Discover the Best Beaches in Sarasota

The best beaches of Sarasota offer much more than just a place to soak up the sunshine and dig your toes into the sand (although, being on the Gulf Coast of Florida, you will find soft white sand beaches). Each beach has its own charm and provides a range of experiences suitable for everyone, whether you’re seeking family-oriented activities or tranquil retreats by the sea. The coastline is within easy reach of Sarasota, and many public beaches have free parking, a plus for budget-conscious travelers.

Explore Sarasota’s best beaches, from top-rated Siesta Beach to quiet Lido Key, each with unique activities for your getaway.

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If you travel to Sarasota with family, apart from the fun things to do like the Circus Museum at The Ringling, head to these family-friendly beaches that are sure to be fun for you and the kids. They offer picturesque white sand, amenities like picnic areas and grills, and playgrounds.

Location: 948 Beach Road, Sarasota, FL

Siesta Beach on Siesta Key, one of the best vacation spots in the U.S., welcomes you to its pristine, family-friendly shores adorned with powdery white sand. The beach is equipped with a range of attractions that cater to all ages. Families delight in the playgrounds and volleyball courts, as well as picnic areas set aside for their leisure. For added comfort, beachgoers can rent chairs, umbrellas and beach wheelchairs from the Siesta Sand Plaza concession stand.

Elevating your time at Siesta Beach are amenities like free parking and the availability of the Siesta Key Breeze Trolley, which has stops throughout Siesta Key.

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Location: 2100 North Beach Road, Englewood, FL

Englewood Beach, located in Chadwick Park, is on Manasota Key just south of Sarasota. With inviting white sand lined with warm Gulf waters, the family-friendly beach has volleyball courts, a basketball court and horseshoe pits, so whether you want to relax on the sand or have an active day, there's something here for you.

Other amenities at the beach include:

Location: 100 Casey Key Road, Nokomis, FL

For a family-friendly beach that has a touch of history, head over to Casey Key to find the oldest public beach in Sarasota County — Nokomis Beach. Relax on the sand, play beach volleyball and take the kids to the playground. In addition to the boat launch and fishing pier, other amenities at this beach include a canoe launch, picnic area and restrooms.

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For a calm, oceanside escape, you can’t beat some of the beaches on the Gulf. These secluded beaches include spots for snorkeling and opportunities for wildlife viewing, making them excellent getaways whether you want to relax on the sand or enjoy a bit of adventure.

Location: limited parking available at 6490 Midnight Pass Road

Crescent Beach has only two public access points, which helps keep this beach more secluded than the other must-do spots on Siesta Key. The quiet beach is a family-friendly spot, and the powdery white sand is an inviting locale for sunbathers. Meanwhile, snorkeling is a popular pastime at Point Rocks, on the south end of the beach.

Location: 159 Emerson Drive, Sarasota, FL

North Lido Beach, aka North Lido Beach Park, is an undeveloped area on Lido Key. This peaceful and secluded beach offers a natural respite from everyday life. Conservation is important to maintaining North Lido Beach Park, so park officials urge guests not to disturb bird nesting areas and refrain from interacting with or disturbing wildlife.

You’ll also find a canoe and kayak launch, but no lifeguards are on duty. There are also nature trails to further explore and enjoy the area.

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Visit these beaches for a bit more than sun and sand. You might spot a sea turtle, hike a beach trail to spot birds or kayak through the mangrove tunnels to see manatees.

Location: 8918 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL

Nestled in a tranquil setting, Turtle Beach is an idyllic retreat for nature lovers. This calm haven is not only peaceful but also serves as a crucial habitat for sea turtle nesting from May through October, when visitors can witness the extraordinary natural phenomenon. However, it is important to remember you should never touch or interact with sea turtles or their nests. Here are some more dos and don'ts for observing sea turtles on Sarasota beaches.

This family-friendly beach has a playground, horseshoe pit and picnic area. It is also adjacent to the Turtle Beach Campground for those who enjoy beach camping. Also, the Siesta Key Breeze Trolley stops here, making it a convenient locale. So if you are looking for an ideal destination to unwind amidst nature while keeping an eye out for sea turtles, look no further.

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Location: 900 Gulf Boulevard, Englewood, FL

Stump Pass Beach State Park is a tranquil setting that allows visitors to spot wildlife on nature trails. In the winter, you can take a ranger-led hike. The park also has a kayak launch, so you can experience the beach from a paddleboard or kayak.

During the winter, this secluded beach on Manasota Key is a great spot to find shells. Remember, though, that while your furry friend is allowed in the park, dogs are not permitted on the beach.

Location: 190 Taft Drive, Sarasota, FL

At South Lido Beach, enjoy the sun, sand and recreational activities on Lido Key. While here, you can partake in kayaking as well as beach volleyball. Amenities at this beach include

On a kayak tour, you might see dolphins and manatees as well as several kinds of birds. This is not a safe place to swim — the currents are strong, and no lifeguards are on duty.

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Getty Images / Anita Kot

If you are traveling with your dog to Sarasota, you'll want to head over to nearby Venice for the only dog-friendly beach in Sarasota County.

Location: 1600 Harbor Drive, Venice, FL

Head to Brohard Beach and Paw Park for a fun day in the sun with your canine companions. Dogs can play leash-free at Brohard Beach, the only dog-friendly beach in Sarasota County.

Park facilities keep dogs in mind with amenities including:

Getty Images / Diana Robinson Photography

You probably won’t find a pirate’s buried treasure (although we can always hope), but you can find seashells and shark teeth at these Sarasota beaches.

Location: 4100 Harbor Drive, Venice, FL

Caspersen Beach in Venice — the shark tooth capital of the world — offers a lovely natural setting where beachgoers can enjoy a seaside stroll and birdwatching on a nature trail through a coastal hammock. There’s also a canoe launch and fishing pier. But Caspersen Beach is most famous for the shark teeth that wash ashore; the best time to find shark teeth is at low tide, especially after a storm. Other amenities at Caspersen Beach include a playground and restrooms.

Location: 101 The Esplanade, Venice, FL

Venice Beach, in Venice, Florida, is a fun spot to visit while vacationing in Sarasota. The walkable downtown and free parking mean that you can tour the town and visit the beach without a lot of driving. On Venice Beach, the sail-style pavilion has some concessions. Other amenities include:

And similar to Caspersen Beach, you might find a shark tooth on Venice Beach. Scuba divers can go shore diving or book a diving tour to look for megalodon shark teeth and explore the reef.

Anna Maria Island is north of Sarasota and is a peaceful beach community, where you can relax on the beach, enjoy a meal at one of the fantastic eateries like those near Holmes Beach and walk out onto the city pier near Bayfront Park.

Manatee Beach offers lifeguards, restrooms, showers and a playground, making it a great choice for a beach outing with the whole family. Another popular spot is Coquina Beach, popular among shell hunters and collectors. You can also find shark teeth here.

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