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Photo: A silhouette stretching at the water's edge under a pink and gold Gulf sunset

Siesta Key, Florida

Powder-White Sand and Turquoise Water.

A barrier island off Sarasota with the softest sand in America, a laid-back village full of restaurants and live music, and sunsets worth planning your whole day around. Two of our homes are right here on the island.

#1Best Beach in the U.S., 2026

See our Siesta Key homes
A red lifeguard stand on the white sand of Siesta Key Beach

7 timesranked the #1 beach in America

Siesta Key Beach

America's Award-Winning Beach, Minutes From Our Homes.

  1. 2026#1 Best Beach in the U.S.U.S. News & World Report
  2. 2026#28 in the World, only U.S. beachWorld's 50 Best Beaches
  3. 2026#6 Beach in the U.S.Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice
  4. 2025#1 Beach in the U.S., #4 in the WorldTripadvisor Travelers' Choice
  5. 2025#42 in the WorldWorld's 50 Best Beaches
  6. 2024#2 Beach in the U.S., #9 in the WorldTripadvisor Travelers' Choice
  7. 2021World's Greatest PlacesTIME
  8. 2020#1 Beach in the U.S., #11 in the WorldTripadvisor Travelers' Choice
  9. 2019#6 Beach in the U.S.Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice
  10. 2017#1 Beach in AmericaDr. Beach
  11. 2017#1 Beach in the U.S.Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice
  12. 2015#1 Beach in the U.S.Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice
  13. 2011#1 Beach in AmericaDr. Beach

Nature's own spa

One walk on this beach and you feel it: shoulders drop, breathing slows. The 99% quartz sand is soft as powder and cool underfoot, gently polishing skin with every step. Warm, mineral-rich salt water soothes tired muscles, the sea breeze clears the mind, and the rhythm of the waves does the rest.

Hidden gem of Siesta Key

Midnight Pass, Reborn.

At the wild south tip of Siesta Key lies one of the island's most remarkable stories. For 41 years Midnight Pass was closed. Then, in the fall of 2024, two hurricanes opened it again, reconnecting the Gulf with Little Sarasota Bay and bringing a quiet, natural paradise back to life.

At the south tip of Siesta Key, below Gulf Gate
Aerial view of Midnight Pass: a boat crossing the clear green inlet between mangrove islands, with Siesta Key's white beach and the Gulf beyond
Midnight Pass from above, open again between the mangroves and the Gulf
  1. For centuries

    A natural gateway

    Tides flowed freely between the Gulf and Little Sarasota Bay through this inlet at the south end of Siesta Key.

  2. 1983

    The pass is closed

    As the shifting inlet crept north, it was filled in to stop erosion, cutting off the bay from the Gulf for four decades.

  3. 2024

    Nature reopens it

    Hurricanes Helene and Milton carved Midnight Pass open again in a matter of weeks, and locals turned out to celebrate.

  4. 2025

    Here to stay

    Sarasota County decided to keep the pass open, and clearer water is already flowing back into the bay.

What's swimming in Little Sarasota Bay

  • Snook
  • Redfish
  • Spotted sea trout
  • Sheepshead
  • Gray snapper
  • Spanish mackerel
  • Gag grouper
  • Mullet
  • Pinfish
  • Blue crab
  • Pink shrimp
  • Manatees
  • Dolphins
  • Paddleboard the passLaunch a paddleboard or kayak from Turtle Beach Park, where rentals and guided tours are available, and glide south to the pass across calm, clear water.
  • Sea life in the mangrovesDrift through mangrove tunnels and look down for fish, crabs, rays and manatees, with herons and ospreys overhead.
  • Boat the inletExplore the new channel and sandbars by boat, and check local conditions first, since the pass is still shifting.
  • Wild, quiet shoresTidal pools, shifting sandbars, wading birds and dolphins: the most untouched corner of the island.

