Sarasota is so bursting with beaches that you could spend your entire vacation exploring them and never get bored. Year-round sunshine and unspoiled surroundings mean you’ll always have a great experience. Come holiday in our tranquil crystal waters and quartz sands, and find out for yourself.

This popular beach is very relaxing and relatively uncrowded compared to the better-known beaches on nearby Siesta Key. It boasts 1 mile of white sand, and has all the amenities you could wish for including parking, restrooms, concession stands, beach equipment rental, a children’s playground, beach wheelchairs, and a gift shop.

Lido Beach is a short ride from downtown Sarasota, and lies just half a mile from St. Armand’s Circle, a shopping and dining hub bursting with independent stores, bars, and restaurants. This is a great first stop for your beach vacation!

Distance: 4 miles from downtown Sarasota.

The most popular beach in the area, Siesta Key is barrier island boasting 8 miles of white quartz sands and crystal clear waters. Its beauty has won it numerous awards, including AARP #1 Best Beach in the World 2015 and Trip Advisor’s #1 Travelers Choice Top Beaches USA. The beach is dotted with concessions, tennis courts, volleyball nets, picnic pavilions, and children’s play areas. Beach equipment rentals provide umbrellas and lounge chairs as well as watersports equipment to keep you entertained. Stick around until sundown for a stunning view of the sunset.

Distance: 7 miles from downtown Sarasota.

Crescent Beach

Photo Credit: Christopher Nalefski via Flickr

Rated “The World’s Finest Whitest Sand” by the Great International Sand Challenge, this beach is located south of Siesta Beach. The best snorkeling on the Gulf Coast lies here, at a place called Point of Rocks. Limestone ledges extending more than 100 yards north and south make for great exploration. Visibility ranges from a few inches, to 20 feet depending on the weather. The best time to snorkel is during calm weather when the sand is settled. Snorkeling after a storm will result in poor visibility.

Point of Rock’s biggest challenge is parking. Beach Access 12 provides 20 parking spots, but you’ll need to be an early riser to snag one of those. Consider walking along the sand to it from Siesta Beach (20 minutes) or taking the free Siesta Breeze trolley.

Distance: 7 miles from downtown Sarasota.

Longboat Key

Photo credit: CraigONeal on Flickr

The beaches on Longboat Key stretch all along its 11 mile span, making it the perfect spot for beach walking. This beach has no amenities, making it much less crowded than other beaches in the area. This makes is easy to find a nice quiet spot for yourself, so you can enjoy this tropical oasis in peace. Whitney Beach, towards the north end of the key across from Whitney Plaza, has public parking, and there are a number of well-marked beach access areas.

Please note that the beaches on Longboat Key do not have amenities or life guards on duty. Swim at your own risk. Burns Square Historic Vacation Rentals offers free rentals of coolers, beach chairs and umbrellas to make your beach day more enjoyable :)

Distance: 8 miles from downtown Sarasota.

Turtle Beach lies at the Southernmost end of Siesta Key, and is a hub of recreational activities. With slightly darker sand that the rest of the key, it boasts a boat launch, volleyball court, playground, and horseshoe pit. It’s also a wonderful place to hunt for sea shells as its slightly higher incline traps them at high tide. You can also fish here, in the waters of Blind Pass Lagoon.

Distance: 9 miles from downtown Sarasota.

Beer Can Island

Photo Credit: OutlierForLife on Flickr

Beer Can Island a.k.a. Greer Island Park lies at the south end of Longboat Key, and is accessible by shallow boat, or by walking at low tide (You’ll need to time it right so you can also wade back!). This popular white sand beach was formed by tidal currents and offers a beautiful undeveloped shoreline. If you’re looking for a beach vacation that feels remote, this is your spot. This beach also houses an impressive collection of driftwood that add to its rugged beauty.

Please note that this water is not ideal for swimming. There are dangerous rip currents in Longboat Pass. It's safer to swim where you park the car off N. Shore Rd. or better yet, across the bridge at Coquina Beach where there are lifeguards.

Distance: 15 miles from downtown Sarasota.

Disclaimer: We recommend places, products and services based on our own experience, and on feedback from our guests. We do not receive compensation for any of our recommendations, and create these guides solely for the use of our guests and to promote all the wonderful things our hometown has to offer.

Sarasota Beach Guide

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