We came to Longboat Key for vacation in June. We're lucky enough to stay at a place that has…read morebasically a private beach. The sand is soft, the water is beautiful shades of blue, and there always seems to be a breeze, which is nice. We got to see a lot of different types of birds each morning, manatees, dolphins, and the occasional shark. Shelling on this beach can be hit or miss. If there winds up being a storm out at sea, you may be lucky enough to find various conch shells!

The beaches of Longboat Key are absolutely stunning. We had a wonderful sunset picnic and it was…read moresome of our best memories in the Sarasota area.

This is one of the most beautiful, publicly maintained beach I have ever been to!…read more Here is what to expect: - Free and abundant parking - Clean bathrooms - Picnic tables, grills - Playground And the main star of the show .... the beach! The fine, white sand is made of quartz so it actually stays cools in the summer heat. If your children like hunting for seashells or building sand castles, this place can't be beat. This beach borders Longboat Key and the views going over the bridge of the undeveloped, stretches of pure white sand, and aquamarine water is breathtaking. This truly is one of my favorite places in the US to be.

First time at this beautiful beach a few miles south of Anna…read moreMaria in Bradenton. Plenty of free parking. Large soft white sand beach. Water color close to the Caribbean. Water stays shallow for quite a distance out. Does eventually get shoulder height. Several lifeguard towers open from 9-5 pm. There is a snack bar, restrooms, showers, and chair rental. Long walk on sand to water. Difficult to pull carts. Easier to carry your gear. Beach gets very crowded by snowbirds in the Winter. On the weekends in the summer beach is crowded by residents.

As of right now, there is a several million dollar federally funded Lido beach renourishment…read moreproject that started in January 2026. It's stems from trying to repair the damage from the 2024 hurricane season. Their goal is to be done by early April 2026, right before sea turtle nesting season. I can't say I knew this when I went on my visit this time. While it was a bummer not to be able to walk the beach, I am happy to see the restoration being done. I can't wait to see the outcome. While there weren't a lot of people, there were a lot of birds out to play:)

Nice Beach. Good mixed crowd, mostly family oriented, not a bunch of wild party people running…read morearound. Flanked with plenty of hotels with beachfront views. The water was warm and not that clear. I didn't think the water would be that warm, I was expecting it to be nice, cool and refreshing ... not the case. Parking is very challenging. I entered the parking lot only to find a bunch of cars circling around and waiting for spots. I circled once and exited, didn't feel like battling for spots...which apparently was a great decision. I got lucky and found some parking on the street almost immediately. Very popular spot...be prepared to encounter crowds.

I really love Long Boat Key Beach. It's Day and Night with Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island…read more It's Much Smaller, the parking lot for the access I went to is small, but it's like paradise. It's so quiet, no one is around compared to the other beach we just left a few hours before hand. I haven't really gone to this beach much. I was nervous I could never find parking. But it's a matter of just looking out for the public beach access signs and driving a little bit slower. We found one which is a small sign and ended up turning around to check it out. Parking is also free on the beaches here, so that's def a nice treat considering Clearwater and St. Pete Beaches for the most part are not. I'll def be back more often bc I loved the quietness here. It was quite beautiful. If you are looking other businesses in Longboat Key, there is not much but they do have some restaurants and cafes. They are open on Saturdays but last time I went on a Sunday, they were closed so make to check that out for yourself. We simply went to Tyler's ice cream, but ended up eating in Sarasota.

Went to Whitney Beach! Very peaceful. One thing to note: the seagulls are not afraid to rip through…read moreyour plastic bag into your chips. Other than that, parking wasn't difficult!

I saw a video on IG a few months back that stated this beach would make you feel like you were on a…read moreisland, so I had to check out Bean Point Beach. It was an hour plus drive south from my friends house in Gulfport to Anna Maria Island. Bean Point is the north point of the island. Be cautious if you park in a neighborhood as they will ticket you $75 if your car is touching the road. We find out the hard way:( We walked a few blocks and found a public beach access. When I saw the beach I couldn't believe my eyes. The water was a gorgeous color of blue/green! It was hard to belive this was Florida lol. We walked for a while and I found some pretty shells to take home from my adventure. This part of the beach wasn't too crowded which I loved. A few people were fishing and others were sitting and relaxing. While a few tourists were in the water. Brrrr it was too cold for me. I only let it hit my feet lol. I highly recommend checking out Bean Point Beach so you can see this lovely water and beach for yourself!