Stay here

Our Siesta Key Homes

A family favorite

Siesta Key

Sweetwater

5 bedrooms · 4.5 baths · sleeps 12

Easy bike ride to Siesta Key Beach, cruiser bikes included

Your own private island villa, fully renovated in 2026. Three king en-suites and four and a half baths welcome up to 12, with a heated saltwater pool, spa and waterfall glowing beneath the palms. Sip coffee on the sky deck at sunrise, gather by the fire table under the stars, and bike to America's number one beach.

  • Private heated pool
  • 3 king en-suites
  • Hot tub
  • Golf cart onsite to rent
  • Fire pit
  • Pet friendly

4.9 out of 5

Thoughtfully stocked

Siesta Key

Village House

4 bedrooms · 2 baths · sleeps 8

Walk to Siesta Key Village and the beach

Island life at your doorstep, on a quiet canal in the heart of Siesta Key Village. Stroll to the sand, the shops and live music every night, then come home to a heated pool, a hot tub and a covered outdoor kitchen made for long, lazy evenings. Kayaks and a paddleboard wait for golden morning paddles.

  • Private heated pool
  • On a canal
  • Hot tub
  • EV charger
  • Single level
  • Pet friendly

5.0 out of 5

Life in Siesta Key

Everything We Love About Siesta Key.

Beach mornings, afternoons on the water and nights full of music.Here is how we spend our days on the island.

  • Beach days

    Sand that is 99% quartz, cool underfoot and soft as flour, with calm, clear water for floating.

  • Boating and dolphins

    Cruise the bays and the Intracoastal, where dolphins are a common sight alongside the boat.

  • Jet skis and paddleboards

    Rent a jet ski for an afternoon of speed, or paddle the calm back bays at sunrise.

  • Live music nightly

    Bands play in Siesta Key Village every night of the week, steps from dinner.

  • Gulf sunsets

    Every evening ends with a show, and the Sunday drum circle turns it into a celebration.

  • Bikes and the free trolley

    Pedal to the beach or hop on the free Siesta Key Breeze trolley that runs the length of the island.

Siesta Key after dark

Live Music Every Night of the Week.

When the sun goes down, Siesta Key Village comes alive. Live bands play every night of the week, from easygoing acoustic sets on open-air patios to full bands that keep the dance floor going late. It is one of the things we love most about the island, and one of the first things our guests fall for.

  • Live bands every night

    Open-air patios and beach bars in Siesta Key Village, a walk or bike ride from our Siesta Key homes.

  • Sunset first

    Watch the sun melt into the Gulf from the sand, then follow the music into the Village.

  • The Sunday drum circle

    A beloved Siesta Beach tradition at sunset, where everyone is welcome to dance.

Your Siesta Key Guide

The beach

Siesta Key Beach is a public Sarasota County beach with fine quartz sand. In busy months, arrive in the morning.

Dining

Siesta Key Village has casual seafood spots, tiki bars and sit-down restaurants close together. Hours change, so check before you go.

Outdoors

Away from the beach, you can kayak or paddleboard around the island. Ask your host where to rent gear.

Getting around

SRQ is 20 to 25 minutes by car. The village is walkable, but groceries and mainland Sarasota are easier with a car.

Host picks

Where we eat and play in Siesta Key

Our own favorites, from date-night dinners to golf cart rentals. More picks are on the Sarasota page.

Eat and drink in the village

Fine dining

  • Summer House Host favorite

    Upscale steak and seafood with exceptional service in an elegant setting.

  • Ophelia's on the Bay

    Waterfront dining with fresh seafood, steaks and big sunset views.

  • Flavio's Brick Oven & Bar

    Italian with homemade pastas, wood-fired specialties and a long wine list.

Casual favorites

  • Old Salty Dog Siesta Key Village and Lido Key

    A local institution for seafood, burgers and waterfront dining.

  • Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB)

    Fresh oysters, good appetizers and live entertainment every night.

  • MVP Sports Bar

    Burgers, cold drinks and plenty of TVs for the big game.

  • Pi Pizza

    Handcrafted pizzas in a relaxed setting.

Breakfast and coffee

  • Sun Garden Café

    One of the area's most popular breakfast and brunch spots.

