Siesta Key

Siesta Key is a barrier island in Southwest Florida, and has one of the most beautiful beaches in North America and possibly the world. The beach is a fine white powder that is never too hot to enjoy a walk. Calm Gulf waters are typically warmer than the Atlantic coast. It is a short distance west of Sarasota.

Get in

By car

The northern entrance is Siesta Dr, which connects from US-41 on the mainland (Sarasota). At the junction with Higel Ave, take a left. When Higel Ave intersects with Midnight Pass Rd, a left turn bypasses the downtown, while a right turn from Higel Ave onto Ocean Blvd a block later goes to the downtown.

The "southern," or eastern entrance to the park is via Stickney Point Rd (FL-72). This road intersects US-41 on the south side of Sarasota.

There is no road to Siesta Key from Ben Franklin Rd; to go to Longboat Key, it is necessary to drive a route via the mainland. There is also no highway connecting to Siesta Key from the south (Palmer Point Park).

See

There are a number of public beach access locations including 1 Avenida Messina (#2), 2 Columbus Blvd (#3), 3 Avenida Navarra (#4), 4 Ocean Blvd (#5) 5 Calle de Siesta (#7), and 6 Plaza Des Las Palmas (#'s 8 and 9).

• 7 Siesta Beach, Beach Rd (west of the junction of Beach Rd and Midnight Pass Rd). Rated the best beach in the U.S. in 2017 and 2020. (updated Aug 2021)
• 8 Crescent Beach (southeast of Siesta Beach). (updated Aug 2021)

Do

The best beaches in Florida! You must stick your toes in the sand to truly get the full benefit of this beach! It's like walking on a beach full of talcum powder, completely cool to the touch. It's a great time for families of all ages!

• 1 Turtle Beach Park, 8918 Midnight Pass Rd (junction of Midnight Pass Rd and Turtle Beach Rd). 6AM–midnight. Beaches and kayaking activities. Search the shoreline for cool seashells and shark teeth! (updated Aug 2021)

Eat

• 1 Gilligan's Island Bar, 5253 Ocean Blvd (+1 941 346-8122), scott@gilligansislandbar.com. (updated Aug 2021)
• 2 Siesta Key Oyster Bar, 5238 Ocean Blvd, ☏ +1 941 346-5443, kristin@skob.com. (updated Aug 2021)
• 3 The Hub Baja Grill, 5148 Ocean Blvd (intersection with Columbus Blvd/Canal Rd), ☏ +1 941 349-6800, thehubonsiesta@gmail.com. (updated Aug 2021)

Sleep

• The Casa Blanca, 6154 Midnight Pass Road, ☏ +1 941-349-5101. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. 100 - 200. 
• 1 Hyatt Siesta Key Beach, 915 Seaside Dr, ☏ +1 941 346-5900. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 10AM. Units range from 1,800 to 2,765 square feet and feature 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, full kitchen and an optional study/den. The building also has a pool, hot tub and private access to Siesta Key Beach. 
• 2 Turtle Beach Resort and Inn, 9049 Midnight Pass Rd, ☏ +1 941-349-4554, info@turtlebeachresort.com. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 11AM. Turtle Beach Resort offers 2 properties, both waterfront: The Resort sits on Sarasota Bay and The Inn sits on the lagoon overlooking Turtle Beach that boasts the best sunsets on the island. Each cottage has a private patio with private hot tub, hammock, and kitchenettes. Guests have access to kayaks, canoes, bicycles, fishing gear, 2 heated pools and guest laundry. There are 3 restaurants in walking distance from the hotel and they are pet and boater friendly with easy access docks located at mile marker #48 on the intracoastal waterway. 

Go next

• Sarasota is the main regional city; it is east of Siesta Key, across the inland waterway.
• To the north of Sarasota the next major municipality is Bradenton.