Sand & Water Sports: Where to Play on Sarasota's Beaches

Sarasota County’s 35 miles of coastline serve as a stage for every kind of Florida athlete and adventurer. The beaches here are, of course, conducive for sunbathing and lounging, but they're also the perfect place for travelers seeking an active day in the sun, whether partaking in adrenaline-pumping water sports or relaxing recreation.

Mindful Movement with Yoga

Manasota Key Beach

Many of our shores transform into open-air studios for yogis looking to get outside for a stretch and practice their breathwork. Between lifeguard stands and in the serene hours of sunrise or sunset, locals and visitors can be seen moving through their flows.

Bring a mat and strike a pose as you greet the morning (or evening) sun at one of these free yoga sessions on Manasota Beach, Venice Beach, Nokomis Beach and Siesta Beach. Classes on the beach are suitable for all ages and skill levels.

Long-Distance Runs & Open-Water Swims

Lido Key Beach

For those who prefer a faster pace, Lido Key's beaches offer a natural track unlike any other in the world. While most beaches feature soft, shifting sand that can strain the ankles, the shoreline at Lido packs down into a firm, moist surface near the water’s edge that mimics a professional running track. Long-distance runners often start at the main public pavilion and head either south toward South Lido Beach Park or north to North Lido Beach Park, enjoying a breezy 5K where the only "traffic" is a stray shorebird or shell-seeker.

Lido's main beach is also a great place for an open-water swim if you're looking for a good exercise or training for a triathlon, as lifeguards are on duty daily and boats don't come close to shore to anchor here.

Other excellent locations for a long beach run, jog or swim include Siesta Public Beach and Manasota Beach. No matter the day or time, look forward to lacing up, burning some calories, activating your muscles and getting a mental health boost from the coastal scenery.

Casual-to-Competitive Beach Volleyball

Siesta Key Beach

One of the most decorated beaches in Sarasota is Siesta Beach—dubbed the "No. 1 Beach in the U.S." multiple years running by TripAdvisor's Travelers’ Choice Awards. The largest beach in Sarasota County and one of the widest beaches in the nation, Siesta Beach features 10 sand volleyball courts. Located near the main pavilion, these courts are available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

Whether it’s an annual SSOVA tournament or a casual weekend pickup game, the culture here is inclusive yet competitive. Players range from amateur enthusiasts to collegiate-level athletes, but the atmosphere is always electric, fueled by upbeat music and the sharp thwack of a perfectly timed spike. 

Other top locations for beach volleyball play include Venice Beach, Nokomis Beach and Manasota Beach Park. 

Paddling by Kayak or Paddleboard

Photo courtesy of Get Up And Go Kayaking

Stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking are popular all along the Gulf Coast, but especially through the mangroves and sandbars around Lido Key's South Lido Beach and Siesta Key's Turtle Beach. Paddling is not only a great cardio and strength workout for your core, back and arms—it's also a chance to catch a new vantage point of the shoreline, as well as native wildlife you may not see from the mainland. Whether you’re balanced on a paddleboard or tucked into a kayak with a buddy, this is an opportunity to sneak in a workout that hardly feels like work.

Rent your vessel or take a guided tour with local operators Dolphin Paddlesports, Kayaking SRQ, Happy Paddler and Get Up And Go Kayaking.

Chasing the Swell While Surfing or Skimboarding

Venice South Jetty

While Florida's Gulf Coast isn't Hawaii's North Shore, certain swells bring out the local surf community throughout the year. The North Jetty Beach in Nokomis and South Jetty Beach in Venice remain the premier spots for surfing in Sarasota County. The jetties create a reliable break when there's a west or northwest swell. Lido Beach is another public favorite for locals and visitors, especially during hurricane season or winter cold fronts. Meanwhile, the coarser sand and steeper drop-off of Turtle Beach make it the top choice for skimboarders looking for "shore break" waves. 

The wide-open beaches of Nokomis Beach are also great for skimboarding, which is where the annual Spring Fling Skim Jam takes place. For surfboard and skimboards rentals or purchasese, check out local Compound Boardshop or Windflight Surf Shop.

Instant Adrenaline with Jet Skiing, Boating & Parasailing

Photo courtesy of Sea Rocket Gulf Coast Parasail

When the heat of the day settles in, the action moves off the sand and into the turquoise depths. Local parasailing operators like CB's Saltwater Outfitters and Sea Rocket Gulf Coast Parasail offer a bird’s-eye perspective of the barrier islands, hoisting riders a thousand-plus feet into the air. From this height, the Gulf reveals its secrets—shadowy manatees drifting through the tide and pods of dolphins playing in the wake of boats.

For those who prefer to stay closer to the water, renting a Jet Ski or powerboat with Siesta Key Watersports or Off the Hook Jet Skis and Boat Rentals allows for high-speed exploration of the Intracoastal Waterway, where the thrill of the engine is matched only by the spray of the salt water against your skin. 

Other water sports with a boat rental include water skiing, wakeboarding and tubing, while HydroCats offers a unique excursion via catamaran speedboat that feels like its own sport entirely. 

Cast a Line with Inshore Fishing

Venice Fishing Pier

For the angler, Sarasota County’s beaches, jetties and piers are perfect to grab some bait and cast right from the sandy shores. Big Sarasota Pass and New Pass act as massive saltwater highways, where the rushing tides flush baitfish toward hungry snook, redfish and spotted seatrout.

The rocky formations of Nokomis' jetty create a perfect ambush point for sheepshead in the winter and tarpon during the sweltering summer months, while the sounds at Venice Fishing Pier often include whirring reels and the shared anticipation of a heavy strike—proving you don't need a boat to experience the world-class fishing that Florida's Gulf Coast is famous for. 

Inshore anglers also head to the fishing dock of Blind Pass Beach Park or the quiet, uncrowded shores of Longboat Key to test the waters as much as their rod.