Siesta Key stretches for eight miles along the coast of Sarasota County but it covers just
2.4 square miles
of land!
How long and wide is Siesta Key?
Indeed, Siesta Key, named for an island development, is an appropriate moniker. This laid-back barrier island —
about three-fourths of a mile at its widest
— exudes a “Relax, you're on vacation” vibe. Most of the action plays out on Siesta Key's Crescent Beach, named for its curved shape and spanning 2 1/2 miles.
Why is Siesta Key so popular?
Consistently awarded the top spot for one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States from highly regarded names like TripAdvisor, the Travel Channel and the famous Dr. Beach, travelers from around the country have been lured in by the beach's
family-friendly amenities and unspoiled natural beauty
.
How many beaches are in Siesta Key?
This eight-mile-long barrier island is home to some of Florida's best beaches and as a result, Siesta Key has long been a destination for locals and northern visitors alike. The
six
beaches on Siesta Key are all a bit different from one another, and that's what makes a vacation here special.
Which is better Clearwater or Siesta Key?
Siesta Beach came out on top at number 1
, St. Pete Beach rose to second place and Clearwater Beach fell to fifth place. Siesta Beach and St. Pete Beach were also rated the 11th and 16th best beach in the world, respectively.
Is Siesta Key worth visiting?
Siesta Key beach is one of the most famous beaches in Florida known for its many family-friendly amenities, sugar-white sand, and beautiful turquoise waters.
If you are within at least two hours driving distance from Siesta Key Beach, Florida Gulf Coast's number one beach, it's definitely worth the visit
.
Why is Siesta Key sand so cool?
Usually, they are made of up a mix of minerals, but Siesta Key's sands are special because
each of the grains are almost entirely quartz
. Siesta Key just happens to be located in the perfect geography where quartz from the southern Appalachian Mountains traveled down rivers and concentrated throughout the eons.
What is the number 1 beach in the USA?
Beach (real name Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman) describes
Hapuna Beach State Park on the Big Island, Hawaii
, which he just named number 1 in the United States in his annual Best Beaches awards, which is published just in time for Memorial Day Weekend.
Why is Siesta Key sand so soft?
On Siesta Key, however,
the sand is 99% quartz
. This results in pure white sand that is actually perfectly ground bits of quartz, smoothed and transformed over time. It also means the sand is super soft and almost squeaky as you walk on it.
Is it better to stay in Siesta Key or Sarasota?
Siesta Key is one of the cheaper destinations in Florida, but it can still get pretty pricey during peak season.
Sarasota offers more budget-friendly vacation rentals
, it also has a livelier Downtown area with an endless assortment of bars, boutiques and restaurants to choose from.
Is Siesta Key Beach sand real?
Siesta Beach (sometimes known as Siesta Key Beach) is a beach located on Siesta Key in the U.S. state of Florida. Unlike beaches elsewhere that are made up mostly of pulverized coral, Siesta Beach's sand is
99% quartz
, most of which comes from the Appalachian Mountains.
Is there a boardwalk in Siesta Key?
Siesta Key is nothing like Hollywood..it is much more laid back.
There is no boardwalk
with shops etc. No beach side dining/bars.
Is Siesta Key better than Marco island?
Marco is nice, but has been concreted over with too many high rises.
Siesta Key has far superior beaches
. It is like walking on sugar. You also have the added benefit of Sarasota (dining/art and antiques) and other barrier islands to visit within a week's time.
Are there private beaches on Siesta Key?
The beaches and public beach accesses are open to the public to enjoy. Siesta Public Beach, Turtle Beach, and the 13 Siesta public beach accesses are not private, however,
there are also private beaches/properties along Siesta Key adjacent to public beach accesses
.
What is the water like at Siesta Key?
The
gulf water is clear
– and when you go tot he beach – especially early morning you can see dolphins surfacing and frolicing. The best is very maintained and by lifegard house 3 it has a snack bar & they sell alcohol at descent price – as well as food and other drinks.
Does Siesta Key have nice beaches?
No question our loveliest beach, with quartz-crystal sand as white and soft as powdered sugar,
Siesta Key's Crescent Beach has been officially ranked as “the finest, whitest sand beach in the world.”
Its energy is palpable and made even more so by the many activities that it invites.
What is the cost of living in Siesta Key Florida?
| COST OF LIVING Siesta Key Florida | Overall 154.6 102.8 | Grocery 114.5 102.8 | Health 97.6 98 | Housing 277.7 102.6 |
|---|
Is Siesta Key water clear?
South of Tampa Bay, Siesta Key is a beautiful area with many smaller beaches and towns all around it. The clear water beaches of Siesta Key prove that it's not just the Florida Panhandle with all of the natural beauty –
Siesta Key Beach has crystal clear water
, though it is not as profound as the Panhandle.
Is Siesta Key crowded?
Siesta Key is
not crowded at all in the June / July timeframe
and you shouldn't have any trouble with lodging. Touristas generally avoid Florida in the summer, so the local folk have the run of the place. Once the weather gets chilly up north, that's the high tourist season for us down here.
Which is the prettiest beach in Florida?
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Key West. …
- Miramar Beach, South Walton. …
- Cocoa Beach, Brevard County. …
- South Beach Park, Vero Beach. …
- Juno Beach Park, Juno Beach. …
- Bowman's Beach, Sanibel Island. …
- Delray Beach, Palm Beach County. …
- Lummus Park Beach, Miami Beach.
What is the clearest water in Florida?
- Destin. …
- Panama City Beach. …
- Freshwater Springs. …
- Miami. …
- Palm Beach. …
- Tampa. …
- Sarasota. Sarasota is fast becoming one of Florida's best destinations. …
- Boca Grande. As one of our favorite places in Florida, Boca Grande is located in the middle of boating paradise and at the northern end of Charlotte Harbor.
What is the whitest beach in Florida?
Siesta Key
boasts some of the softest, whitest sand on the planet.
Can you take sand from Siesta Key beach?
While some tourists may be guilty of this seemingly harmless act,
removing sand from many coastal states in the United States like Hawaii, California, or Florida is in fact illegal
. This was predominantly in response to tourists taking large quantities of sand from their black sand beaches, like Punaluʻu Beach.
Is Siesta Key beach best in world?
Siesta Beach was named #1 in the U.S. and
#11 in the world in the 2020 TripAdvisor Travelers' ChoiceTM awards
. Here's a few reasons why this island oasis has grabbed the top spot three times since 2015.
Hawaii
is home to many of the best beaches in the US, but Makena Beach State Park, at the south end of Wailea, is a wild, seemingly endless expanse of golden sand and turquoise water that feels more secluded than its crowded neighbors.
