Sarasota Beaches
Sarasota's Siesta Key beach is known for having the
whitest and finest sand in the world. Sarasota has miles of beaches and dozens of public
accesses with free parking. Many of the beaches offer beach chair and
umbrella rentals, concessions, volleyball, picnic areas and lifeguard
protection. Check this list to be linked to information on local beaches.
Check on water quality at local beaches.
Florida is one of the few states that routinely tests water quality.
Nokomis Beach
Sun Safety Overexposure also causes wrinkling and aging of the skin. Immediate effects include blistering sunburns and longer-term problems like skin cancer and cataracts. Read More
Nokomis
Beach is located on Casey Key directly west of the Albee Road
Bridge.
The park includes 22 acres with 1,700 feet on the Gulf and
3,200 feet on the Intracoastal.
There is a partially covered large pavilion available for rent for parties including a classroom indoors.
For information on shelter rentals, call 941-861-5000.
The beach's amenities include:
- rest rooms
- small picnic shelters
- boat ramp
- boardwalk and deck
- dune walkovers
Picnic Shelters
Picnic shelters and grills are available.
Boardwalk
A large boardwalk and dune
walkovers makes for easy viewing and shade on Nokomis Beach
North Jetty Park
North Jetty Park is located on the southern tip of Casey Key in Nokomis, Florida. The jetties there make it one of the best places on the west coast of Florida for surfing. It's a popular spot for picnics and there is good fishing. Boats pass through the jetties from the Intracoastal to the Gulf
The park's amenities include:
- rest rooms
- large picnic shelter
- small picnic shelters
- horseshoe courts
- volleyball courts
- concession
Lifeguards are on duty year round.
For information on shelter rentals, call 941-861-5000.
When there's a storm in the Gulf of Mexico, surfers come from the other side of Florida to surf the waves breaking on North Jetty Beach in Nokomis. The photo to the left is while tropical storm Isidore was churning in the Gulf of Mexico in 2002 and pushing a lot of surf toward Venice and Nokomis.
Venice Beaches
Venice Beach is located at the west end of Venice Avenue one mile west of business Route 41. If you're a SCUBA diver, a reef containing fossilized material is located a quarter of a mile offshore. You can also find fossilized sharks teeth along the beach.
The beach's amenities include:
- pavilion
- rest rooms
- concession
- picnic tables
- volleyball court
Brohard Park
Brohard Park is located in the southern most part of the City
of Venice, on the Venice Airport property on Harbor Drive.
If you enjoy fishing, there's a 740 foot fishing pier on the
property for public use. The pier has rest rooms, a snack bar,
and a bait shop.
Also located at the park is Sharky's Restaurant and the U.S.
Coast Guard Training Center.
The wetland area is known for bird watching. There are no
lifeguards on duty.
The Venice City Commission voted to allow dogs at South Brohard Park. There is a fenced area, a dune walkover, a drinking fountain and showers for dogs and fire hydrants and leash posts. A 300 foot section of beach is a dog beach for dogs and their owners. Dogs must be on leash or under voice control. Owners must clean up after their pets.
Caspersen Beach
Caspersen Beach is located
south of the Venice Airport on
Harbor Drive. Two thirds of the the beachfront has been left
in its natural state, offering a very secluded location.
Caspersen is known as a great place for collecting shells.
It's also the best beach for finding pre-historic sharks'
teeth.
The beach's amenities include:
- rest rooms
- 1,100 foot boardwalk
- picnic area
- nature trail
Manasota Beach
Manasota Beach is located at the west end of Manasota Beach
Road. This is a small beach, (1,400 feet on the Gulf),
offering a great place to collect shells, walk or relax.
On the Intracoastal side of the park a boat ramp and docking
facilities are available. The 620 foot dock continues as a
boardwalk winding through the mangroves.
The beach's amenities include:
- rest rooms
- boat ramp
- large group picnic shelter
- small picnic shelters
For shelter rental information, call 941-861-5000.
At beaches where lifeguards are on duty you'll find information on water conditions and temperatures. Be sure to pay attention to the flags flying and their color:
Green: All clear or good swimming conditions.
Yellow: Use caution for potentially high surf or dangerous currents and undertows.
One red flag means that the surf is high or there are dangerous currents, or both. Two red flags or a red flag with a swimmer symbol and white line through it indicate the water is closed to swimming, as conditions are too dangerous for even the strongest swimmers.
Purple: Hazardous Marine Life.