This was my very first time at Bean Point, and I swear it felt like I had stepped into a secret…read morepart of Florida that most people drive right past without ever knowing it exists. The moment my feet hit that soft white sand, everything around me slowed down. The air felt lighter. The water looked like it was painted in layers of turquoise and glass. Even the breeze seemed to move with intention, brushing past me in a way that made me feel completely present. I kept walking, almost in a trance, toward the point where the Gulf meets the sky, and for the first time in a long time, my mind wasn't racing. I wasn't thinking about tomorrow or yesterday. I was just there, breathing in a place that felt almost sacred. Then the sun began to set, and the entire sky transformed into something unreal. Pink, lavender, gold, and that deep blue that only shows up at the ocean's edge. Families were laughing softly in the distance, a couple was wrapped in a blanket, and I just stood there taking it all in, feeling this unexpected wave of emotion. It wasn't sadness or joy exactly. It was gratitude. Pure, uncomplicated gratitude that I got to witness a moment like that. Bean Point felt like a gift, handed to me exactly when I needed it. I cherish this place so much. I will be back again and again.

Siesta Beach Experience…read more Overview: Siesta Beach is widely recognized as the number one beach in the United States. During our visit, we found the beach area to be exceptionally clean, featuring powdery white sand that added to the overall appeal of the location. The unique sand texture and well-maintained environment contributed significantly to our enjoyable experience. Parking and Arrival Tips: We parked near the Snack Bar and Gift Shop at the northern end of Siesta Beach. Although there is a substantial amount of parking available, the spaces tend to fill up quickly, especially during peak times. It is advisable to arrive early to secure a parking spot, as finding a vacant space can become challenging later in the day. Water Quality and Shoreline Experience: The water at Siesta Beach was exceptionally clear, offering excellent visibility. Near the shore, the depth was shallow, making it easy and comfortable to relax in the low points. The waves were gentle and calm, creating an inviting environment for lounging and wading. During our stroll along the beach, we discovered several shells, adding an enjoyable element to the shoreline experience. Beach Access and Amenities: Reaching the water requires a lengthy walk across the beach. To assist visitors, mats are placed at certain locations on the beach, making the walk easier and more comfortable. The Snack Bar offers a variety of food and drinks, providing convenient options for refreshments. Adjacent to the Snack Bar is a Gift Shop, which sells a range of beach-themed items and clothing, enhancing the Siesta Beach Experience. They do have a QR code they you can order food, drinks, beach chairs and some other items to be delivered to you behind the life guard stands on the Beach in case you forget your own, kind of cool, I think. Overall Impression and Rating: Based on my experience at Siesta Beach, I confidently rate it 5 out of 5 stars. The exceptional cleanliness, powdery white sand, clear water, and convenient amenities all contributed to an outstanding visit. After seeing firsthand why Siesta Beach holds the distinction of being the number one beach in the United States, I wholeheartedly agree with its reputation. Gulf Coast Terry

Visited Siesta Key Beach this past weekend and you know it's starting to warm up in Florida when…read moreyou see the beaches completely packed and you can't find parking. We drove around for about 20 minutes, looking for parking till we finally found a couple that was leaving. No matter what time you visit it's busy but the beach itself it's definitely worth it. !! A little warning it was a bit of a walk to get to the water. This is my favorite kid friendly beach. The water doesn't dip off like Venice and You can actually walk out comfortably with children. Another pro is that there's plenty of shower areas throughout the beach line. Ps: On Sundays they have a drum circle which is always a good time to see people drumming and dancing.

This Beach is great and very nice is nice and calm waters and mostly clear water this beach should…read morebe call betiful greenish blue water beach

I've been here many times If you enjoy the the beach I…read morehighly Recommend this This is the gulf ! The water is warm & crystal Clear not dirty I enjoy walking early morning along The beach & collecting the pretty Shells that wash up !! You won't be sorry ! Free parking The sand is clear as they are always Out there cleaning mornings

We booked our stay for a week, my family really enjoys this hidden gem. It's quiet and peaceful…read more The beach is footsteps away. Only downside is the parking. If you have a larger vehicle, it tends to get really tight.

