This chapter covers exclusively the beaches of the area.
All area beaches are on the barrier islands; you will not find a single one on the mainland. Therefore, it doesn’t matter where you reside on the mainland, if you want to go swimming with the dolphins, sharks, jellyfish, or whatever, you need to cross a bridge, use a ferry, or have your own boat. There is no other way if you want to go to one of those beautiful tropical beaches located on one of the barrier islands.
Also, if you are interested in a home in North Port, Port Charlotte, or Punta Gorda, keep in mind that none of the cities has a beach on the Gulf of Mexico because they are at least 10 miles away from the shoreline. Some advertising pieces seem to pretend that the three cities have their own beach, but that is not true. Charlotte harbor has no beaches at all, and the Gulf beaches are all on the barrier islands.
Palm Island, Knight Island Thornton Key, and Little Gasparilla Island
Those little islands have very natural beaches; however, the island beaches can only be reached by ferry, or easier, by private boat. If you are not a resident or renter, Don Pedro State Park would probably be the initial point from where you can explore the State Park's beach. The state park is in the center of the island from where you can go to the northern or southern tip of the island.
This beach is rarely crowded because the access is a more difficult because you need a boat. There is a small wooden pier that can hold some ten or twelve boats. Most of the powerboats are in the 17 - 24 foot range. The park also also provides a canoe launch with racks for the boats. People who like nature but do not need the newest and sleekest amenities will love it there. A huge picnic shelter, grills, and restrooms are convenient amenities. So, everything you need is in place. However, there are no burger joints, Hooter's Restaurants, or bars. During off-season you may be the only one on the beach. Worst case scenario during season is a maximum of 50 people on the beach.
Gasparilla Island - Cross the Bridge and You are in a different World
The next island further south is Gasparilla Island. This one you can reach with your car. The toll for the bridge is $6, and if you want to go to the State Park at the southern tip of the island, you have to pay a few bucks more for the Park entrance. Some of the other parking lots require payment as well.
There are several access points to the beach along Gasparilla Road. They are little cul-de-sacs with limited parking and no amenities.
Boca Grande Beach, which is about halfway down the island, has a few more parking spots. However, parking is still limited, too. Therefore, you need a little luck if you went to the beach on public holidays. The beach, though, is gorgeous, and it might be worth to try.
Gasparilla Island State Park, with the Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum, has two parking areas. You might be more successful in finding a parking spot here, and you can even visit the Lighthouse Museum, which is very informative. It tells you something about the history of the lighthouse and the island. The entrance fee covers the museum, too. So, why don't you give it a try?
The beach facing the Gulf side is the only safe spot for swimming. Three boardwalks are leading through the dunes to the beach. You will see the remains of an old pier sticking out of the water. Hundreds of birds are usually hanging out there, and if you are lucky, you will see a family of manatees, but only during the summer months.
.jpg "Gasparilla Island")
Venice - Did You collect enough Sand in Your Shoes?
Walk to Venice Downtown or the Historic District for an ice cream or a cold beer. You can do that only on the Venice Isle.
The next four beaches, north of Manasota Key, are all on the Island of Venice. Caspersen Beach has excellent new amenities. Expect plenty of parking, a playground, and canoe launch. Although, during season there is never enough space to park your car. When you are coming late, you may be disappointed.
The beach itself is perfect for people who like to walk along the shoreline. If you are lucky, you will find one of those shark teeth the beach is famous for.
Brohard Beach and Brohard "Paw Park beach" are a little further north, and you should ask your " furry friend" if he wants to go to that beach. Tell him that he can swim with dolphins, but don't be upset if he doesn't believe you. There are not many beaches on Florida's West Coast where dogs are permitted, and even a dog knows that.
Next to the beach is a park where your dog can "talk" to other dogs, and the owner to other owners. Water fountains and restrooms for the dog owners make a visit to the park very enjoyable.
Fishing Pier and Venice Beach - Yes, you can Have a Great Time Here!
