Anna Maria Island
This quiet island is a retreat if you are a beach-goer. A number of beachfront parks offer everything you'll need for your next vacation. Anna Maria Bayfront Park features more than 1,000 feet of sandy beach that overlooks the waters of Tampa Bay on the northern tip of this quaint island. An abundance of parking, lifeguards, restrooms, showers, picnic shelters and a view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge make this a family favorite. Anna Maria Beach is a quiet, undeveloped sandy Gulf beach that offers more than three acres of beautiful views and the soft sound of waves lapping at the shore. It's a quiet and secluded beach that's great if you are searching for some privacy.

Further south you'll find Holmes Beach. Located at the center of Anna Maria Island, it features a full range of amenities including grills, a playground, showers and a picnic area, as well as, plenty of wide, sandy beach. This is a surfer's paradise when the waves are high. Manatee County Beach features 900 feet of sandy beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Cortez Beach showcases 140 feet of undeveloped beach. It has free parking, lifeguards on duty, restrooms, picnic tables and showers. Coquina Beach located on the island's southern tip is a popular public beach lined with towering Australian pines. A full-service concession stand, ample parking, barbecue pits, picnic facilities, a boat ramp, a playground, restrooms, showers and lifeguards make this beach a popular, bustling beach.

Beer Can Island Beach
This is a secluded peninsula at the northern tip of Longboat Key. Its 2,000 feet of sandy beach are excellent for shelling. It is best to come by boat or walk to the island at low tide.

North Longboat Key Beach
Longboat Key is for those who prefer seclusion. These pristine beaches are a well-kept secret and public access is at a minimum. Try the undeveloped sandy beach extending from North Shore Road south to the county line, accessible at the ends of residential streets.

North Lido Beach
North Lido Beach is a gorgeous half-mile stretch of golden beach floating on the Gulf of Mexico. This beach is popular for sunbathing and quiet reading.

Lido Beach
Located mid-island on Lido Key, this beach is only minutes from St. Armands Circle, a popular shopping and dining district. The facilities here are outstanding, including showers, lockers, dressing rooms, concession stand, public meeting rooms, a beachwear/souvenir boutique and and playground.

South Lido Park
This park, located on the southern tip of Lido Key, is well shaded by Australian pines. The 100-acre park is surrounded by four bodies of water, the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Bay, Big Pass and Brushy Bayou. It's a great place to grill-out and chill-out. South Lido is a popular spot for boaters and for family outings. Don't miss the nice view of the Sarasota skyline.

Siesta Public Beach
Judges in Great International White Sand Beach Challenge decided in 1987 that Siesta Beach had the "whitest and finest sand in the world" and no one who's ever visited is likely to dispute that claim. The award-winning sand is 99% quartz and is snow-white and feathery-soft. The area's most popular public beach, this 2,400 feet of beachfront attracts sun worshippers of all ages. Facilities include beach wheelchairs, tennis courts, volleyball nets, concession stand, ball field and fitness trail. Pine trees shade an area for picnicking with grills for cookouts and a playground. This year, Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, better known as Dr. Beach, ranked this the seventh best beach in the United States.

Crescent Beach on Siesta Key
The clear, warm waters along this gently sloping shore make for ideal swimming. The beach is hundreds of yards wide, and its crescent shape only adds to the picturesque quality. The public park features picnic tables, shelters, showers and restrooms.

Turtle Beach
On the southern end of Siesta Key, Turtle Beach has some of the highest beach dunes in the area. The site is perfect for family outings with picnic areas, dune walkovers, a playground and restrooms.