The new Beach Pass feature on Visit Sarasota County’s free app profiles three Siesta Key beaches and 17 others in Sarasota County. (Photo courtesy of Visit Sarasota.com)
By Jane Bartnett
Siesta Key is home to three of the 20 beaches that Visit Sarasota County has profiled on its free Visit Sarasota County app and new Beach Pass feature. The app is available from the Apple Store or Google Play.
A visit to the Beach Pass feature allows the visitor to discover Siesta Key’s Siesta Beach, Turtle Beach, and Palmer Point Beach. A quick swipe of the finger brings the reader a wealth of information that includes directions to the beaches, park hours, a description of the special attributes of each beach, details on attractions, restaurant listings, outdoor activities, nightlife, shopping, and sports events.
The Siesta Beach Beach Pass profile pays tribute to the No. 1 beach in America, as designated by many travel-related organizations, and notes that it’s the only Siesta Key beach that has lifeguards on duty every day. A full list of the many amenities to be found at Siesta Beach and a detailed description of its rich history makes this a must read for visitors and locals alike.
Looking for a more secluded off-the-beaten-path kind of beach? Check the Beach Pass feature and discover the many wonders of Turtle Beach. Favored by many locals, Turtle Beach is tucked away at the south end of the Key and located at the far end of Midnight Pass Road. Its name pays tribute to the many turtles that nest there.
Turtle Beach amenities include a parking lot, boat ramp, canoe and kayaking launches, as well as outdoor showers and restrooms.
Head south from Turtle Beach on foot or by boat and there lies a sandy secluded spot called Palmer Point Beach. The Beach Pass feature on the VSC app lists the address as 9399 Blind Pass Road. No facilities or public parking are available but there’s plenty of nature to be enjoyed at this southernmost Siesta Key beach.
Designed to encourage visitors and local residents alike to explore the beaches of Siesta Key, as well as the 17 other beaches that make up Sarasota County’s 35-plus miles of coastline, the Beach Pass feature on the app also features a gaming component. Visitors have a chance to win prizes when logging in and visiting one beach or more.
Author: Siesta Sand