Siesta Key Overview

SIESTA KEY
Video compliments of the Travel Channel
Overview
True to its name, Siesta Key is the kind of place to drop all your worries and just flop down on a hammock for a nap—that is, if you can find any peace and quiet during the high season, January to April. But unlike the latter half of its title, it is NOT part of the string of Florida Keys that begin at Everglades National Park and end 60 miles off the coast of Cuba. Siesta Key is a tiny barrier island located in Sarasota Bay, about 45 miles south of Tampa/St. Pete.
 

© Lido Beach Resort
Just 2.3 square miles in size, but indelibly linked to nearby Sarasota, there's plenty to do here—provided hitting the beach is at the top of your list. Its star attraction, Siesta Public Beach, is one of those beaches that rack up awards like Olympic multi-medalist Michael Phelps. Simply put, it's big, the sunsets are killer and unlike other Florida beaches, its sand is 99 percent quartz (think softer than a baby's bum). Nearby Crescent Beach is more secluded, while family-friendly Turtle Beach is all about fun, with its volleyball courts, playgrounds and picnic areas.
 

© VISIT FLORIDA
But there's more to Siesta than slathering on the suntan lotion and waiting for the Florida sun to do its thing. Siesta Key Village, at the island's north end, is a likeable enough place to while away an afternoon figuring out which "I love Florida" key chain would make the best souvenir—and after the sun goes down, it's pretty much the place to be. But more importantly, it's the best place to gather information for a plethora of aquatic activities on offer such as jet skiing, parasailing, fishing, dolphin watching and sailing. Welcome to paradise.
Featured Videos
Siesta Key Sand Sculptures
This Travel Channel video takes a look at the many uses of Siesta Key Beach's sands, from sculpting to sleeping.
Previous
 
 
Next