Siesta Key's Beaches

By Dawn Henthorn

Florida Travel Expert, about.com

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Award-winning beaches, miles of waterways and great fishing has helped to make Siesta Key a popular destination among tourists and Floridians. While a popular vacation spot for Europeans during the high season, Florida's residents get away to Siesta Key the rest of the year. However, as word of Siesta Key's popularity spreads, so does the traffic jams. If you can overlook the inconvenience of a little traffic, you can't find more beautiful sunsets!

The Beaches:

Sarasota has a reputation for great beaches, and Siesta Key has some of the best — Turtle Beach, Crescent Beach and Siesta Key Public Beach.

Turtle Beach:

Located on the south end of Siesta Key, the sand on Turtle Beach is a bit courser, browner and shellier here than on the north end of the Key. That's why the turtles choose to nest on this beach; and, that's likely how the beach got its name.

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Less crowded than Siesta Beach to the north, Turtle Beach offers plenty of free parking.

A short half-mile walk south offers access to Palmer Point Beach on Casey Key.

Crescent Beach:

Don't let the limited access keep you from enjoying this curved, crescent-shaped beach. The two-and-a-half mile stretch of sand is located in the middle of Siesta Key. While there are two access points — Point of Rocks, at the west end of Point of Rocks Road and Stickney Point; and, at the west end of Stickney Point Road — parking is limited to just a few roadside spaces.

Siesta Key Beach:

Siesta Key Public Beach is just three-quarter of a mile long, but it has the best sand, surf and facilities, including lifeguards. It is located on the north end of Siesta Key at the south end of Beach Road. It also offers benches, a volleyball net and even some green space.

Location:

Siesta Key is located off the coast of Sarasota. It can be accessed at two different points — Highway 72 in the middle of Siesta Key or State Route 758 at the northern end.

Parking:

Free parking lots are available at Turtle Beach and Siesta Key Beach. Free limited parking for Crescent Beach is located at the west end of Point of Rocks and Stickney Point Roads. Free limited street parking is available at the north Siesta Key accesses — numbered 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Hours:

All beaches area accessible from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.

Facilities:

There are no facilities at Crescent Beach. Only Siesta Key Beach has lifeguards and concessions. Both Turtle Beach and Siesta Key Beach have restrooms, picnic tables and showers.