Turtle Beach - Less Crowded,
Lots of Room!

Turtle Beach, on the south end of Siesta Key, Florida is usually far less crowded than other Siesta Key and Sarasota beaches, especially during “off season.” 

Siesta Key Public Beach is the big draw of all the beaches in the region. 

For those who like what may turn out to be a less crowded beach, depending on season, Turtle Beach may be your cup of tea. 

Named for being an active sea turtle nesting habitat during turtle mating season, it is much more low key, as intended, than other Sarasota beaches, namely Siesta Key Beach.

In fact, during “low season,” you can almost have the half mile (2,600 feet of beach frontage) long beach to yourself!

The beach undergoes re-nourished, due to tides and erosion, from time to time which turns it back into a wide expanse of sandy beach and sand dunes.

The Sarasota County managed Turtle Beach Campground is right here also. A great spot to camp if you can wrangle a reservation.

The pine trees bordering the Turtle Beach Campground and the beach also make for a gorgeous, picturesque and serene landscape.

This beach is also one of the "Blue Wave” Certification beaches for its cleanliness and environmental conservation.

Here's a Turtle Beach Video with Audio

While not the white, baby powder soft sand you’ll find on Siesta Beach; the sand here is of a darker, more coarse variety, this is still one of the best Gulf of America Beaches; a huge expanse of beach with plenty of room to stake your claim to your own piece of real estate under the Sarasota, Florida sun.

A place to spread out and have enough "elbow room" to relax and kick back on your own portion of Turtle Beach without being right on top of another sunbather. Bring your cooler on wheels, your beach blanket or folding chair along with a beach umbrella and you'll have it made in the shade!

Turtle Beach, south Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida

Long walks, shelling, fishing from the shore, swimming, kayaking, sun bathing and fun in the sun are the rule of the day here.

Fishing from shore is a particular favorite of many who frequent Turtle Beach. It's easier to stake out a spot away from sunbathers or beach combers from where you can cast a line here. That's a bit tougher to do on a beach like Siesta Beach.

Turtle Beach, south Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida

This Siesta Key, Florida beach is family friendly and a great place to bring the kids. The greater park area at this beach covers about 14 acres and has quite a few amenities.

Turtle Beach Park and Picnic area

Within the beach area are small and larger group picnic shelters and grills around the lagoon, a playground for the kids, a volleyball court, restrooms and lots of parking space.

There are two boat launching ramps on the lagoon side of the beach area. There's also an area to launch your kayak or canoe. The lagoon, off the beach, would make a great place to kayak with it's usually tranquil water.

With its beach re-nourishment, its “Blue Wave” Certification Award, its wide sandy beach, sparkling light blue water and smaller crowds, this family friendly beach on south Siesta Key is a favorite gulf beach among both locals and visitors.

And speaking further about beach renourishment, this is an occasional project not only for Turtle Beach, but for other area beaches in Sarasota Count. Sarasota area Beaches are routinely renourished due to erosion from years of pounding waves, not to mention tropical storms and full blown hurricanes.

Sarasota County stays on top of all their beaches by keeping them in the best shape possible for not only beach visitors but also for the eco-environment, to the expense of millions of dollars. 

There's usually a large beach renourishment project going on in the region almost every year. It takes quite an effort to stay on top of it in the sometimes harsh, sub-tropical environment that is the Sarasota area.

Directions: From Sarasota take Rt. 41 to Stickney Point over the bridge. After crossing the bridge turn left on to Midnight Pass Road. Follow Midnight Pass Road south, look for the sign and then turn right into the beach area parking lots. Parking and beach access are free at all Sarasota area beaches.

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