|
 Siesta
Beach is located on Beach Road on Siesta Key. Siesta Beach is known as
one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere in the world. It is
recognized as having the whitest and finest sand in the world.
Unlike beaches elsewhere that are made up mostly of coral, Siesta
Beach's sand is 99% quartz. Even on the hottest days, the sand is so
reflective that it feels cool underfoot. It's estimated that the sand on
Siesta Beach is millions of years old, and started in the Appalachians
and flowed down the rivers and was eventually deposited on the shores of
Siesta Key.
Shallow water depth in the near shore area together with year round
lifeguard protection, makes this one of the safest beaches in the
County. Although there are 800 parking spaces, you better get there
early if you want one. If you're staying on Siesta Key, there are plenty
of public access points to the beach so it's a short walk from most of
the north end of the key.
- The beach's
amenities include:
- rest rooms
- picnic tables
- tennis courts
- ball fields
- volleyball courts
(on the beach)
- soccer field
- 20 station fitness
trail
- playground equipment
 Lifeguards
are on duty year round. The lifeguard stands have been painted in
primary colors to make it easier to keep track of where you and your
children are. The stands are now, yellow, blue, green and red.
Hopefully, it will cut down on problems of lost children.
For information on renting picnic shelters call
941-316-1172 .
Turtle Beach
Turtle
Beach is located on Midnight Pass Road near the south end of Siesta Key.
It features a large picnic shelter and is very popular for family
outings.
In the center of the park is Blind Pass Lagoon which connects to Little
Sarasota Bay. Free boat ramps allow easy access to and from the Bay.
Although the sand at Turtle Beach isn't as fine as it is farther up the
key, it makes up the difference in privacy. Here you'll be able to walk
for miles down the beach. Since the closing of Midnight Pass, you can
walk all the way down Casey Key.
Look carefully in the
sand, and you'll find prehistoric petrified sharks teeth that are
millions of years old.
 Although
the teeth you'll find on Turtle Beach won't be as nice as what you can
find on Venice Beach just a little way south, the example here, shows
that a little searching can turn up a nice sample.
- The beach's amenities
include:
- rest rooms
- a building for meetings
- boat ramps
- large group picnic shelters
- small picnic shelters
- horseshoe courts
- volleyball court
- playground equipment
- dune walkovers
There are no
lifeguards on duty. For shelter rental information call
941-316-1172.
Palmer Point
Palmer Point Beach begins at the southern tip of Siesta Key and
continues onto the north end of Casey Key. The northern part of the
beach was the former home of Mote Marine Laboratory. Since the closing
of Midnight Pass in 1984, the beach allows uninterrupted walking all the
way down Casey Key. The beach is a popular spot for boaters and people
who walk there from Turtle Beach seeking some privacy.
There are no lifeguards and no facilities.
At beaches where
lifeguards are on duty you'll find information on water conditions and
temperatures.
Be sure to pay attention to the flags flying and their color:
|
|
Good swimming conditions.
Green |
| |
Use caution
Yellow |
| |
Dangerous swimming conditions
Red |
| |
Hazardous Marine Life
Blue |
|
