Siesta Key Florida: Travel Guide and Vacation Rental Accommodations

Siesta Key Florida

Siesta Key is a beautiful barrier island eight miles long just offshore of Sarasota. Siesta Key has 3 amazing white sand beaches to enjoy -  Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, and Turtle Beach (north to south). Voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world for several years straight and continuing to grow in popularity. This "sleepy" beach town is a true R and R - from the beach to the town, from the sand to the walkways (pedestrian friendly cross walks), from the acoustic music playing from several restaurants to the beach bicycles, and from sun kissed skin to the salty air.

Siesta Key is not only one of the best beaches but one of the best destinations in the world. The quartz sands is generated from the quart rich sea floor will waves pulverizing it over and over again and thereby turning it to a fine white powder.  This fine white powder makes the beaches have a cool powdery feeling which is very refreshing against the warm florida sun. Truly a unique vacation spot and a unique place in the entire wolrd. Enjoy the mornings shelling the beach, afternoons with a village stroll or the evening night life island style - Siesta Key has something for every traveler.

A place where beaches are blessed with dazzling white sand and calm waters, Siesta Key, Florida, is undoubtedly a perfect place for a momentary escape. With its noiseless environment than any other place in Florida, tourists can fully unwind while enjoying their stay in Siesta Key. Although beaches are typical in Florida, there is no other beach like Siesta Key Beach, a free public beach in Siesta that is rated as one of the best..

Apart from beaches, tourists should never miss discovering the many treasures in Siesta Key, Florida. From attractions to cuisines that can only be found in Siesta Key, tourists will surely leave with no regrets. In addition, sunsets do look good in Siesta’s location. Hence, it is hard not to get excited about the Siesta Key getaway. But before packing things up, let’s look through this travel guide when visiting Siesta Key, Florida.

 

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Book Direct and Save with a Siesta Key Vacation Rental Management Company

 

 

Things To Do in Siesta Key, Florida

Head to the Beach

There are three main beaches in Siesta Key namely Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, and Turtle Beach.

Siesta Beach sometimes known as Siesta Key Beach has been named #1 beach in the United States and #11 in the world by the 2020 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice. It is a favorite among Sarasota, Florida locals and residents. The beach has a long shoreline that it would take you five minutes or more to reach the water from the parking lot. It is perfect for activities like beach volleyball.

Unlike other beaches, the sand on Siesta Beach are not made of pulverized coral but is made of 99% quartz making it very fine and powdery. It is reflective and feels cool underfoot. Because the sand is made of quartz, you can walk barefoot on the sand even on the hottest days and it will not burn your feet. Siesta Beach is so popular that it can get crowded especially on weekends. If you want a more secluded and less crowded beach, Crescent Beach is perfect for you.

Crescent Beach is on the southern part of Siesta Key but is more secluded. It is among the magnificent beaches in Siesta Key. You can enjoy the same powdery fine sand like the Siesta Beach but on a less crowded and more secluded space. This beach is ideal for family-friendly destinations and for people who do not like too many crowds.

This beach is technically private so there are no official public access points but there are parking spaces that are a short walk away. Also, there are no public services like showers and restrooms making it cleander and less busy.

Crescent beach is a prime destination for various outdoor sports and is ideal for catching rays, playing and building sandcastles. The ocean is typically calm making it great for all ages and different levels of swimmers.

Turtle Beach is another less crowded beach in Siesta Key and is nestled on the southern part of Siesta Key. It gives you a more relaxing experience because less people are visiting this area. It is named for its sea turtle nesting habitat. Unlike Siesta Beach with long shoreline, it would only take you a short walk to reach the water of Turtle Beach. Also, the sand on Turtle Beach is not as powdery as that of the Siesta Beach. Nonetheless, Turtle Beach is still a beautiful beach to spend your time and to watch the amazing sunset.

There is a boat ramp if you want to go sailing or kayaking. It also has a park with a pavilion, benches, picnic areas, showers, and restrooms. You can also pitch a tent and stay the night at Turtle Beach Campground.

