About Siesta Key, Florida

Visit Siesta Key and Enjoy the World's Finest, Whitest Sand Beaches...

Siesta Key, located just offshore of Sarasota, is a beautiful eight mile long barrier island on the Gulf coast of Florida.

Siesta Key is situated between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. A portion of it lies within the city boundary of Sarasota, but the majority of the key is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County.

Zarazote - Sarasota Key - Siesta Key

After the probable Amerindian name of Zarazote for the area and the bay, the key was originally named Sarasota Key by European cartographers during exploration beginning in 1513. That name can be seen on maps from the early 1700s as well as on all local maps drawn before the name change to Siesta Key in the 1920s.

The population was 7,150 at the 2000 census.

Tropical Siesta Key Paradise!

Alive with tropical atmosphere, Siesta Key is blessed with the world's finest, whitest beaches. It is a true tropical paradise, filled with mystery and charm. Relax in the soothing, warm breeze and let the cool water and soft sand transport you to your own personal paradise!   

True to its tropical nature, Siesta Key boasts many species of tropical trees and flowering shrubs, as well as exotic parrots and numerous varieties of native birds. Along the beaches and bays you will see gulls, terns, plovers, pelicans, egrets, herons, ibis, spoonbills, storks and cranes.

Just offshore, it is common to see dolphins and manatees playing in the sun.

If you are planning a trip to the Siesta Key area, go to Siesta Key Beach, Bike and Baby Vacation Equipment Rentals to learn more about Fun and More Rentals and how they can help you enjoy your Siesta Key vacation to the fullest!

Siesta Beach stretches from a site named Point of Rocks, just below the middle point of Siesta Key, north to the Siesta Village region. It might be considered Siesta Key’s premier claim to fame.

Crescent Beach
World's Finest and Whitest Sand

Crescent Beach is the heart of Siesta Key. It is renowned for it's powdery white sand and was presented with the world's "finest and whitest" sand award at the 1987 World Sand Challenge.

Watch the sun rise, then take the wooden footbridges over the sea oats and sea grapes and mingle with the wild Florida rabbits enjoying their morning feast.

The Crescent Beach facility includes sheltered picnic areas, restrooms, concession stands, lifeguards, volleyball courts, tennis courts, a softball field, playground and even a fitness trail.

Siesta Beach stretches from a site named Point of Rocks, just below the middle point of Siesta Key, north to the Siesta Village region. It might be considered Siesta Key’s premier claim to fame. From being chosen as Best Overall in the 1987 International Sand Contest, to being named the Best Sand Beach in America 2004 by the Travel Channel, Siesta Beach has accumulated numerous awards in recognition of its soft, clean, pure-white sand.

Consistently, Siesta Beach is rated among the top ten beaches of Florida, and the world.

Harvard University's geology department found the sand of Siesta Beach was 99% pure quartz. Unlike most beaches that are composed of crushed shells, rocks or lava, this sand is pure white and finer in texture than most refined sugar. The sand has been described as "dazzling" and it is stated that it never feels hot.

Siesta Key's remarkable sand and the azure, warm water of its beaches are a great attraction for tourists and local beachgoers alike who come to experience the sand and the water.

Other Siesta Key Beaches

There are several other Siesta Key Beach access points, and parking, along Midnight Pass Road to the south and along Beach Road to the north of Crescent Beach.

On the south end of Siesta Key is Turtle Beach. Not as crowded as Siesta Key Beach, Turtle Beach has an abundance of seashells and is a great place to beach comb.

South of Turtle Beach is Palmer Point Beach, a remote stretch of sand and sea oats. Since Midnight Pass has filled in (with sand), you can now walk from Palmer Point Beach to Casey Key.

Siesta Key's Point of Rocks

Point of Rocks is a shallow formation of limestone rock that extends into the Gulf of Mexico from the middle of the western shore of Siesta Key. This very distinctive site, geologically unusual for Southwest Florida, provides habitat to a wide variety of fish and is, perhaps, the only good snorkeling beach on the west coast of Florida.

For centuries, Point of Rocks has been a landmark for mariners and "legend" has it as the starting point for maps to burial places of treasures plundered by pirates.

Things to Do on Siesta Key

There is no shortage of outdoor activity while visiting Siesta Key.

Watersports abound, and for the energetic Siesta Key offers up excellent sailboarding, fishing, snorkeling and Parasailing. Or, for those of you that prefer a more laid back, relaxing gulf coast adventure, a personalized Sailing Charter might be the ticket.

If you are planning a trip to the Siesta Key area, go to Siesta Key Beach, Bike and Baby Vacation Equipment Rentals to learn more about Fun and More Rentals and how they can help you enjoy your Siesta Key vacation to the fullest!