Sarasota beaches offer more than just fun in the sun; they present beach lovers of all ages and personalities with the opportunity to form unforgettable summer memories. Consistently ranked as some of the country's best, Sarasota, Florida, beaches are a pristine playground composed of equal parts tranquil relaxation, beachcombing, family-friendly fun, breathtaking sunsets, and so much more.
In this guide to the best beaches in Sarasota, Florida, we break down our favorite coastal locations, highlighting the unique qualities that make each a special summer destination. Without further ado, it’s time to slather on your sunscreen, dust off your flip-flops, and join us on a tour of Sarasota’s stunning beaches.
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What Are the Best Beaches in Sarasota, Florida?
The best beaches in Sarasota County, Florida, are distributed across 40 miles of coastline and six barrier islands. Barrier islands are narrow sandbars that run parallel to the mainland and sit slightly above sea level. Many barrier islands in and around Sarasota are a product of the intercoastal waterway, which runs through the Gulf of Mexico and provides a navigable route boats can safely follow from Massachusetts to Brownsville, Texas.
Lido Beach
Location: Lido Key
Best for: Family-friendly fun
Unique features: Soft sand, playground, close to St. Armands Circle
Lido Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Sarasota, and many refer to it as “the official beach of Sarasota residents,” and for good reason. Lido Beach features over 3,000 feet of soft, white sand, rows of calm waves, and endless sunshine—everything you need to relax the day away.
Once you’ve had your fill of sunbathing, Lido Beach also presents several opportunities to satisfy your appetite for adventure. Lido Key Beach Park features a nature trail, a self-guided kayak trail, picnic areas, a fishing pier, and ample parking to make finding a spot and getting your day in paradise a breeze.
Lido Beach is also just five minutes from St. Armands Circle, the perfect place to dine on delicious seafood, treat yourself to an ice cream cone, or shop the day away at several curated boutiques.
Siesta Beach
Location: Siesta Key
Best for: Vacation
Unique features: White quartz sand, on-site concessions, volleyball courts
Revered for its eight miles of pristine white sand and laid-back atmosphere, Siesta Key is often named one of the best beach destinations in the United States. Siesta Beach is one of three public beaches in Siesta Key, alongside Turtle Beach and Crescent Beach.
While Turtle Beach is known for its beachcombing opportunities and Crescent for its snorkeling, Siesta Key Beach outshines the two as a quintessential vacation destination.
Siesta Beach features all the highlights of your childhood beach memories: clear water, dazzling white quartz sand, a playground, volleyball and tennis courts, concessions, and more. TripAdvisor named the beach the best beach in North America in 2015, and in 2016, the beach underwent a $20 million improvement project. This plan expanded Siesta Beach’s amenities, including 150 additional free parking spots, new playground sites, and a renovation of existing features.
Crescent Beach
Location: Siesta Key
Best for: Snorkeling
Unique features: Point of Rocks, wildlife habitat
Crescent Beach is a haven for snorkelers of all experience levels. Whether you’ve been doing it all your life or looking to adorn fins and a snorkel for the first time, Crescent Beach is where you need to be. The beach is near Point of Rocks, a series of limestone rock formations home to endless fish, crustaceans, sponges, algae, and various seashells. If you’re lucky, you might even see the occasional manatee.
Parking for Point of Rocks is available at Beach Access 20 on Point of Rocks Road. There are 20 first-come, first-serve parking spots available. Local guides recommend getting to the parking lot early to reserve your spot and experience the best water conditions. Visibility is best in the early morning, extending to 20 feet in the deeper zones.
Indian Beach
Location: Bay Shore Road
Best for: Kayaking and canoeing
Unique features: Kayak launch, beautiful sunsets, secluded
Compared to Siesta, Lido, or even Crescent Beach, Indian Beach is less popular and somewhat a hidden gem. While there is no designated parking area for Indian Beach, it makes up for this with breathtaking sunsets, kayak access, and small crowds. If you’re looking to take a romantic stroll with a loved one or simply soak up some solitude during your Sarasota Beach experience, Indian Beach can make it happen.
What Are the Best Beaches Near Sarasota, Florida?
