SARASOTA, Fla.—If Florida is known for its beaches, Sarasota tops the list in terms of beauty, amenities and fun. Six barrier islands hug the Sarasota coastline, beginning with Longboat Key just south of the Bradenton mainland and ending with Manasota Key just south of Venice. Each island's sparkling white-powder beaches and enticing features reveal a unique personality that share Sarasota's collective soul.

LONGBOAT KEY: SECLUDED LUXURY
Longboat Key is the northernmost and longest island along Sarasota's coast, and the only one with no direct access from the mainland, which allows it to maintain its somewhat secluded existence. Accessible only by Lido Key to the south, the 12 miles comprising Longboat Key make it the perfect location for luxury destinations such as the Longboat Key Club and Resort, which provides visitors with a host of upscale amenities such as golf and tennis in addition to its endless stretches of private beach for sunbathing, paddling or volleyball. For creative types, The Longboat Key Center for the Arts provides opportunities for self-expression, with classes, lectures and concerts offered throughout the year.

LIDO KEY: HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Lido Key is nestled between Longboat Key to the north and Siesta Key to the south and boasts three beaches: North Lido, Lido Beach and South Lido. The key received its name when John Ringling, a fan of Italian culture, officially referred to its beaches by using the Italian word, “lido,” which means “beach.”
Although a public beach, North Lido gives the impression of a secluded hideaway, with 3,000 feet of sugary sand and a nature trail for guests to wander along in relative privacy.

In 1940 the grand opening of the Lido Beach Casino welcomed the public to the shores of Lido Beach proper. Although the casino has since faded into history, Lido Beach continues to bustle with the quaint energy its gift shop, concession stand and heated swimming pool provide.

South Lido Beach Park mingles four significant bodies of water: the Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass, Sarasota Bay and Brushy Bayou, each providing guests with breathtaking views from the beach, an offshore kayak or the top deck of the park's observation tower. Two nature trails, a self-guided canoe trail, a multi-purpose field and a volleyball court top off South Lido's amenities.

No discussion of Lido Key would be complete without mentioning St. Armands Circle, a mecca for foodies and shopaholics alike. The circle's high end clothing boutiques, jewelry and gift shops, fine dining and sidewalk cafés have made St. Armands a world-renowned destination in its own right.

SIESTA KEY: LAID-BACK LIVING
This sleepy eight-mile island, accessible by two bridges from the mainland, exudes Jimmy Buffet attitude. Although its amenities are upscale, its dress code is not. Sandals are expected in any one of the restaurants and boutiques that populate the island—especially those of Siesta Key Village. Quaint groceries like Crescent Beach Grocery are available for those renting accommodations with kitchens, and there are plenty of places to rent recreational equipment for under-the-sun fun such as Siesta Key Bike & Kayak, Siesta Key Parasail & Jetski, or Siesta Key Watersports.

In 2011, Dr. Beach named Siesta Beach No. 1 in the nation for its spectacular sugary white sand, one of the few composed almost entirely of crushed quartz crystal rather than coral. Its unique composition not only makes this sand sparkle under the Florida sun, but keeps it remarkably cool to the touch. These perfect conditions make Siesta Beach a natural for world class sand sculpting competitions.

In addition to its award-winning beach, Siesta Key sports two others: Turtle Beach, with courser sand perfect for shelling and sandcastle fun; and Crescent Beach, a quiet, secluded stretch of beach that begs a romantic sunset stroll.

CASEY KEY: SURFERS' PARADISE
Casey Key's jetties create the perfect storm for surfers and anglers alike. Surfers find ample waves between June and November when storm season is at its peak, and fishermen find the waters full of Snook in March and April, and tarpon from May through September.

When the Gulf starts to churn, North Jetty Park is where the surfers point their boards. This 18-acre park also hosts a bait shop, concession stand, and volleyball and horseshoe courts along with plenty of picnic areas. Lifeguards are on duty year round.
Nokomis Beach is Sarasota's oldest public beach, and is picture-perfect for a family picnic. Dune walkovers and picnic shelters dot the shoreline, along with concessions and a pavilion.
Casey Key also is known for its tight concentration of multi-million-dollar homes—one of which shelters best-selling author Stephen King.

VENICE BEACHES: SHELL HUNTER'S DREAM
Although technically not a key, Venice Beach makes a jaw-dropping statement: It contains the largest collection of fossilized shark's teeth in the world. Here visitors can fill buckets with shark's teeth in shades of black, brown and gray—some dating back millions of years. Although sharks are no longer found along Venice's shores, the remains of those who once did are buried beneath the sandy shelf, where the water carries the cartilage to shore each season.

For those who prefer to venture beneath the water, a stunning coral reef is located about a quarter mile from Venice Beach, perfect for snorkeling and diving.

Not far away is Caspersen Beach. With two-thirds of its beachfront still in its natural state, Caspersen is the ideal beach for shelling and nature strolls along rolling dunes, marshlands and tidal flats. A spectacular trail provides an up-close glimpse of a coastal hammock.

Dog lovers find Brohard Paw Park's stretch of beach a canine paradise complete with doggie drinking fountains, fire hydrants, leash posts and showers to rinse the saltwater sand from shaggy four-footed friends.

MANASOTA KEY: QUIET OLD FLORIDA
With no traffic lights or high rises, Manasota is a quiet island of family-friendly condos and apartments at its southern end, and private homes tucked behind tropical landscaping on its north.
Manasota Key boasts four beaches: Manasota, Blind Pass, Englewood and Stump Pass. Manasota Beach is a quiet mix of sand dunes and mangroves, while Englewood Beach is a lively beach filled with grills, picnic tables and pavilions for cooking and eating, as well as basketball hoops, volleyball nets, playgrounds and horseshoe pits for family fun.

Stump Pass Beach is a state park with a hiking trail that passes through five ecosystems. Blind Pass Beach's smaller area sports a canoe launch, nature trails and a picnic shelter.

Whatever the mood calls for—be it a romantic sunset stroll on a secluded beach, a round of golf amid a salty sea breeze or a cold beer on a lively deck filled with friends and music, the breathtaking beaches of Sarasota offer just about anything to soothe the yearning soul.

For more information on discovering Sarasota and Her Islands, call the Visit Sarasota County at 800-522-9799 or visit www.visitsarasota.org, as well as www.discovernaturalsarasota.com .

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CONTACT:
LYNN HOBECK BATES
VISIT SARASOTA COUNTY
941.955.0991 EXT. 103
LHOBECK@VISITSARASOTA.ORG