 

View the Sandcastles at the International Siesta Key Sand Scuplting Festival

Every year, Siesta Key held the International Sand Sculpting Festival where they bring professional sand sculpture to showcase their talent and masterpiece. This is a must go event for sand sculpture and for those who enjoy and admire sandcastles. This year’s schedule is on November 10-13, 2023.

 

Listen and Dance with the Siesta Key Drum Circle

Spend your Sunday evening listening to the drummers in a festival-like atmosphere at one of the largest drum circles in the nation, the Siesta Key Drum Circle. Every Sunday evening on Siesta Key Beach, this popular tradition attracts big crowds for drumming and dancing. You may see some drum circle regulars to perform with swords and fire and you may see some belly dancers.

 

Shop on Siesta Key Village

If you want to go on shopping for locally made products or try some delicious food, visit the Siesta Key Village. It is a go to place for dining, shopping and partying. You can find local markets, boutiques, and art galleries here. During the night, the locals and tourists come together to enjoy live entertainment and make the village even more vibrant. 

The Siesta Farmers Market is an amazing way to live and spend your Sunday morning. You can buy crafts, artwork, fruits, vegetables, and baked goods at this local market. Also, try the delectable rum made by the oldest distillery in Florida, St. Augustine Distillery.

 

Dive and Snorkel at Point of Rocks

Regarded as a “Snorkeler’s Paradise,” Point of Rocks is a go to for your snorkeling and diving adventure. What makes Point of Rocks special? This beach has a unique series of rock formations created from grindstone, limestone. molluscan and quartz.

You should expect to see almost all sort of marine wildlife during your snorkel excursion. These include schools of fish of varying shapes, sizes and colors, sponges, a myriad of algae, collection of seashells , starfish, and maybe even dolphin.

According to the local legend, Point of Rocks was used by pirates in the past to hide their stolen treasures from ships and other vessels. The hole at the bottom was an ideal place to hide their loot. It is believed that this hole still exist today. If you want to go diving or snorkeling, you may want to prove if this legend is true.

 

Watch the Sunset at Sunset Point

There is no better way to meditate on life than watching a fantastic sunset. You can do it alone or with your family, friends, or lovers at Sunset Point, a favorite tourist attraction in Siesta Key. This spot is perfect for your picnics and casual gatherings. 

Swimming at Sunset Point is allowed during the daytime, but always watch out for your safety because there are no lifeguards posted in the area.

 

Eat at Siesta Key Oyster Bar

Siesta Key Oyster Bar is the place to pig out on oyster delicacies. From 3 pm to 6 pm every day, the bar offers half the price for every dozen oysters. If you are allergic to seafood, there are other choices on its menu, such as burgers and chicken wings.

 

Feel the Thrill at Siesta Key Watersports

Experience the thrill and fun of water activities in Siesta Key. You can explore the majestic waters by parasailing or riding a jet ski. There are also sunset cruises and dolphin tours in the area offered by Siesta Key Watersports.

 

Hop on the Free Siesta Key Breeze Trolley

It is possible to explore Siesta Key in a day by taking the famous Breeze Trolley. The trolley runs until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and from 10 in the morning to 10 in the evening on other days. 

The tours start at Siesta Key Village and end at Turtle Beach. The Breeze Trolley travels along Beach Road and Midnight Pass Road. The good thing about this public transportation is that it is free. 

 

 

How To Reach Siesta Key

Since most tourists prefer air transportation to reach Siesta Key, they can choose among the three main airports near the destination. Thirty minutes away from south of Siesta Key, tourists can land at Venice Beach Municipal Airport. Although only private planes and charters use the airport, tourists can find a local provider through their preferred travel flight directory. Alternatively, tourists can get to Siesta Key through Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in Sarasota, which also takes a 30-minute drive. 

If flight schedules are tight in these airports, tourists can take a flight from Tampa International Airport instead. It is best for flexible flight schedules since this airport is a huge one. However, reaching Siesta Key would take about an hour and a half. Most of the time, many people flock to Florida during the summer season. Hence, it is best to visit Siesta Key before the peak summer season or after spring break to avoid tight flight schedules and crowds.  