The best beaches near Sarasota lay dispersed throughout several charming coastal cities and lively towns around southern Florida. Hotspots for beach-going and other summer activities near Sarasota include Venice, Bradenton Beach, and other areas along Florida’s Gulf coast.
Caspersen Beach
Location: Venice Beach
Distance from downtown Sarasota: 34-minute drive
Best for: Hunting for shark teeth
Unique features: Endless seashells and shark teeth, nature trail
Caspersen Beach is one of the best beaches in the country for beachcombing, shell collecting, and searching for prehistoric shark teeth. The exact teeth you’ll find will vary from the skinny, pointed teeth of the fast-swimming mako to the serrated triangles of the notorious great white. However, the most coveted find on the shores of Caspersen Beach is teeth from a megalodon, an ancient, extinct species of shark that could reach sizes of over 50 feet in length.
Aside from being the perfect place to spend an afternoon beachcombing, Caspersen Beach is also home to a 20-minute nature trail, diverse wildlife, and an array of beautiful habitats, including saltwater marshes, mangroves, and tidal flats.
Coquina Beach
Location: Anna Maria Island
Distance from downtown Sarasota: 26-minute drive
Best for: Shelling and sunsets
Unique features: Coquina Bay Walk, Bike trail
Coquina Beach covers 22 acres of Anna Maria Island in Bradenton Beach, Florida. The beach is famous for shelling, powdery white sand, sunsets, and outdoor recreation. In addition to the familiar amenities found at most of the best beaches in Sarasota, Coquina Beach offers visitors a bike trail and access to the Coquina Bay Walk, a series of walking trails that traverse the surrounding environment.
Amenities found at Coquina Beach include public grills, volleyball courts, picnic tables, showers, bike racks, and more.
Cortez Beach
Location: Bradenton Beach
Distance from downtown Sarasota: 28-minute drive
Best for: Relaxing
Unique features: Cortez Pier, undeveloped beach
If you’re seeking relaxation and serene quiet during your visit to Sarasota, start your search at Cortez Beach. A hidden gem in Bradenton Beach, Florida, Cortez Beach presents a laid-back atmosphere and offers beachgoers the opportunity to unwind under the sun. The beach is undeveloped and connected to the Cortez Pier, where nature lovers can walk out over the sea and search for marine life (sea turtles, dolphins, and manatees); others can try fishing.
Brohard Beach and Paw Park
Location: Venice
Distance from downtown Sarasota: 32-minute drive
Best for: Dogs
Unique features: Paw park, showers, picnic tables
If you bring your furry friend on vacation, then Brohard Beach and Paw Park is a must-stop. Brohard Beach is not only the only public beach in Sarasota where dogs can roam free in the water, but it's also a great beach experience for humans, complete with showers, picnic tables, ample parking, a fishing pier, and so much more.
Longboat Key Beach
Location: Longboat Key
Distance from downtown Sarasota: 24-minute drive
Best for: Gulf views and seafood
Unique features: Outstanding nearby restaurants
The 11 public beach access points in Longboat Key are collectively known as Longboat Key Beach. Here, you'll be able to avoid the usual beach-day crowds, relax looking out at some of the most beautiful gulf views in Sarasota, and grab a bite to eat at several nearby restaurants.
Sarasota Beaches FAQ
What are the best white sand beaches in Sarasota, Florida?
There are many white-sand beaches in Sarasota, Florida. The most famous is Siesta Beach. Other white-sand beaches in Sarasota include Casey Key, Lido Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach.
What are the best beaches in Sarasota, Florida, for shell collecting?
Caspersen Beach and Turtle Beach are two of the best beaches in Sarasota for shell collecting, especially if you’re looking for shark teeth.
What are the best public beaches in Sarasota, Florida?
Public beaches in Sarasota, Florida, include Lido Beach, Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, Blind Pass Beach, and Sarasota's oldest public beach, Nokomis Beach. Most public beaches in Sarasota include outdoor showers, picnic tables, restrooms, grills, and volleyball courts.
Where are the most beautiful beaches on Florida's Gulf Coast?
While Sarasota's beaches are gorgeous, Florida's Gulf Coast is also home to several other breathtaking sandy paradises. You can find beautiful beaches throughout Bradenton Beach, Venice, Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, and Homes Beach.
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