A Best-Of Award for Every Sarasota County Beach

With nearly 40 miles of shoreline, Sarasota County is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, each with its own unique characteristics. Depending on what you want to do—from sandcastles to surfing to shopping and more—you will want to choose your beach wisely. Here’s a list of local beach “awards” to help give you an idea of which one is the right choice for your vacation.  

Most Relaxing: Longboat

While all of our beaches can be relaxing, Longboat Key is known as one of the most secluded and uncrowded due to its limited public access.  The 11 access areas, indicated by “Public Beach Access” signs, are just a short walk to stunning Gulf views. There are a few small parking areas along or across from the public beach entrances (e.g. Whitney Beach on the north end), but most hotels and rentals have designated their very own slice of sand for guests to enjoy. Keep in mind, Longboat Key beaches have no lifeguards or public facilities/amenities. However, you'll find a few local coffee shops, an ice cream shop, grocery store and a handful of restaurants on the bayside for refreshments. 

Best Beach for All Day Fun: Siesta

Ranked the No. 1 Beach in the U.S. multiple years running by TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards™, you will quickly understand why when you feel the powdery quartz-crystal sand between your toes at Siesta Beach. Thanks to a massive amenities revamp in recent years at the public beach, visitors have access to hundreds of free parking spots, bathrooms/washrooms and two concession stands offering food and drink refreshments, plus beach equipment rentals and toys for the kids. For even more leisure and action-packed entertainment, there are multiple beach volleyball nets, barbeque grills, a sandcastle-shaped playground, lounge areas, a weekly Drum Circle and a rotating list of pop-up vendors (think hair-braiding, frozen treats, jewelry and more). Siesta Beach is also where you'll find the most access to watersport operators, including parasailing, skimboarding, jet skiing, powerboat rentals and more. With the free Siesta Key Breeze Trolley to get around on the island, and nearby fun Siesta Key Village, you can plan your whole trip centered around this gorgeous key without ever getting bored. 

Most Connected: Lido

If you want to try a lot of different things in one day, Lido Beach is the place to go. You can visit the beach, grab a bite to eat, shop for a bit, go on an e-bike tour, stroll through art galleries and then even go for some spa treatment — all within the same pedestrian-friendly area. Lido Key's main public beach is within walking distance to St. Armands Circle and its over 130 merchants (Sarasota’s own mini Rodeo Drive). Throughout the year, you can find festivals, car shows, powerboat races and holiday-themed events hosted right on the key. On the beach itself, enjoy plenty of free parking, a beautiful concession with refreshments and bathrooms/washrooms and lifeguards on duty. Lido Beach is especially great to sift through mounds of seashells or sit and watch the surfers catch small waves on a windy Gulf day. 

Best Beach for Kids: Caspersen and Venice

Shark tooth hunting is the main attraction at Caspersen Beach and Venice Beach. Venice is known as the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World", and fossil aficionados flock to all Venice-area beaches to find these fossilized teeth that have been washing ashore for thousands of years. Bring a sand sifter (or rent one nearby), arrive early and wear comfy sandals as some parts of Caspersen are rocky. Once the kids get their fill of shark tooth hunting, they can run around on the nearby playground. For more family fun, the Venice Fishing Pier stretches 700 ft and offers a panoramic view to spot a mix of native species — from seabirds and fish to sting rays and manatees. The best part is that anyone can fish from the pier for free and without a fishing license. Need supplies? Papa’s Bait & Snack Shop is located in the middle of the pier and offers rentals for rods and sand sifters—a.k.a. “Florida snow shovels.” 

Best Beach for Paddling: South Lido

Not far from the main public entrance at Lido Beach is South Lido Beach, tucked away and offering equally spectacular views with a quieter vibe. On one side, you have the park overlooking Sarasota Bay and offering plenty of room to swim, kayak, canoe or paddleboard. Local operators are nearby here for either equipment rentals or tours to get you on the water. The other side of the park provides a wide, open beach with magnificent Gulf views and plenty of space to spread out or take a long walk in the powdery sand. Ted Sperling Nature Park and its famous mangrove tunnels make a memorable route off the shoreline — cherished by those fond of paddling to spot unique wildlife such as turtles, crabs, manatees, dolphins, various wading birds (herons, egrets, ospreys) and small fish species that inhabit the seagrass beds. 

Best Beach for Dogs: Brohard Paw Park

A touch further of Venice Beach is Brohard Paw Park, which stands out as the Gulf Coast’s ultimate dog-friendly beach, as it’s designed specifically with pups (and their humans) in mind. This sandy stretch offers leash-free play in designated areas, gentle Gulf waters perfect for splashing and practical perks like dog showers, drinking fountains, waste stations and shaded seating. With plenty of room to roam and a welcoming, social vibe among fellow dog lovers, it’s less of a quick walk and more of a full-on beach day where muddy paws and wagging tails are not just allowed — they’re the whole point.

Most Quiet Old-Florida Escape: Manasota

If you’re craving a beach day that feels wonderfully unplugged, Manasota Key's public beach is your spot. Known for its laid-back, less-developed shoreline, Manasota Beach is ideal for visitors seeking space to spread out, hunt for shells, sunbathe and soak in a more natural Gulf Coast vibe. The mix of soft sand, coastal vegetation and peaceful stretches of shoreline makes it perfect for sunset walks, low-key picnics and anyone who prefers tranquil scenery over crowds and concessions.

Best for Pictures: Any Beach in Sarasota County

Whether you’re looking for a location to take your next family photo or capture a stunning sunset for socials, our beaches are primed and ready. Siesta and Lido Beaches are known for their iconic colorful lifeguard stands that will definitely brighten your feed. Venice Fishing Pier (especially underneath) can make for some Insta-worthy shots. For family photos, the sand dunes of Turtle Beach, the jetties of Nokomis Beach or the coastal forestry of Blind Pass Beach Park make for picturesque backdrops (be careful not to stand too close to these environmentally protected areas though). Sunset pictures are gorgeous along any of our Gulf Coast beaches with turquoise waters and vivid skies as the horizon.

As you explore our coastline, be sure to check out Sarasota Beach Pass to find area beaches and earn prizes!