater marshes
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Tidal flats
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Mangroves
Like a handful of other beaches near Sarasota, Caspersen is also famous for its amazing shelling opportunities!
11) Savor The Peace And Quiet Of Casey Key
Nature lovers who value seclusion adore Casey Key because this narrow island with beaches offers access to white sand and calm waters. One of the best activities here is a peaceful drive down Casey Key Road to admire the classic coastal Florida mansions!
Experience What’s Waiting For You At The Best Beaches In Sarasota
There’s no doubt that Sarasota is a classic American paradise! Year-round lifeguards, picnic tables, piers, boat launches, bountiful shells, and other features offer a million reasons to visit Sarasota.
However, there’s just one experience that can only be enjoyed from the other side of the coast. We’re talking about a private boat tour with us at Sarasota Coastal Boat Tours.
As we are the premier provider of boat trips in Sarasota, let us pamper you with an incredible daytime or sunset cruise experience! Book your spot today!
