Things to Do in Siesta Key
Soft white sand, a walkable beach village and a Sunday drum circle.
See top-rated activities »About Siesta Key
Siesta Key is an eight-mile barrier island just south of the city of Sarasota, joined to the mainland by two bridges. Its reputation rests on Siesta Beach, the large public park near the middle of the island. The sand here is almost pure quartz, very white and very fine, and it stays comfortable to walk on even in summer. The water shelves gently, which makes it a good beach for children, and the park has lifeguards, a pavilion, playgrounds and a large parking lot that still fills by late morning in season.
South of the public beach, Crescent Beach runs along a curve of condominiums and rental homes to Point of Rocks, a limestone shelf at the water’s edge where snorkelers look for small fish, crabs and sea stars on calm days. Access is limited to a few small public paths, so it rarely feels crowded. At the far south end of the island, Turtle Beach has darker sand, more shells and a quieter crowd, with a boat ramp and a small county campground nearby.
Siesta Key Village, at the north end, is the island’s social center: a few blocks of bars, restaurants, ice cream shops and beachwear stores along Ocean Boulevard. Every Sunday evening a drum circle gathers on Siesta Beach and plays through sunset, as it has since the 1990s. Parking anywhere on the key can be hard, so many visitors ride the county’s free open-air trolley, now called the Route 77 Siesta Islander, which runs between Turtle Beach and the village throughout the day.
The bay side of the island is lined with canals and docks, and outfitters there rent kayaks, paddleboards and pontoon boats for exploring Roberts Bay and Little Sarasota Bay, where dolphins are a common sight. Charter captains run fishing and sandbar trips from the marinas near the Stickney Point bridge. March, when spring break crowds arrive, is the busiest month on the key; late April, May and the fall months are calmer.
Don’t Miss
The island’s main public beach, known for fine white quartz sand, gentle water and lifeguarded swimming areas.
A rocky shelf at the south end of Crescent Beach with some of the best shore snorkeling in the county when the Gulf is calm.
A quieter, less developed beach at the south end of the key, good for shelling and sunset walks.
A walkable cluster of restaurants, bars and shops a short walk from the beach, with live music most nights.
Free drumming and dancing on the sand every Sunday, starting about an hour before sunset.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Siesta Key
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 27, 2026. Best of Sarasota County may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »Siesta Key — FAQ
Is parking free at Siesta Beach?
The county lot at Siesta Beach has historically been free, but it fills early on weekends and from February through April. Arrive before 10 a.m. or ride the free Siesta Islander trolley from elsewhere on the key.
What is the difference between Siesta Beach and Crescent Beach?
Siesta Beach is the large public park with full facilities. Crescent Beach is the stretch to the south, reached by smaller public access paths, and it ends at Point of Rocks.
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