The Official Visitors Guide of Sarasota County® - 2025

Longboat Key

This is the northernmost and longest island along Sarasota’s coast, boasting 12 miles of pristine shoreline. During the summer season, Longboat Key is a popular beach for turtles to nest and lay their eggs. Enjoy relaxing views of the Gulf of Mexico, smaller crowds and a laid-back vibe at this relaxing destination. For easier parking, head to Bayfront Park Recreation Center or nearby Whitney Beach.

Lido Key

The key received its name when John Ringling, a fan of Italian culture, referred to its three white-sand beaches by using the Italian word “lido,” which means “beach.” North Lido offers fewer crowds, hiking trails and an unspoiled shoreline while the main Lido Beach—replete with lifeguards on duty, parking and a public pavilion with a cafe and bathrooms, is great to post up for the whole day. For those looking to paddle the mangrove tunnels or grill out on the barbecues, South Lido Beach Park delights.

Siesta Key

The eight-mile island is accessible by two bridges from the mainland and composed of three beaches. Families and sunbathers alike will hit up Siesta Beach—widely regarded as one of the best beaches in the world and annually ranked in TripAdvisor’s Top Beaches in the U.S.—complete with a public pavilion, plenty of parking, volleyball nets and colorful lifeguard stands. Further south, Crescent Beach and Turtle Beach reveal their own charming personality, recreational options and Gulf Coast beauty.

Casey Key

Nokomis Beach is Sarasota County’s oldest public beach and is a popular spot for shell combing, boogie boarding and surfing. The south end of Casey Key, North Jetty Beach, is designed with visitors in mind and is great for spotting dolphins, manatees and pelicans cruising through the inlet. Picnic areas, concession stands, fishing opportunities and on-duty lifeguards attract families to this 18-acre park year-round.

Venice

With a bustling fishing pier, public pavilion, expansive parking lot and a relaxed island lifestyle, Venice Beach remains a popular spot to settle in for the entire day. Caspersen Beach is one of the longest stretches of beach still in its natural state and is world-renowned for unearthing shark teeth on and off shore. Further south is Sarasota County’s only dog-friendly beach, Brohard Paw Park, where leashes aren’t necessary and pups run free.

Manasota Key

Sarasota’s most southern key offers four beaches—Manasota, Blind Pass Beach, Englewood Beach and Stump Pass Beach State Park—and attracts nature lovers and beachgoers alike. From sand dunes and mangroves to driftwood forests and picnic tables, Manasota Key is great for those looking to escape the crowds, explore tucked-away sections of shoreline and admire Florida flora and fauna.

What's NEW?

Coral Reef Kingdoms 

Dive down below the waves to explore Sarasota’s new artifi cial reef balls—now a vibrant marine life habitat to spot a variety of fi sh, oyster regeneration and more.