Lido Beach

Located on Lido Key in Sarasota, just a few minutes’ walk from St. Armands Circle, sits one of the true beach-bathing gems on the west coast of Florida. Lido beach is approximately 2.5 miles long, stretching from New Pass in the north to Big Pass in the south. It offers three distinct beach-going experiences.

Lido Key’s main beach is at Coolidge Park along Ben Franklin Drive. Experience gorgeous views of the Gulf of Mexico from the sand dunes along the drive. Recently re-nourished, Lido Beach has yards of soft white sand with excellent shelling. A pavilion houses a restaurant, ice cream shop, beach shop, restrooms and a public freshwater swimming pool. With ample parking, refreshments, lifeguards on duty and calm, warm water, LidoBeach at Coolidge Park is a great choice for a day of sunning, swimming and snorkeling.

Just a short walk north of the main beach is a less developed area locals call North Lido Beach. Parking is limited, but the location is excellent for bird watching and beach combing.  In the summer months, large sections of this area are roped off to allow nesting for terns, sand pipers, skimmers and other migrating sea birds.

At the southern tip of Lido Key is South Lido Park, a 100-acre wildlife preserve along Big Pass with 640 feet of undeveloped gulf front beach. Tall shade trees, cool breezes and ample picnic tables make this an excellent destination to spend the day grilling, swimming and fishing. The Gulf side waters are calm for swimming. Sea grass beds team with life in the deeper water at the north end, which is excellent for fishing. If you like to kayak, a self-guided canoe tour will take you through the mangrove swamp or for a paddle around St. Armands Circle. Two nature trails are great for taking the family on a short adventure. You never know what you will see here, dolphins, manatees, ospreys, wading birds and raccoons are all common visitors to South Lido Park. 

Longboat Key

The white sandy beaches of Longboat Key stretch for 11 miles along the Florida’s west coast. The trip along Longboat Key’s Gulf of Mexico Drive is one of the most beautiful beach roads in Florida. Tall palms and flowering tropical plants line well-groomed streets that lead to world-class restaurants and resorts, elegant condominiums and spectacular houses.

Longboat’s hotels, resorts and beach houses maintain their own beaches. But not all Longboat’s beach areas are private, visitors are welcome, too. Heading north, one of the most popular public spots is Whitney Beach. Fringed with sea oats, its open shoreline and uninterrupted view of the Gulf invite beach-goers to take a long walk. After a day of sunbathing and swimming at Whitney Beach, be sure to take in a sunset. The view is awesome here!

More adventurous beach-goers might want to visit Beer Can Island, also known as Greer Island. Located at Longboat’s northern tip, this peninsula has 2,000 feet of primitive, sandy beach accessible by shallow draft boat. Visitors may walk to the island at low tide, but must remember to walk back to the mainland before sea waters rush in on the returning high tide.

For other public entries, look for blue and white “Beach Access” signs, or ask locals to direct you to Neptune Avenue Beach or Mayfield Street Beach. These are areas off the beaten path where visitors can discover their own piece of beachfront paradise. From manicured to secluded, there’s a beach for everyone on Longboat Key.

Beaches Nearby
To the north

Continuing north, cross the bridge over Longboat Pass onto Anna Maria Island. Just over the bridge is Coquina Beach, named for the quantities of coquina shells found there. In addition to white sand on the Gulf side are tall Australian pines to provide shade for visitors enjoying picnics and barbecues. On the Bay side across the street from the beach a boat launch is available.

Keep going north to find Bradenton Beach. On the Bay side is the historic fishing village of Cortez.  Further north on Anna Maria Island are Manatee Public Beach and Holmes Beach, a family-friendly beach with parking, concessions, restrooms and showers, and a playground for kids. To the east on Manatee Avenue is Palma Sola Causeway, a popular spot for boating and jet skis, and one of the few beaches where pets are allowed. At the northern end of Anna Maria Island are the dunes that lead to Anna Maria Beach, another good place to stroll.

To the South

South of Lido Key is Siesta Key, but you’ll have to head east across the Ringling Causeway and then south on Tamiami Trail to get there. Mid-key is Siesta Public Beach, world-famous for its pure white quartz sand, continually top-ranked among America’s annual best beach surveys. The public beach offers free parking, restrooms and concessions, volleyball and tennis courts, a shaded picnic area and playground. The shallow, calm waters are monitored by lifeguards. At the south end of Siesta Key is Turtle Beach, a 14-acre park with picnic area, restrooms, parking and a popular public boat launching area that provides access to Little Sarasota Bay.