Venice Beaches...endless white sand holding treasures of the Ancient. Internationally known as the fossilized "Shark's Tooth Capital of the World," Venice Beaches are heaven for beach combers and vacationers. With Mediterranean architecture lining languid Gulf waters, flourishing date palms, and a bustling fishing pier, Venice Beach boasts a relaxed island lifestyle with no cruise ship necessary.
Venice Municipal Beach
DESCRIPTION
Venice Municipal Beach...A favorite spot for divers! Only a short walking distance from downtown, Venice Beach is a popular destination for a picnic or an afternoon stroll. With free parking, food concession, bathrooms, showers, shelter, two sand volleyball courts, a picnic area and boardwalks, there is something enjoyable for all ages. A coral reef is located about a quarter of a mile offshore, attracting a variety of marine life and beautiful coral species. Venice Beach is also known world-wide as being a diving hotspot for finding fossilized shark's teeth on the seafloor. Only 50 feet from your car to the water's edge, divers literally walk into the water from the shore to find their fossilized shark's teeth treasures!
Directions: 5.75 acres of public beach located on the west end on W. Venice Avenue
Paw Park
DESCRIPTION
Paw Park and South Brohard Beach...Where leashes aren't necessary and everyone gets along! Stretching along the Gulf is 22 acres of beach, an entire acre of which is designated specifically for our four-legged friends and their owners to enjoy the sand and the surf together. Being the only beach area in the county where dogs are allowed, Paw Park is the place to be daily from 7am to dusk, and is protected from traffic by fences with double gates. Amenities include picnic tables, benches, showers, fire hydrants and drinking fountains for both humans and dogs. The remaining beach is for humans only and is accessible by boardwalks. Parking is available at both beaches.
Directions: Located South of Sharkey's on the Pier at 1600 Harbor Dr. South.
North Jetty Park
DESCRIPTION
North Jetty Beach...one of the most exciting surfing beaches on the West Coast of Florida! With spectacular fishing and a constant stream of boats passing through the Intracoastal Waterway daily, there is always excitement on North Jetty Beach. Located on the tip of Casey Key, this is a favorite picnic spot where observers can enjoy all of the local action. Kids especially enjoy watching the larger fish as fishermen reel them in! North Jetty Beach has free parking, lifeguards, concessions, volleyball courts and picnic tables, showers and restrooms.
Directions: From US 41, turn Right at the third traffic light (Albee Road). Continue on Albee Road over the drawbridge and turn Left (south). North Jetty Beach is at the end of the island.
Englewood Beach
DESCRIPTION
Englewood Beach...Newly Renovated! On the southern tip of Manasota Key, Englewood's public beach was renovated not long ago with new sand, boardwalks, facilities, and a very large parking lot. Great for boating and fishing, don't forget to look for the signature seashell sculpture upon arrival!
Casperson Beach
DESCRIPTION
Casperson Beach...Uncultivated, windswept, wonderfully quiet...Two-thirds of this beachfront has been left in its natural state, and is wonderfully peaceful, even though it is not far off the beaten path. South of the Venice Airport on Harbor Drive, the nature trail, freshwater and saltwater marshes, mangrove areas, and tidal flats are a splendid surprise. (This is also a favorite spot amongst locals for finding fossilized shark's teeth!)
Directions: From Downtown Venice Island on Venice Avenue, turn left (south) on Harbor Drive South. Casperson Beach is at the end of the island.
Humphris Park
DESCRIPTION
Humphris Park...A great place to watch the sunset! On the South Jetty, this two mile expanse of park and beach is a popular spot for fishing and, in the right season, surfing. Humphris Park has all amenities needed for a great outing with picnic tables, benches, showers, restrooms and food concession so plan to make a day of it!
Location: The end of Tarpon Center Drive at the South Jetty
Service Club Park
DESCRIPTION
Service Club Park...where you can walk fascinating boardwalk paths over saw palmettos. The beach of Service Club Park gives locals the feeling that they're on vacation; the sand is darker and the vegetation surrounds the wooden boardwalks. Covered pavilions dot the walkways and are wonderful places to observe the wildlife below. Fossilized shark's teeth are also in abundance at Service Club Park on the beach and on the Gulf floor. This is a popular destination for scuba divers. Divers walk right into the water from the shore in their scuba gear and have a relaxing dive without the hassle of a boat or a lot of equipment. Large Megalodon shark's teeth can be found in the sandy Gulf floor right off of the beach. For those who prefer to stay on land, there are restrooms, showers, and grills and a sand volleyball court.
Location: From downtown Venice, turn left (south) onto Harbor Drive and drive about 1.25 miles. Service Club Park will be on the right where Harbor and Beach Road intersect.
Brohard Park
DESCRIPTION
Paw Park and South Brohard Beach...Where leashes aren't necessary and everyone gets along! Stretching along the Gulf is 22 acres of beach, an entire acre of which is designated specifically for our four-legged friends and their owners to enjoy the sand and the surf together. Being the only beach area in the county where dogs are allowed, Paw Park is the place to be daily from 7am to dusk, and is protected from traffic by fences with double gates. Amenities include picnic tables, benches, showers, fire hydrants and drinking fountains for both humans and dogs. The remaining beach is for humans only and is accessible by boardwalks. Parking is available at both beaches.
Directions: Located South of Sharkey's on the Pier at 1600 Harbor Dr. South.
Manasota Beach
DESCRIPTION
Manasota Beach...where you can lose the "background noise." On the Northern end of the island, you won't find any condominiums, restaurants, or business. Instead there is just sprawling beach as far as the eye can see with the occasional home nestled inconspicuously into a bed of vegetation. With lifeguards, facilities, fire pits and picnic tables this is a perfect daytrip locale for the family!
Nokomis Beach
DESCRIPTION
Nokomis Beach...Sarasota's oldest public beach. Heading west on Albee Road, Nokomis Beach is a conveniently located beach with free parking, concessions, lifeguards, restrooms, picnic tables and showers. A popular choice among beachgoers, Nokomis Beach is fun-filled and has a social atmosphere. Drum circles are held at sunset on Wednesday and Saturday where the beach comes alive with sonorous, tribal music and dance.
Directions: From US 41, turn Right at the third traffic light (Albee Road). Continue on Albee Road over the drawbridge. Nokomis Beach is straight ahead.
From I-75, take exit #195, and go west on Laurel Rd. to US 41. Turn Left (south) on US 41. Turn Right at the third traffic light (Albee Road). Continue on Albee Road over the drawbridge. Nokomis Beach is straight ahead.