So if I factored in all the variables, I would round up to 4 stars here (not to be confused with…read morethe actual hotel star ratings). One major variable being availability on the key, which is not much. First off the price was right. Especially for being right on the beach on one of the famous Sarasota keys. And not only being on the beach but newly renovated and fully capable to handle a family get a way weekend. With a nice publix right down the street you can easily stock up your suite for a long weekend stay that doesn't break the bank with having to eat out every meal. The suite has a fully functional kitchen with oven, stove, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, full sized refrigerator and freezer, dish washer, and cupboards stocked with some essential items for cooking and eating. This is a huge benefit for people staying for a long weekend or even longer. Not many places to eat on the key, and most of them are up there in price or not much on the menu for little ones. It also is very closely located to a fully involved Publix. So either grab some groceries for the weekend, or some cold cuts from the deli, Chinese food, or any of the many offerings Publix has. You can also bring back some meat to throw on the grill provided in the common area back at the hotel. Even though the outside looks weathered (as most beach locations do), the inside was very clean and brand new renovations made it feel fresh and new. The living room had a dining room table right next to an amazing view from the huge windows. Also a couch with pull out bed, a Murphy pull down bed, and some comfy chair recliners. The outside patio had a table and 2 nice chairs to enjoy the outside. The place even came with a washer and dryer in the unit to keep those towels and swimsuits clean and dry for all the repeat usage over your stay. The hotel also had a little pool to splash around in. Nothing too special but nice to take a quick dip in or let the kids splash around. Tables, umbrellas, and chairs provided. They also give you complimentary beach umbrellas with the sand anchors as well as lounge chairs. You can even take out some bogey boards. And being steps from the beach can't be beat. Another plus they provided complimentary large beach towels for you to use. Definitely taking some extra steps to add to the value. I guess the only knock I really had on the place was the cramped and small parking situation and the noisy conjoined door. It was not insulated well at all to block sound. Could hear the neighbors fairly clearly when they were close to the door. Lucky for us they were nice and quiet people and it didn't actually disturb us, but we are a loud family with 2 loud kids so I can only imagine how it sounded on their side. Or how our enjoyment could've changed if we did have loud people next to us. They definitely need to look to improve the sound proofing around those conjoined doors. And there also isn't a lot of bells and whistles to this place. But you go here for a nice peaceful and easy beach weekend getaway, not if you are looking for hustle and bustle. Overall it was a great little vacation, and a big part of that was staying at this suite. I feel fully confident in choosing this place again when we return, as well as recommending it to family and friends.

Heaven on Earth can be found here. If I could just stay here, & go no where else I would be happy…read more Only thing is the beaches aren't dog friendly here. The closest is in Venice. It's ok though. We go to the same spot on the beach. We have the best free parking here always found and the beach is steps away. There's no restrooms here. The closest is the Walgreens. There's also a nearby plaza with Crepes, tacos, ice cream, and souvenirs, Publix and CVS are just down the street. It's a perfect spot in our happy place in Anna Maria Island. Also pretty close to getting off the island which is good bc the traffic is crazy in other spots.

Tony and I enjoyed a few hours at Manatee Beach on Anna Maria Island. This park is for the public…read moreand Beautiful! Free parking no pets no alcohol and the water is 3 Shades of Blue with white sands ...hardly any shells! We both agreed this is one of the most beautiful beaches we have seen all week! If your in the area you have to check it out! Tony Vanoy Lisa Diane Boyce-Vanoy #vacayinthesouth2025

Amazing time. Booking another ride tomorrow because I had so much fun. It's a glimpse of heavenread more

My family has now had the pleasure of riding and swimming with Florida beach horses 3 times now!…read moreOur favorite thing to do when visiting! This last time we rode Conga,Wahoo(takes the best pictures)Oakley, Knox, and Goose.... These horses are so amazing and our Guides were so sweet. Dakota, Maggie, Erica, and Sky! Thank you all so much for the memories, can't wait to come back and see you all again!