Siesta Key

Siesta Key

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Siesta Key is an eight-mile-long barrier island off of the central western coast of Florida, approximately 55 miles/88 kilometers south of Tampa on Florida's Gulf Coast. It is situated between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Founded in 1846, there are now approximately 24,000 full and part-time residents of Siesta Key.

You will find Siesta alive with tropical atmosphere, blessed with the some of the world's finest, whitest beaches, filled with charming hideaways, and always offering plenty to do - but it is also a place to relax, and let the warm breezes, cool water and soft sand transport you to your personal paradise!

Siesta Key's Village shopping area feature shops from the chic and elegant to the hip and funky, with all sorts of fashion, beach accessories and souvenirs. The Village also offers restaurants where you can go to grab a quick breakfast or lunch in your flip-flops and sandy toes, sip a rum-runner after a morning on the beach, or to simply relax in style over an extraordinary dinner.

Many species of tropical trees and flowering shrubs thrive here, as well as exotic parrots and numerous varieties of native birds. Along the beaches and bays you will see gulls, terns, plovers, pelicans, egrets, herons, ibis, spoonbills, storks and cranes. Offshore dolphins and manatees are often spotted frolicking in the gulf and bay waters.

There are almost 50 miles of canals and waterways inside Siesta Key which is also surrounded by water, the Intracoastal waterway, Sarasota Bay, Roberts Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Temporary docking is available at several local restaurants and many of the condominiums have boat docks available for renters. For your enjoyment, there are many marinas offering charters, guided tours and boat rentals.

Siesta Key has three wonderful beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, where you can play, relax, or walk along the water's edge. Enjoy the sunshine and tropical breeze while you track the flight of pelicans and shorebirds, and keep an eye out for the playful dolphins. Fishing, shelling, swimming, parasailing, boating, snorkeling - take your pick. Or just sit back and relax, enjoying the view.

Siesta Beach

Siesta Beach is renowned for its breath-taking sunsets, easy-going waves, and gorgeous, crystal-white sand. The sand is 99% pure quartz, soft and cool on the feet. "The many awards it has earned include the 1987 Great International White Sand Challenge (in which its sand was scientifically proven to be the world's finest, whitest finest beach sand), "The Best Sand Beach in America" (The Travel Channel, 2004) and being rated number two on Dr. Beach's "Best Beaches in America in 2009 and 2010."

Crescent Beach

Crescent Beach offers the same lush, white sands, azure waters, and stunning sunsets, but it is relatively secluded and quiet, as it has only one public access road. Located just south of Siesta Beach, the beach scene here tends to be more peaceful and private.

At the southern tip of this beach is the Point of Rocks - a lovely snorkeling and diving area that is rich with coral rock formations as well as colorful and abundant marine life. Crescent Beach visitors staying in nearby resorts, rentals and beach clubs rave (but only to their closest friends) about Siesta Key's best “non-private private” beach.

Turtle Beach

At the southern tip of Siesta Key is Turtle Beach, which provides a sportier, “family play” beach experience. The beach has picnic areas, a playground, a volleyball court and horseshoe pit. There's also a boat launch, and fishing is permitted in the adjacent Blind Pass Lagoon. There are restaurants nearby, with shopping and a few local night spots just a short drive away.

Turtle Beach is a narrow beach, with a somewhat steeper incline. The sand on the beach tends to carry more shells, making it perfect for beach combers and shell collectors. Many find petrified sharks' teeth to take home and treasure, especially after a storm.