10 Best Beaches in Sarasota

Siesta Key Beach offers 8 miles of sand, sun, and surf accessible by two bridges that come from the mainland. Siesta Beach is widely known as one of the best beaches in the entire world, with immaculately manicured powder-soft white sands and an endless horizon of crystal blue waters.

Siesta Key is also a major part of the nightlife, and when the sun goes down, the entire beach becomes a gigantic party. During the day, however, it's nothing but family-friendly fun as far as the eye can see. If there's one thing you can say about this beach just 17 minutes south of downtown, it has something for everyone.

Sarasota Gay Beach at North Lido Park, just 13 minutes west of downtown, is at the heart of LGBTQ+ culture, with a storied history and quiet stretches of white sand. Once this beach was a popular clothing-optional beach, but today it's part of the Sarasota gay community and is famed for its secluded romantic trails.

The beach is very bare-bones, with no amenities, so bring your beach blanket and snacks along for the day. Still, if you're looking for a peaceful escape in an LGBTQ+ friendly stretch of soft sand and clear blue waters, this beach (also called North Lido beach) is the place to be.

Crescent Beach, just off the coast of Sarasota on Siesta Key and 17 minutes south of downtown, offers powdery white sand, plenty of amenities, and breathtaking sunsets. It's lined with hotels and condos, and the crowds here are slightly lower than they are to the adjacent beaches, making it something of a surprise gem where you can always find some space to spread out. The beach is popular with water sports enthusiasts, and you'll find jet skis, parasailing, kayaking, and canoeing opportunities.

Of course, many folks just want to kick back and relax, throw a frisbee, or hit a beach ball. That's fine, too; this is a family-friendly, calm, and beautiful stretch of sand.

Coquina Beach offers 22 acres of beach on Anna Maria Island that offers gorgeous white sands, clear waters, lifeguards, and tons of convenient amenities. It's a fantastic place to stretch out and bask in the sun, splash in the water, and catch sight of dolphins swimming in the Gulf. You can also bring a bicycle here and bike the multipurpose trail adjacent to the beach.

After your day's adventures or your lazy day of sunbathing, you can head for a beachside café that offers plenty of options for food and drinks with outstanding views. It's just 30 minutes northwest of downtown Sarasota.

Lido Beach Park on Lido Key, about 15 minutes west of downtown Sarasota, is among the most popular beaches in Sarasota and stands on a historic site. Between 1940 and 1969, this beach was the home of a famous casino. Today it offers a calm surf and plenty of lifeguards, making it a very safe place to swim for the kids, and it's packed with amenities like nearby shops and restaurants to enjoy.

While visiting this family-friendly stretch of sun and sand, don't forget to hit up the beachside café. Here you'll enjoy everything from hot dogs to fish tacos, all within sight of the beach.

South Lido Park Beach offers 100 acres of relaced ambiance, clear waters, and great swimming on the southern edge of Lido Key, about 15 minutes west of downtown. This beach has also been ranked among the best for swimming in all of Sarasota. It's also a fantastic place for families, because the amenities include a playground for kids. You can also bring a picnic lunch and stretch it out in shaded spots. They even offer barbecue grills to cook out.

If you're into nature sports, the beach offers hiking and biking trails. An observation deck allows for fantastic views of the entire island, making for great photo ops.

Turtle Beach on Siesta Key, just about 13 minutes west of downtown, is known for the sea turtles that nest along its shores and offers great swimming and amenities. People flock here for the chance to see the turtles laying their eggs, but it's also a great place to go kayaking along a local wetlands area and lagoon. Kids love this beach due to the playground it offers. If you enjoy tossing horseshoes, the beach also offers courts where you can try your hand at a match.

The beach also offers a popular boardwalk to enjoy. Best of all, the onsite campground lets you pitch a tent and sleep right on the ocean shore under a million stars above.

Longboat Key Beach is among the best in Sarasota, with 10 miles of private, secluded shoreline, turquoise waters, immaculate shorelines, and no crowds. Longboat Key is limited access, so you will have to arrange your visit to this island 20 minutes west of downtown, but you won't see loads of other people. You'll have tons of room for yourself on powdery white sands to just kick back, relax, recharge, and escape from the hustle and bustle. The view is breathtaking, and you'll find nothing to disturb it.

Since these beaches are limited access, it's important to know there are no amenities nearby like restaurants or shops. Be sure to pack your own umbrella, beach chairs, food, and drinks.

Indian Beach Park is a small, one-acre stretch of shoreline about 10 minutes northwest of downtown, offering canoeing, kayaking, and quiet waters. This attraction is more of a city park than an actual beach. You won't find stretches of soft white sand here. You will find paved walking paths, benches to sit on, and calm waters as far as the eye can see. This is a place to take a break from your exploration, breathe for a few minutes, and enjoy the calm waters flowing past.

If you're a water sports fan, the kayak and canoe launch here make this a popular spot to begin or end your journey. Otherwise, it's just a peaceful, quiet spot for a rest.

Anna Maria Public Beach on Anna Maria Island, about 45 minutes northwest of downtown Sarasota offers seven miles of unspoiled white sand beaches with plenty of amenities to enjoy. Here you can relax on the untouched, serene shores. You can also explore outstanding seafood restaurants and walk streets lined with historic and old-fashioned buildings. The streets are also lined with small, quaint, independent shops selling arts, crafts, and boutique fashion.

Some of the most popular activities here include manatee and dolphin watching from the shore, turtle nests, and spotting local bird species, including bald eagles, osprey, and pelicans. This is a wonderful place to relax on a public beach with a classy, upscale vibe.