Running south from Siesta Key Beach, Crescent Beach is a popular spot for those staying in the many nearby hotels and vacation rentals. (some count it as part of siesta key beach only). It's not a local favorite, it's one of the quieter destinations in the area for visitors looking for peace on their trips to one of the most popular islands in the U.S. With its sweeping coastline carves out a huge "C" where it meets the Atlantic Ocean (the crescent shape, of course, giving the area its name). it maintains an "old Florida" vibe as a quieter beach with white sand and is primarily residential. If you're staying along Crescent Beach, your accommodation may provide roped-off sections of glorious white sand for your enjoyment. beautiful crescent moon-shaped beach, just right for laying out on or for strolling the strand. Soft gulf breezes. Breathtaking sunsets. It gets no better. Parking: We used public beach access # 12 (I guess there is just one public access road, Midnight Pass Rd, and it's very easy to miss). it's a cramp, one-way alley and only suitable for compact cars. to go back, drive forward, take a K-turn, and merge into the main street. yup as it's one way you can find yourself stuck when someone comes from the same side. see the pic and you would understand. read more

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This beach is before you get to Suesta Key Beach. It is crescent shaped and has powdery white sand. The water is very shallow so groups of people hang out for hours. It's nice that is private so there are not huge crowds. In the morning, people are out walking and at night they gather to watch the sunset. read more

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This beach is amazing!! If you're like me and read the reviews read this! Right when you turn on the street it's an immediate Right hand turn- down the alley way. They have about 20 car slots. One way in and out. Gets slightly tight. But. Truck can fit there no problem. Then you walk down to the beach. Pick your spot and enjoy the water ! It's like bath water it's Amazing. This beach is less packed compared to the main Siesta key beach. But it was still packed I went at 2pm and got parking right away. So nice read more

Crescent Beach - Beaches Near Me

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Fine, soft white sand. It doesn't burn your feet even on a hot day. The water is clean and clear. It's shallow. You can walk quite far out and yet the water level doesn't get higher than your waste. read more

Crescent Beach - Sunset at Crescent Beach - Beaches Near Me

Can't believe this is the first time I have been to this beach. But actually I can. The entrance is very closed off and it's like an alley. There is one strip of parking and we were lucky enough to find a spot. Parking is free Yay, as is the majority of parking at Sarasota beaches. The walk to the beach is not bad at all. I think Siesta Key's beach is pretty but the walk from the parking lot is way too far with beach stuff in your hand. So I'd definitely come back here! It's low key, not crowded, and not a bad walk. The sand is not a big deal like the powder sand at Siesta. It actually was pretty packed in. read more

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Hate the crowds? This is where you want to hang out/collect shells/watch the sunset/get a tan/swim/walk along the beach instead. read more

Crescent Beach - Beaches Near Me

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My family has been traveling to Siesta Key for nearly 40 years and have stayed on Crescent Beach every time. Crescent Beach packs all the benefits of neighboring Siesta Beach (often taking the top spot on Dr. Beach's list of top beaches in America), but is far less crowded. This beach is specific for those staying at Crescent Beach vacation rentals, so you won't find public bathrooms or concessions as it is assumed you will have access to those where you are staying. The brilliantly white powder sand consists of 99% quartz from the Appalachian Mountains which results in sand that is uber soft, remains cool to the touch even in summer's heat and illuminates in the moonlight. It is simply breathtaking to see the shoreline of the beach meet the beautiful clarity of the turquoise gulf waters. read more

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I've been trying to go here for months because of the good reviews on yelp. Every time I go the small alley parking is full. I finally took the family really early one day (like 930am) and we got a spot. We unloaded all our beach stuff into the wagon and walked down the alley and to the beach. Once we got to the beach we noticed on either side there were signs saying do not enter, private. We couldn't go on either side. We tried walking up the beach several yards but each resort along the way had their own beach blocked off. We ended up walking back to the car and going to siesta. Not a good experience. read more

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Very short review - the best beach in USA so far. The white sand (when dry) is soft as any dust. When you walk behind somebody you see white dust lifting behind. It is very pleasurable to walk on it on the beach. The beach is perfect 4' deep water - you can swim, or you can walk, or you can talk or you can play. Kids can collect shells. It is clean, no grass underneath you and water is greenish color. Pictures will prove it. read more

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This beach was a 5 minute drive all from the house. It was always quieter and less crowded than the main siesta beach. I can't give it 5 stars because there are no public bathrooms. read more

One of my favorite beaches on the gulf coast. We're here at a time share for the week with private beach access but we did ride our bikes up to the public beach which had plenty of free parking and clean facilities. This beach is picturesque with its light blue clear waters and white sand that won't burn your feet. Siesta key village has some great restaurants and free transportation. Definitely will be coming back as often as I can. read more

Crescent Beach - Crescent Beach-Siesta Key - Beaches Near Me

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OK this is one of the most fabulous beaches you can ever set foot on. From the Crescent shape, to the white soft sand, to the beautiful smooth waters, just excellent. Parking is a bit lacking and there are no amenities there, but the natural beauty is stunning. Youjust have to see this place to believe it. read more

While Siesta Key Beach is still my favorite, Crescent Beach is an extremely close runner-up. In fact, during my stay here, we frequented Crescent Beach more than we did Siesta Key for several reasons: 1. Was walking distance from my condo (Public Beach entrance across from Captain Curts) --Parking is limited if you're driving 2. For people staying on the ocean side, you have private access right there 3. Sand is still the beautiful white powdery material found a mile down the road (doesn't burn your feet) 4. Same beautiful clear, turquoise water 5. If you walk to the end there is Pointed Rocks, where I was able to get some cool pictures 6. Same great sunset Reasons why it's a 5, but still can't beat Siesta Key Beach? It doesn't offer the same amenities (bathrooms, food, etc.), and while the beach is still extremely clean, I don't think it has the same strict cleaning as Siesta Key's beach does (ie: There was seaweed on the beach when we went) Love the beach, love the views. It's almost exactly the same as Siesta Key, but can be a little less crowded because it's mostly a private beach. Parking is an issue for both beaches. read more

