Current Sarasota Beach Conditions

With over 35 miles of beaches and six islands to choose from, picking the perfect kind of paradise in Sarasota can seem daunting. The sand, wildlife and scenery along our coastline can change with just a short walk in any direction; and depending on the weather, a storm could become a sunny beach day in the time it takes you to get there from your hotel.

We have several online tools and resources to check beach conditions while planning your trip to Sarasota or packing up for a day at the beach.

Explore Live Conditions

Several local organizations, including Sarasota’s own Mote Marine Laboratory, provide daily live updates on Sarasota beach conditions and important health and safety markers.

Mote Marine Laboratory runs a beach conditions report updated twice daily at around 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., including weather information like UV index and wind speed, surf and water conditions and even crowd reports.

Access the Mote Marine Laboratory Beach Conditions Reporting System

The Florida Department of Health manages the Florida Healthy Beaches program, which samples public marine beaches for certain contaminants that may cause disease or infection. 

Access the Florida Healthy Beaches Lookup

Want to check the water quality before you dive in? Sarasota County provides a recreational water quality map with detailed information about red tide, bacteria and pollution.

Access the Sarasota County Water Atlas recreational water quality map

Red tide is a common, naturally occurring phenomenon in Sarasota that can kill marine animals and harm humans in high doses. While red tide usually doesn’t impact beachgoers, it can cause a “red tide tickle” — an itchy throat and coughing. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission monitors red tide and updates the sample map daily at 5 p.m.

View the Red Tide Current Status map

Get a live view of Siesta Key Beach, one of the best beaches in the United States, before you go.

Watch the Siesta Key Beach live cam

Florida’s Beach Warning Flag Guide

While you’re at one of Sarasota’s beautiful beaches, you might see a flag raised at the lifeguard stand. To alert beachgoers to potential hazards, the Florida Coastal Management Program developed a color-coded flag system used at all public beaches in the state.

Average Water Temperature in Sarasota

Sarasota water temperatures generally stay temperate, making them perfect for swimming and enjoying water sports all year long. Highs reach up to 88°F in August, and lows can hit 61°F in January. The water tends to feel cooler in the winter months, plus with lower crowds and less traffic, it’s a great excuse for a winter getaway.

Average Air Temperatures in Sarasota

While the water may stay warm year-round, Sarasota can get pretty hot in the summer. However, the summer “wet season” brings occasional afternoon rain and/or thunderstorms. Be prepared for last-minute afternoon showers that can interrupt beach days, and always watch for flags at the lifeguard stand.

Weather and Seasonal Changes

Sarasota’s beaches change with the seasons, so here's what to expect throughout the year.

Hurricane season runs June 1 through Nov. 30, with the greatest activity typically in August, September and October. Before your trip, check the City of Sarasota website and Hurricane Preparedness resources for the latest storm updates, and always follow guidance from local officials if a storm is approaching.

Sea turtle nesting season runs May 1 through Oct. 31. Visitors can help protect nests by:

• Knocking down any sand sculptures you've built and filling in any holes you've dug, as they can become unexpected obstacles for sea turtles en route to the water
• Removing any furniture, toys, boats, canopies or any other potentially obstructive items when your beach day is over
• Properly disposing of your (or others') trash and food scraps
• Reducing the use of flashlights, tiki torches or cellphones on the beaches at night

Red tide is a naturally occurring algae bloom that can appear along the Gulf Coast, most often in late summer and fall, though it can happen at any time of year. It's not present at every beach at once — conditions can vary from one beach access point to the next depending on wind and current. Most people can still enjoy the beach during a red tide event, but you might notice a mild cough, scratchy throat or eye irritation, especially if you have asthma or chronic respiratory conditions.

Beach Safety Tips

Here's how to spend a fun, safe day at Sarasota's beaches. These tips aren't all-encompassing, so always pay attention to lifeguard directions and check conditions by calling 941-BEACHES (941-232-2437).

Swim near a lifeguard. Sarasota County lifeguards staff towers at select beaches — including Lido, Siesta, Nokomis, North Jetty, Venice and Manasota — daily from roughly 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (hours may shift seasonally). Check which beaches are guarded, and always check the flags posted at the tower before entering the water.

Know your flag colors. Lifeguards fly warning flags to signal water conditions, and update them throughout the day as conditions change:

• Green – Low hazard, calm conditions
• Yellow – Moderate hazard: watch for surf and currents
• Red – High hazard: strong surf or currents; lifeguards may direct swimmers out of the water
• Double Red – Water closed to the public
• Purple – Dangerous marine life present (jellyfish, stingrays, etc.)

Protect against sun and dehydration. Florida sun is intense year-round, even under cloud cover.

• Apply — and reapply — sunscreen often, especially after swimming
• Bring a hat, sunglasses, and an umbrella or sun shelter
• Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak UV hours
• Drink plenty of water

Check conditions before you go. Call 941-BEACHES (941-232-2437) or visit Mote Marine's Beach Conditions Reporting System for the latest flag status, water quality and red tide updates, updated twice daily.

Accessibility & Amenities

Visitors of all abilities are welcome to enjoy Sarasota’s beaches, though exact amenities may vary by beach.

Beach wheelchairs are available to the public at no cost, year-round, for visitor use from parking areas to the shore at the following beaches: Lido, Manasota, Nokomis, North Jetty, Siesta and Venice.

Check with the lifeguards at those beaches for availability. At Siesta Beach, you can sign out wheelchairs at the main pavilion concession stand. To check availability or make special arrangements after concessionaires or lifeguards close for the day, call 311 or 941-861-5000.

For extended use, several businesses near the beaches also offer beach wheelchair rentals on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

Visiting Siesta Beach? Look for the beach access mat — a non-slip, semi-rigid, stable rollout pathway that makes it easy to cross the sand in a wheelchair.

General amenities may vary across Sarasota County beaches, but usually include:

• Restrooms and outdoor showers
• Picnic pavilions and shaded seating
• Playgrounds (select beaches)
• Concession stands and nearby dining
• Free and metered parking, with ADA spaces at accessible beaches
• Beach wheelchair rental businesses located near several beach communities for extended or multi-day use