I spent a week last month exploring 5 beaches on Florida’s gulf shore. Each beach was unique and has something different to offer. We stationed ourselves at Manasota Key and from there we explored beaches around Englewood, Venice and Siesta Key FL.
My goal for the week was to spend time with family, snorkel, find shark teeth and some cool shells. I was able to accomplish 4 of the 5….not too bad. We did not get any snorkeling done due to the storms that rolled in or stayed just offshore. In all my trips to the gulf this was the first time I encountered anything but calm and clear seas. BUT this did not dampen our enthusiasm or our sense of adventure. Each morning we packed our gulf carts or cars and headed to a beach.
Let’s take a quick look at how I spent my time at each beach.
Manasota Key Beach is known for while sand, blue gulf water and shark teeth. Yes that is right Manasota Key is one of the best places to find shark teeth. Choose spot on the beach to set up camp… your chairs, towels, cooler umbrella ect and get started hunting. You shark teeth hunter kit should include something to scoop up the loose and shells that line the shallow area where the gulf meets the beach and a ‘shifter” (colander or sand sifting toy) to deposit your sand and shells in. Once you have your sand and shells in your shifter let the treasure hunting begin. We found quite a few sharks teeth during our visits to the beach. We found some shells as well but our major shell score came at another beach. One the last day of our stay the gulf calmed enough that we were able to head out the sand bare and dive for sand dollars.
Practical things
Next, we loaded up the golf carts and headed to Blind Pass Beach. The drive was beautiful, and we saw a ton of birds and tortoises along the way. Bring what you need with you as there are no stores at this beach. This beach is haven for nesting sea turtle, and we saw a lot of nests roped off. The sand at this beach is not white but it is a great beach to relax at. We spent the day playing on the gulf and jumping the crazy waves the storms had blown up. You can find shark teeth at this beach was well, but we took the day off for treasure hunting and just relaxed.
Practical things
Caspersen Beach was our next stop. The day went the water was rough, so we spent all our time treasure hunting and we found some really nice shark teeth. This was where we scored big on shark teeth. This beach also is rockier than the others which was nice change but would not be great for small children who like to play in the shallows.
Practical things
Siesta Key beach—YAY!!! This beach has been voted the most beautiful beach in the US and for good reason. It is s HUGE white sand beach with clear blue water and is normally very calm. You can usually walk out into the gulf for quite a way and them swim to a sand bar. Well… again the storms kicked up waves and we were not able to make it the sand bar but we still enjoyed the beach and playing in the waves. We did not look for shells or shark teeth at this beach, we just sat back and enjoyed the beach, the gulf and the people. The beach is so large that you never feel like you are right on top of someone. There is ample room to play frisbee, can jam or football. The beach also has permanent sand volleyball nets set up for your use. For me the perfect way to cap of a day at Siesta Key beach is with a trip to the Daquiri Deck….. YUM
Practical things
Stump Pass Beach the last of the 5 beaches but differently not the least. This beach is a state park, it only 30 parking spots and they all go very quicky. There is a 3.00 Parking fee. So why Stump Pass? SHELLS!!!! At the end of the beach where the gulf meets the bay is where you will find some of the best shell hunting. Shells just line the beach in perfect condition. I am so mad at myself, I did not cart my camera on 1.3-mile hike to get to this area. Remember 1.3 miles to get there and 1.3 miles to get back to the beach entrance. So, anything you carry in you need to carry out. We took in water, towels, snorkel gear and shell bags. We had the whole area to ourselves and it was great. We gather shells, found sand dollars, donned our snorkel gear, and headed to where the gulf meets Lemon Bay Aquatic Reserve and searched for sand dollars. Our goal was to go in Lemons Bay and snorkel the sea grass flats and look for Manatees, but after we had spent so long shell collecting and hunting for sand dollars re decided to save this for our next visit. We knew we need to carry everything we brought in as well as the shells back the 1.3-mile hike. And believe me we had enough shells to fill at least 1 o if not 2 5-gallon buckets. The whole beach is great, and you can find shells without going to the end of the but the selection is just not as good.
Practical things
It was great week with a ton of exploring and I feel like I needed another week to do and see everything. I will be going back. Contact me if you would like to plan you gulf beach adventure.