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I love coming here for a week getaway with my family. I've been coming here for years and I never had a horrible time. I do note to bring tents because it gets extremely hot, especially if you're coming with a big group of people. The sand is also so soft, there will be times that it'll get overcast but that also depends on when you decide to come. Just coming here I always feel relax and there's also an outlet mall thirty minutes away! read more

Crescent Beach - Beaches Near Me

For the week we were there, the water varied from very wavy to nearly glass. Both conditions were enjoyable in their own way. Very warm, emerald green waters. On the calm days, it was very clear. The sand, of course, is unreal. Cannot wait to return. read more

Nice quieter spot to sit on the beach. Definitely quieter than siesta keys main beach area. We have come here a few times and watched the sun set. Very pretty and nice area. We can walk there and really are enjoying it. read more

What an amazing beach. The sand is white and so cool on your feet. For a second I thought was in the Caribbean. The water was blue, clear and very still. read more

Crescent Beach - Beaches Near Me

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Crescent Beach is located on the south side of Siesta Key. This beach has one public access point #12 but parking is limited. Crescent Beach is more laid back and isn't as public so it doesn't get as full. The sand, water, and sunsets are just as good though. At the very end of crescent beach there is a rock formation called point of rocks. This is the best spot for snorkeling and it can been seen at low tide. I prefer this beach in the summer because it is near my house. No matter where you go in Sarasota, 5 star beaches await your arrival! read more

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Overcrowded. Fighting for beach space. Waiting in 1.5 hour long lines (on average) for restaurants. Sitting in traffic. This place is not relaxing. White sands are nice but go somewhere else where they can accommodate this many people. Don't fall for all the other hype. read more

Was there on December 30. It was very hot with thousands of people on the beach and some in the water. The beach smelled like dead fish or sewage. It was awful. I didn't understand why people were in the water and laying on the sand with that offensive smell. Couldn't wait to leave. Not my idea of a nice beach or a pleasant day at the beach. read more

We spent a month in Sarasota in March, and after visiting several beaches around the area it was very clear why Siesta Key gets such high marks. There is nothing but clear, fine, white stand as far as the eye can see--not a lot of rocks and shells like other area beaches. We frequently saw dolphins at sunset. Two caveats: first, there is next to no parking for the beach. Second, if you are swimming it is worth knowing that there are often strong currents along the beach. It is not a huge deal but you can end up several hundred yards up or down the beach from where you started without really noticing. read more

Soft, white, fluffy sand underneath your feet. Doesn't that sound great? Well that's what you get at siesta key beach. It's great for families and has great sunsets. The water is crystal clear and very shallow. There are many places to stay but I'd recommend staying at crystal sands. It pretty much sums up the type of beach. I will definitely be coming back. read more

Crescent Beach - Sunset from crystal sands. - Beaches Near Me

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Nice quiet beach but that could also be because of the copious amounts of dead fish, eel and snakes on the beach and in the water. And be careful of the fire ants in the sand!! read more

The only thing this beach and Siesta Key beach have that other beaches do not is powder-like white sand. Other than that, many other beige in color beaches are better. These two beaches are too crowded and parking is crazy if after 11 am. They are just too busy with many people between 10 AM-5 PM. Try the other beaches in Nokomis and Venice, just 20 min. south for a more uncrowded beach. But, if white sand is a must, go there and deal with too many. read more

the finest, softest, whitest powder sand you will likely ever find. clean water. clean beach. amazing sunsets. sand stays cool underfoot. wish i could bring a dump truck of the sand home! read more

Crescent Beach - sunset in January. - Beaches Near Me

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Wonderful beach, powdery soft white sands that never gets too hot to walk on and enjoy

Very Best!!! Love, love, love this location. Less traffic and much closer. Beautiful sunsets and soft white sand. Lido and Casey Key would be a close Second or Third. read more

Love this beach. So beautiful and clean! Can't wait to come back again next year, wish I had come here sooner

The private beach adjacent to Siesta is what I consider to be my "home town" beach as it was where I spent the most time when I was young. I could walk to this beach when I was a kid and, for a while, my grandparents had a condo on the beach. This beach is a little bit quieter and less hectic during "season" but does not offer the amenities as Siesta does (food court, bathrooms, etc) but is just as aesthetically pleasing. I have very fond memories of walking down the beach to "point of rocks" and attempting to navigate the rocks during low tide. If you attempt this, please beware, the rocks get extremely slippery and can be dangerous. I will always have a special place in my heart for this beach, with beautiful sunsets, white sand, views of dolphins and other aquatic animals, and rows of condos with vacationers and snow-birds (seasonal residents in non-Southern speak). The only negative thing I can think of is that parking can be tough but locals know that you can usually find a spot on one of the nearby side streets (this is more difficult in seas but do-able). read more

Siesta Key Beach is a horrible place to go tot he beach, me and my family just went to the beach for a little vacation and when we were going into the water there were dead fish right there on the shore, then when we carried on into the water there were dead fish floating all around us, we were severely disgusted so we decided to leave, and when we were walking back to the platform there were also dead crabs lying by the edge of the shore, so not only were there dead fish floating around in the water there were dead crabs, I don't even understand how families would go to this beach and swim around and we could barely stand in the water for longer then 5 minutes. I definitely do NOT recommend going to this beach. read more