  • MOJO Risin' Coffee Co.

    Locally roasted coffee, fresh pastries and breakfast.

Live music and nightlife

After dark

  • Blasé Café & Martini Bar Siesta Key Village

    Live bands, martinis and cocktails.

  • Gilligan's Island Bar Siesta Key Village

    A big tiki bar with live music every evening.

  • Casey Key Tiki Bar

Rentals and getting around

Bikes and kayaks

  • Siesta Key Bike & Kayak Rental

    Ask for Lance at the South Bridge location.

Boats and jet skis

  • CB's Saltwater Outfitters

    Boat and jet ski rentals, fishing charters, tackle and local fishing advice.

Golf carts

Free trolley

  • Frog Hop Trolley

    Free rides around Siesta Key. Call for a pickup; tips are appreciated.

    844-376-4467

Beach and groceries

The beach

  • Siesta Key Beach Host favorite

    Regularly ranked among the world's best beaches for its soft white quartz sand and clear Gulf water.

Groceries

  • Morton's Siesta Market

    A handy grocery store in Siesta Key Village.

Questions

Should I fly into Sarasota (SRQ) or Tampa (TPA) for Siesta Key?

Both work well. Sarasota-Bradenton International (SRQ) is the closest, about 20 to 25 minutes by car depending on traffic, so you can be on the sand the same afternoon you land. Tampa International (TPA) is about an hour and 20 to 30 minutes away and often has more nonstop flights and airlines, so it is worth comparing fares for your dates. Once you book, we will happily share tips for the drive in and where to stock up on the way.

How far is the beach from your Siesta Key homes?

Both homes are right on the island. From Village House, the Village and the sand are a short, easy walk. From Sweetwater, Siesta Key Beach is an easy bike ride, with cruiser bikes waiting for you at the house. Your exact address arrives with your booking confirmation, along with everything you need to settle in.

Do I need a car on Siesta Key?

A car is helpful for the airport, groceries and trips to the mainland, but once you are settled, many guests barely touch it. The Village is walkable, the bikes make beach runs effortless, and the free Siesta Key Breeze trolley runs the length of the island. Both homes have free parking right on the property.

When is the best time to visit Siesta Key?

There is no wrong time, only different moods. January through April is peak season, with the most reliable sunshine and March the busiest month. Late spring and fall are quieter, with warm water and easier beach parking. Summer brings the warmest Gulf water and short afternoon showers, and hurricane season runs June through November. Tell us your dates and we will happily share what to expect.

Where do we park for Siesta Key Beach?

The public beach has a large free lot that fills early in season, so aim to arrive before about 9:30 AM. The beach park also has restrooms, outdoor showers, a playground and a snack bar, which makes for an easy full day on the sand. Or skip parking altogether and ride the free Siesta Key Breeze trolley.

Is Siesta Key good for families?

Wonderfully so. Siesta Beach has lifeguards on duty, soft sand that stays cool under little feet, gentle water on most days, and a playground and restrooms at the beach park. Our homes add heated pools, beach chairs, umbrellas and toys, and plenty of room for everyone to spread out. Traveling with little ones? Let us know and we will help you plan.

Where can we hear live music on Siesta Key?

Siesta Key Village has live bands every night of the week at its open-air bars and restaurants, all within a few walkable blocks, so dinner can roll right into dancing. On Sundays, the drum circle gathers on Siesta Beach at sunset, and everyone is welcome to join in.

What should we pack?

Less than you think. Every home is stocked with beach chairs, umbrellas and toys, beach and pool towels, shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion, and a fully stocked kitchen with coffee and seasonings. Bring your swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses and a light layer for breezy evenings, and we will take care of the rest.

What is Midnight Pass?

Midnight Pass is the natural inlet at the south tip of Siesta Key, connecting the Gulf with Little Sarasota Bay. Closed in 1983, it was reopened by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, and Sarasota County has decided to keep it open. Kayak or paddleboard there from Turtle Beach Park for one of the wildest, most peaceful corners of the island.