 

Best Places To Stay 

When finding a place to stay, tourists can find numerous condominiums and vacation rental properties near the best views around Siesta Key. For first-timers, it is ideal to stay near the Siesta Key Village, where beaches, restaurants, bars, and shops are more accessible. Typically, the prices for vacation rental accommodations ranges but it can vary depending on the season as the number of tourists visiting Siesta Key fluctuates. 

For best prices, visiting in the offseason is better, however, regardless of the season contact a vacation rental management company to book direct and save. Thus, make sure to have all the plans prepared before arriving in Siesta Key because finding a place to stay here is a real challenge. Here are also some additional properties to stay at are Siesta Key Palms Hotel, Hibiscus Suites Inn, and Best Western Siesta Key. 

 

Finding The Best Food

Good food can always be found anywhere in Siesta Key. What is more good though is that most restaurants are just near enough from rental houses. Hence, tourists can never empty their stomachs with delicious food. Seafood lovers will surely enjoy the fresh and tasty seafood of some popular restaurants in the place, such as Siesta Key Oyster Bar, Lobster Pot, Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar, and Captain Curt’s Crab and Oyster Bar. 

For high-end dining with a scenic beach view, try the most famous Ophelia’s on the bay located in the south. In addition, most people love to hang out in Gilligan’s Island Bar and Grill. With good food and an outdoor environment, this place is also worth trying. To sum up, Siesta Key has everything, whether tourists prefer a simple snack or luxurious dining experience. 

 

In Conclusion

Beaches always make it to the top attractions in Siesta Key, Florida. Hence, it is impossible to miss this one. For good beach options, there’s Siesta Key Beach, Turtle Beach, and Crescent Beach. Tourists will appreciate nature more when they witness the beautiful sunset at Sunset Point. 

Hence, it is better to put the camera always at hand to capture the stunning sights around Siesta Key. After soaking at the beach, tourists can try kayaking under the mangroves or yoga classes for a new experience. While Siesta Key is all fun and plays in the daytime, it also has a reputable nightlife. Besides, tourists can find a few places for live bands at night to enjoy, such as Daiquiri Deck, The Hub Baja Grill, and The Beach Club Siesta Key.  

Siesta Key was first colonized in 1846. Population of the island had only grown to 300 by 1940 when it was primarily made up of fishing camps. Siesta Key is a barrier island off the central western coast of Florida.  It is situated between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico with a portion of it located within the city boundary of Sarasota.

Siesta Key visitors should not be surprised when welcomed by 4-5' Florida Sand Cranes as foot is set on the fantastic white sand! This is just one of the things for which Siesta Key is famous! For the convenience and enjoyment of their beach travelers, Siesta Key provides a trolley for transportation from the southern most tip of the island to the north.

For boaters, Siesta Key is charmed with a must-see scenic trail for exploring the mangrove forests that run along the island. Siesta South and  Siesta Key Villiage, both, offer visitors the best of shopping in the area and the best in casual dockside dining in its waterfront pubs and restaurants. Golf enthusiasts come from all over the country to experience the various challenges of over 100 courses within driving distance of the Key. Siesta Key is an ideal vacation location- with Sarasota being the city close by- offering great museums and fine arts, right along side of the the relaxed atmosphere of a beach environment.

Siesta Key, Florida, is a perfect destination for a peaceful getaway with friends and family. Thus, if anyone loves the beach most, Siesta Key will surely give a good experience. The Gulf Coast of South Florida is a paradise on Earth, and Siesta Key is proof of that statement. Beach lovers will have a great time if they spend a vacation in this town. Make sure to include Siesta Key on your travel bucket list to experience Nature, fun, excitement, and wondrous things. Hence, as we are done going through this Siesta Key travel guide, it’s now time to get everything ready and enjoy this exciting escape.

Map of Siesta Key Florida

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