Siesta Key is world famous for its spectacular and scenic white sand beaches. The soft, powdery sand is composed primarily of crushed quartz crystal that sparkles in the sun and stays cool even on the hottest summer days. All along the coast, the surf is gentle and shallow – perfect for small children – and the blue and green gulf waters are usually clear enough to see small schools of fish swim by. The spectacular sunsets draw many visitors – locals and tourists alike.
But many people don’t realize there are THREE gorgeous beaches along the barrier island known as Siesta Key and the Sea Shell is right in the middle of the action.
CRESCENT BEACH
If you’re staying at the Sea Shell you don’t have to go far to enjoy beautiful Crescent Beach on Siesta Key. Just walk through the gate to our private beach and you have arrived.
Crescent Beach is south of Siesta Key Public Beach and north of Turtle Beach. All three beaches are lumped into the “Siesta Beach” destination because they all share the same qualities that make this area famous: cool, soft white sands, gentle, kid-friendly waves, and beautiful, clear Gulf waters.
This is a perfect location for the vacationer because it’s so convenient for everything. Right across the street are gift shops, restaurants, bars, entertainment, coffee, ice cream, mini donuts, a deli, a convenience store, and even a grocery store! You can also rent snorkeling equipment, jet skis, boats, paddle boards, and any other type of gear or adventure that you can imagine.
It’s a truly walkable paradise. It’s also less hectic than the public beach, which can get crowded and has a bit of a hike from the parking lot to the waterline. Ours is no more than a few hundred steps.
The views on Crescent Beach are spectacular, with Point of Rocks just a few hundred yards to the south – a snorkeling paradise. Water birds like pelicans, egrets, plovers, terns, and gulls are fun to watch as they catch fish and run through the surf. You can also expect to see dolphins, and sometimes even manatees, swimming close to the shore.
Although we think our beach is the best, it’s easy to check out the other two beaches. Just flag down the free trolley going north to explore Siesta Key Public Beach and the Village, or trolley south to see what Turtle Beach has to offer.
SIESTA KEY BEACH
Siesta Key Beach is one of the best-known in the world. It’s usually on any list of the best beaches to visit. It’s an easy walk to check out this popular beach from the Sea Shell. Walk out the gate to the beach, turn right, and it’s about one mile north. Or, if you prefer, the free trolley will take you there.
The public beach at Siesta Key continually improves its amenities, including 8 new public pickleball courts. They join the existing 10 volleyball courts – all are first come, first served. Restrooms and a concession stand are on site. There is a big playground for kids, picnic tables, a pavilion for shade, and grills. Lifeguards are on duty every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also rent chairs and umbrellas in the plaza.
One challenge the public beach faced for many years was that the distance from the parking lot to the water made it hard to navigate for those with mobility issues or who were pushing a stroller or wheelchair. Problem solved; the beach now has a 450-foot-long Mobi-Mat pathway that makes the journey to the shoreline much easier. Even better, beach wheelchairs are free from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The public beach is more crowded than Crescent Beach, especially during high season. And it’s self-contained in that there are no food options outside the concession area.
TURTLE BEACH
Turtle Beach is located on the southern end of Siesta Key and has substantially different scenery, with better shelling and coarser, darker sand that is more like traditional beach sand. There are no lifeguards here, but you’ll enjoy several facilities nearby including a campground, showers, playground, and picnic tables. And, as its name implies, you’re likely to see turtles and/or turtle nests depending on the time of year.
You can’t walk along the sand to Turtle Beach from the Sea Shell like you can to the public beach, because Point of Rocks bisects the two beaches, but it’s a quick, free trolley ride. Or, if you prefer to drive, there is plenty of parking.
Turtle Beach has a different look from Crescent Beach and Siesta Key Beach. It’s marked by dunes and native beach plants and dune grasses, giving it a less commercial, more “old Florida, traditional beach” vibe. It’s worth taking a few hours, or even a full day, to visit this beautiful beach and it’s generally less crowded than the other two.