Hello,
I am looking for suggestions for central Florida gulf coast locations. We are looking for a nice beach. We have been to Treasure Island and didn't care for the beach because it was too rough. Some places I am interested in knowing about are Clearwater Beach, Siesta Key, and Sarasota. Are these beaches any better? Any other location suggestions? Thanks for any suggestions and activities to do at these locations. =]

Well, I live on the central Florida Gulf Coast (Tampa Bay and St Pete area) and I have been up and down the coast many times. In general, most of the public beaches are very similar. The main difference is whether they are wider or narrower in some spots. I will add that you generally won't find the deep, sugary sand that is in many places along the north Gulf Coast, but I don't find the beaches to be "rough" whatever that means.

Your best bet is to go to an island type community. You say you have already been to Treasure Island and don't like it. I would suggest Anna Maria and Sanibel as good candidates for what you might like. Good luck.

Depending on your budget, you could also consider Longboat Key (south of Anna Maria - with closer access to Sarasota facilities). Siesta Key is just south of that - more built up with stores, restaurants, etc., but still with nice beaches. I love these beaches and wonder, too, how you define "rough."

Thank you for your responses. I guess I needed to be more specific with " rough"! I guess I am used to the sugary sand (soft to walk on)and not with the shells and such in it. I hope that helps =] Also, we may be somewhat tainted from our experience at Treasure Island because of the awful red tide while we visited!

If you like white, talcum powder sand beaches then you'll probably fall in love with Longboat Key, Siesta Key, and Anna Maria Island. They are the three barrier island off Sarasota and they are "gorgeous".

Longboat Key near Sarasota is a good option! I personally love Tampa Bay and St. Pete...

Fort Desoto State Park near Tampa and Clearwater is beautiful.
The beach and the water are just great-you can take a picnic and spend the day.

I too am trying to figure out what is meant by the beach being rough. Perhaps that refers to the water or wave action? If so, then it was a very temporary condition -- storm at sea or something like that. Normally the water is almost as smooth as glass -- well, with some 3 to 6 inch "waves". Personally, I always thought Treasure Island was one of the nicest beaches on the West coast.

You probably know this already, but just to remind you - the presence or absence of shells AND red tide depends entirely on winds, currents, and weather.

My favorite walking beach is South Lido Park (other side of St. Armands from Longboat, no swimming) and some days it's awash with shells, some days it's naught but sand. But that's partly because it curves around to accommodate a pass between it and Siesta Key and catches shells moving with changing currents and tides. Longer reaches, on the north-south beaches, may have fewer shells. Sanibel is known for its shelling - again, an island with currents and eddies to bring them around.

Unfortunately, no one can predict red tide blooms, and they can hit anywhere along that coast. You just have to be lucky.

One great thing about the beaches of Sarasota -- the sand stays cool to the touch, no matter how hot the sun. I've never found this anywhere else. We usually go to the Siesta Key Beach, because it is nearest to where we stay. My wife had collected some great shells there, but as mentioned above, it all depends on the day. I am under the impression that Longboat Key has less public access than Siesta, but I may be wrong. Of course if you are staying at a hotel on the beach it makes no difference.

Siesta Key is definitely what you want. No question in my mind. The best part is the fact that you can walk just about the whole length of the island as all the beach is public.

Red tide can happen. No predicting when it arrives and how long it sticks around. That's true for the entire coast. Summer is the most likely time and sometimes it effects south end of the coast, sometimes central coast and sometimes the north coast. Can't really predict where and when it may show up.

Do not go to Sanibel or Captiva islands if you don't like shell beaches. As much as I love these islands, you pretty much have to wear swim shoes just to walk on the beach. Very rough.

Siesta Key has white soft sandy beaches. There will be few shells here and there but mostly it's pure sand.

Another vote for Siesta Key. I've been to many of the Florida beaches and this is the best. Ive also been to nearby Lido and Longboat and Siesta Key has the nicest beach.

Siesta Key looks great! Any suggestions where to stay or things to do?

We have stayed at a few places on Siesta Key. Siesta Dunes is our favorite. They are 2 bedroom, 2 bath condos located right on the Gulf. All of the units we have seen are modern and well maintained. The property is well kept with a pool, hot tub and a sun deck right on the beach.

This is another vote for Siesta Key! While I can't opine authoritatively about places to stay (I live nearby), I suggest for things to do you consider in the Sarasota area visiting: (1) Ringling Museum, (2) Mote Marine, (3) Historic Spanish Point, (4) Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and (5) Jungle Gardens (zoo). You may want to visit, shop, and dine in Siesta Village (near the beach), downtown Sarasota (including Burns Court), and St. Armand's Circle.

If you enjoy the performing arts, while you are here you will have many world-class options from which to choose.

Enjoy!

Fam5, I understood what you meant about Treasure Island being "rough." I was there just once, and although the water is beautiful, the sand very coarse and rough. Not a soft spot to be found. And I've been to Sanibel and Captiva many times. Yes, it's rough to walk on all the shells there, but you can walk above the shell line and find nice sand. I'm even a big fan of the Atlantic side, which has coarser sand than the gulf beaches.

I love to go to Florida after a rough Buffalo winter, and I spend most of my time walking barefoot in the and. Love that feeling. Just not on TI.

Longboat is nice. I've never been to Siesta, but it's on my list. Have fun!

Siesta is a very nice , wide beach with soft sand. More bohemian in feel, super casual, with many small hotels although I've never stayed in one. Longboat Key also has a nice, wide beach, lots of well to do retirees and many condos and golf courses. Not a party town and very limited public access unless you're staying at a hotel on the key. A few good choices are Longboat Key Club (a resort with a pool,tennis courts and many activities) and a moderately priced Hilton in the middle of the key. Anna Maria Island is right across the bridge from the north end of Longboat Key (where I live)and is a lot of fun for families with more beachfront activities and water sports but the hotels look small and independantly owned, no highrises like on south Longboat Key. If you have a car, you could base in Longboat Key and drive ten minutes along the gulf to check out Anna Marie island. Plenty of public parking. Siesta Key also has public beach access but a little more traffic.

fam5?