The Fishing Pier comes next. Two restaurants, "Sharky's on the Pier" and the more upscale "Fins," are expecting your visit. You can rent fishing equipment on the pier (you don't need "a license to kill") and try your luck, or you can sit on the deck at Sharky's and enjoy the sunset with a grilled grouper sandwich and a glass of Merlot. While the guys on the pier are trying to catch something they can put on their sandwich you can make yourself ready for a beautiful sunset.
On the opposite side, a little further north, you will see Venice Beach and the Jetty. If you missed Sharkey's and you are hungry by now, Crow's Nest would please you with tasty food and more - You can Have a Great Time there while watching the boats passing the Jetty and the dolphins paying with their prey.
You can also bring your fishing gear and try to catch something for dinner. That's basically what many people do when they go to the Jetty. But be prepared that you are competing with dolphins, pelicans, and other fish hunters. Some of them are really good at snitching fish!
Nokomis Beach - the "Grandfather" of all Beaches
Nokomis Beach is on the other side of the Venice Jetty. It is the only beach on Casey Key, and it is the oldest beach in Sarasota County. The County just remodeled all the amenities. So, you can really enjoy a beautiful day on the beach. The beach is just plain perfect; there are also beach boys (lifeguards), making sure that beautiful young girls are not drowning. Drowning guys are usually on their own.
Yes, this is a perfect spot on Casey Key. Bathing in the jetty would be plain stupid, but the Gulf side, which is Nokomis Beach, is excellent for swimming. And if you want to walk along the shoreline, searching for shells and other treasures, you can do that for many miles.
The Siesta Key Beaches - The Celebrity under the Beaches
The farthest south public beach on Siesta Key is "Turtle Beach." It is a quiet beach with restrooms and picnic areas. The lagoon in the middle of the island is perfect for launching your kayak or small powerboat. The shallow water of the lagoon is also ideal for kids. The water has no connection to the Gulf, though, if you want to go out on the Gulf of Mexico with your kayak, you have to drag it across the beach. There used to be a canal, but residents closed it a while ago. There are talks about reopening it again, but for now that is not going to happen.
A few restaurants provide food for the hungry beachcombers, but otherwise, it is pretty quiet at the south end of Siesta Key.
"Crescent Beach" would be the next beach, about 3 miles further north. But that beach section is occupied by all the people who pour out of those condominium towers. We don't like that one too much.
Another step further north: Siesta Key Public Beach is where the action is. Beach Volleyball tournaments and sandcastle building competitions, all the action takes place on the public beach. Now, with the new amenities, this beach is attracting even more people. You can sit on a sundeck while watching the craziness around you, and while the color of your skin is slowly changing from white to lobster red, and you can enjoy a hot dog or a burger. How about that? The Public Beach is the one with the quartz sand, pure white sand. Every year the beaches in the US are getting rated and this beach comes always in as #1 or #2. Why is it one year #1 and the other year #2? We don't know. But we know that on a hot summer's day the sand is always cool. You will never burn your feet.
And the "Siesta Key Village," with all the interesting restaurants, bars, and shops, is only minutes away. If that is not convenient, what would the meaning of convenience be?
Lido-, Longboat-, and Anna Maria - From Exclusive to Laid Back
The next beaches would be on Lido Key, with beautiful white sand and emerald waters. After a day at the beach, go to St Armands Circle. Interesting little shops, restaurants with international cuisine, and boutiques with nice closing can put a dent into your bank account, but you will not regret having done that. You will feel the vibe, you just cannot describe it.
Longboat Key has miles of beachfront, but it is almost all in private hands, except for several public beach access points. However, we are no real fans of the Longboat Key beaches. In our opinion, the beaches on Lido Key and Anna Maria are nicer, however, that is our opinion and nobody needs to agree to that,
Anna Maria has three beautiful white-sand beaches. Coquina Beach/Bradenton Beach at the south end of the Isle, Holmes Beach in the center of the island, and Coconut Beach/Anna Maria City at the north end. We really don’t know which one is the best deal because we like all three of them. Grand island, magnificent beaches. Overrun once in a while, more and more people are coming to Florida, and the beaches are not growing. Actually, the sea level rise takes its toll. The beaches are getting smaller.
.jpg "Anna Maria Island")
