It is no secret that Siesta Key has some of the top-ranked beaches in the world…the combination of breathtaking views, family friendly activities, and top-tier accessibility provides the perfect hotspot for any vacation. Siesta Key has three beach areas and two villages spread across its 8 mile span, each holding stunning views and features that make each of them unique.
Siesta Beach
The Most Popular & Family Friendly
TripAdvisor’s 2024 Traveler’s Choice Awards™ ranked Siesta Beach as the No. 2 beach in the U.S. and No. 9 best beach in the world due to the 99% white quartz sand and crystal blue waters. The sand on this beach feels powdery and smooth. Remarkably, the sand stays cool since the crystals disperse heat easily, so you can rest easy knowing that your children can play freely without overheating. The water is shallow near the shoreline, perfect for lounging and playing with your kids!
Siesta Beach has nine different beach access points and a large public parking lot close to Access Point 11. There are four lifeguard stands stationed year-round and clean, public restrooms available.
In case you forget to pack snacks in advance, or want to treat your little one, there are two concession stands on Siesta Beach called the Sun Deck and Sand Pavilion. Both serve beverages and food from 9-5 PM daily. The Sun Deck offers the perfect beach food from crisp, fresh salads, fries and nachos, tacos, burgers and hot dogs, and rice bowls! The Sand Pavilion offers sandwiches, wraps, salads, tenders, and fish & chips. Both locations offer a variety of beers, frozen daiquiris, margaritas, and pina coladas for alcoholic beverages. They also serve many non-alchoholic beverages like frozen lemonade, soda, and water.
Since the sand stays cool under the Florida sun, there are several outdoor activities suitable for all ages, including: tennis courts, volleyball courts, a shaded playground, & picnic & barbeque areas. Siesta Village is a mere 3-minute walk away from this beach, which offers a wide-range of dining and entertainment options from gourmet donuts, coffee, and seafood to award-winning steakhouses.
Siesta Beach is barely 100 feet from several Siesta Key Dreams rental properties. Navigate our rental options today to secure a cozy location that offers direct access to the beach’s main access point.
Crescent Beach
Quiet & Perfect for Snorkeling or Diving
Crescent Beach offers the same lush, white sands and azure waters with a more private feel due to its location just south of Siesta Beach. With only two public access points, this beach is less populated and perfect for couples looking to enjoy the views & sunsets that Siesta Key offers.
At the southern tip of this beach, you’ll find Point of Rocks, which is a stunning snorkeling and diving area that is full of coral rock formations and abundant with marine life! The waters are very clear and calm, which makes for a perfect snorkeling environment in comparison to the main public beaches. Point of Rocks is abundant with marine life, meaning you can get up close to tropical fish, various crustaceans, crabs, red sponges, and shells of all kinds.
During summer months, you may even see dolphins and manatees. Visibility in this water ranges up to 20 feet or so, but closer to the rock it is about 6 feet. Snorkeling in the early morning is the best time to have clear, calm waters and see all the marine life that comes out.
While parking is more limited at this beach, the Siesta Breeze Trolly does make a stop at the cross of Midnight Pass Road & Seaside Drive. Near Access Point #13, South Village offers restaurants, beach rentals, and marina access.
Turtle Beach
Sporty & Less Crowded
At the south end of Siesta Key, Turtle Beach is more narrow and has darker sand filled with beautiful shells. Turtle Beach does have different sand than Siesta Beach, but the benefit here is that you and your family will be well-occupied hunting for some of the most beautiful shells from the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll find shells all over this beach, even if you are stationed in one area for the day to enjoy the water. Dedicated shell hunters will be spotted sifting around the beach, leaving with their top picks by the end of the day.
As the name suggests, this beach hosts a record number of sea turtles who migrate and nest on the shores! From about May to October you may see some sea turtles basking in the sun. Plenty of smaller shorebirds and fish hide out at Turtle Beach as well.
There is a free, public parking lot that can hold 200+ cars and has enough space for boat trailers as well! A boat launch and fishing is permitted in Blind Pass Lagoon, which is adjacent to the beach.
There are several restaurants in the area if you’re looking for a bite to eat while at the beach. This area is perfect for paddle boarding and other water activities. One example is Turtle’s Restaurant offers casual waterfront dining on south Siesta Key. Originating since 1986, six Siesta Key locals created Turtle’s Restaurant to provide top-tier service with a fantastic view of Sarasota Bay. Marketed as “fun, fresh, and affordable”, Turtle’s has an All Day menu, Cocktail menu, and a Sunday Brunch menu (offered from 10 AM – 1 PM) to view.
The outdoor patio dining is the best view of the water and the staff provides excellent service with reasonable prices for all food and beverages. From soups, sandwiches, seafood platters, pastas & bowls, large salads, and desserts, Turtle’s has something for everyone!
Similar to Siesta Beach, Turtle Beach offers picnic areas, a playground, volleyball court, and even a horseshoe pit!
