Most people come to the gorgeous barrier island of Siesta Key for the famous beaches, Siesta Key Beach, Crescent Beach, and Turtle Beach. However, the region has many other activities to round out your Florida vacation, from watersports right outside your door to day trips to some of South Florida’s most famous landmarks.
Here is a partial round-up of the many activities you can enjoy on Siesta Key and in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. For a comprehensive guide to dining and shopping, click here.
Activities on Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key Drum Circle is one of the most popular events on Siesta Key. Occurring every Sunday just before sunset, it’s a long-standing tradition that attracts visitors from all over. Located at Siesta Key Public Beach, it’s an easy walk (just over a mile) along the sand or hop on the free Siesta Key Trolley and let them drop you off.
Pickle Ball has arrived at Siesta Key Beach! Eight new dedicated outdoor courts on Siesta Key Public Beach are free to all but can’t be reserved. Players have access to restrooms, water, and lights. There’s also a concession stand on site.
Beach Volleyball is a perfect fit for Siesta Key’s cool white sands. The 10 volleyball courts on the public beach can’t be reserved, but players have the same amenities as the pickleball players.
Yoga on the Beach is offered several times a week between the green and red lifeguard towers on Siesta Key Beach. Days and times vary by season, so visit their website, SiestaKeyYoga.net, for the most up-to-date schedule. It’s yoga but in the best “studio” anywhere.
Siesta Key Farmers Market in Siesta Key Village is open every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh produce, crafts, treats, and more.
Sand Castle Lessons are a unique activity the entire family will love. The crew at Sandventure Sand Sculpting holds classes from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. seven days a week. And they’ll even come to you! Call or text 941-822-5270.
Watersports and Fishing
The great thing about the Gulf Coast of Florida is that the surf is calmer and the water temperatures are warmer than most beaches so you can enjoy water adventures year-round. And the great thing about staying at Sea Shell is that it’s such a convenient location to book rental tours and/or equipment.
Snorkeling & Watersports
Walk through the gate onto our private beach and look to your left. That rock formation you see just a few hundred yards away is the famous Point of Rocks. It is a superior place to snorkel, even for beginners.
Kayaking, paddleboarding, and jet skis are very popular on our calm stretch of the Key. Most rental agencies deliver right to the beach, or, in the case of jet skis, meet you in the shallow water.
Fishing & Boat Rentals
It’s easy to rent the equipment you need if you’d like to fish on land – you’ll have plenty of company, especially if you get out early in the morning. Several restaurants in the area will clean and prepare your catch for a small fee.
Fishing charters out on the water are even more popular, and there are plenty of them around. You can book a trip for a few hours or a full day, but reserve early – they fill up fast!
If you’d like to take the helm of your adventure, you can rent boats of all sizes and types. There are usually age and experience restrictions, but if you’re a boater, you already know that. The good news is that if you don’t have boating experience, charter boat rentals complete with a captain are readily available too. Here are some other great adventures you might want to explore:
Parasailing and Banana Boat Rides
See the beach from your parachute perch. With any luck, you’ll spot dolphins or a manatee. A banana boat ride is like group tubing – a large inflatable banana-shaped boat is pulled along the water by a jet ski. This is a great activity for all ages as your driver will tailor the intensity of the trip to the age and physical condition of the passengers.
Sunset (and other) Cruises
The sunsets on Siesta Key are some of the most spectacular in the world, and this is a great way to enjoy them. Many of our guests book one of these cruises every time they visit, they enjoy them so much.
List of local agencies for adventures and rentals, including baby and beach rental items.
Attractions Off the Key
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is fun for kids and adults alike. The Mote offers visitors up close and personal looks at manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, alligators, river otters, and, of course, lots and lots of colorful fish! There’s even an area where you can pet cownose rays – they’re surprisingly friendly!
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens made Time Magazine’s list of the World’s Greatest Places and we agree! There are two locations, the original, Downtown Sarasota campus and the Historic Spanish Point Campus. There are far too many types of plants to begin to list here, but it’s a beautiful way to spend the day.
Myakka River State Park features one of only 74 canopy walkways in the world. At 76 feet in the air, it offers a literal bird’s eye view of this beautiful park. There is also a zip line, kayaking, boat tours, and so much more. Wildlife is plentiful – deer, hogs, turkeys, and alligators. It’s worth the visit to get a feel for what we call “Old Florida.”
The Ringling features five attractions on the former estate of John and Mable Ringling. If you have kids, start with the Circus Museum, a colorful, energetic look at the history of the American circus. The mini circus is not to be missed. Other attractions include an art museum, the Ringling Mansion Ca’ d’Zan, the historic Asolo theater, and the Bayfront Gardens.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a kid’s favorite. Visitors can interact with animals, attend animal shows, and learn more about old Florida and its flora and fauna. It’s a fun, interesting break when you’re all beached out.
Sarasota Art Museum is a contemporary art museum known as a Kunsthalle – an art museum without a permanent collection. There are 15,000 square feet of dedicated exhibition space, as well as other areas for installations and performances. There’s also a sculpture court.
Ca’ d’Zan at the Ringling