Sarasota Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

Sarasota Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

Other Guides for Sarasota

Parks and Outdoors Destinations Near Sarasota

Travel Guides Near Sarasota

Southeast Parks and Outdoors States/Provinces

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Sailing on the Sarasota Bay, Florida
Sailing on the Sarasota Bay, Florida (courtesy, Visit Florida)
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Sarasota Parks and Outdoors Travel Tips

By Mike Sigalas
  • For pier fishing, try City Pier on Anna Maria Island in the bay or the Venice Pier at Brohard Beach on the gulf. The Tony Saprito Pier offers good fishing, but the traffic noise makes this pier my least favorite in the area.
  • Siesta Key is home to the best surf fishing in the Sarasota area. Buy some bait (sand fleas work best), head out to Point of Rocks, Sunset or Turtle beaches, and prepare to pull in some pompano.
  • If you'll be fishing with a licensed charter captain, you don't need a saltwater fishing license. Otherwise, non-Florida residents ages 16 and up must carry a license with them, or risk a fine. Licenses run $17 for three days, $30 for a week, and $47 for a year. If you're after snook and crawfish, you'll need to request the appropriate stamps, which run an extra two dollars each.
  • Boat rentals are available at a number of spots in greater Sarasota—one of the biggest is the straightforwardly named Sarasota Boat Rental. They rent boats for the gulf, the ICW, and the bays, and can provide a professional guide, if needed.
  • Though some fishing—black drum and snook, for instance—is seasonal, barracuda, flounder, grouper, mangrove snapper, redfish, sheepshead, and Spanish mackerel can be hooked year-round.

Sarasota Travel Guide

Far enough away from Tampa Bay to have an identity very much its own, Sarasota is, surprisingly, one of Florida's cultural centers. In fact, many retirees spend their winters here because there's so much to keep them entertained and stimulated, including the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, home of the annual Asolo Theatre Festival. Sarasota also has an extensive array of first-class resorts, restaurants, and upscale boutiques. Read More

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Hotels

Hotel Ranola

118 Indian Place
Sarasota , FL 34236 Map

Distance: 0.3 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
4.0

Myakka State Park

13208 State Rd. 72
Sarasota, FL 34241 Map

Distance: 15.3 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
from: $97

Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel

1540 Ben Franklin Drive
Sarasota, FL 34236 Map

Distance: 3.3 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
4.0
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Attractions

Myakka River State Park

expert favorite attraction
9 miles east of I-75
13208 State Rd. 72
32241

Distance: 14.8 mi. (from destination center)

Description: For generations, Floridians have cherished Myakka River State Park for its opportunities to bird,... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

The Pier

expert favorite attraction
800 Second Avenue NE
St Petersburg, Florida 33701-3512

Distance: 30.8 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

The Pier is a festive waterfront dining-and-shopping complex overlooking Tampa Bay. Originally... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

South Florida Museum and Parker Manatee Aquarium

expert favorite attraction
On the riverfront, at Barcarrota Blvd. Bradenton
201 10th St. W
Bradenton, Florida

Distance: 11.5 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

The star at this downtown complex is Snooty, the oldest manatee born in captivity (1948) and... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0
All Sarasota Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Sarasota

Distance (mi.)
Tampa International Airport 43.6 map
Fort Myers Southwest Florida Regional Airport 72.8 map
Orlando International Airport 106.4 map

Other Smaller Airports near Sarasota

Distance (mi.)
Sarasota Bradenton Airport 4.6 map
Clearwater/St Petersburg International Airport 41.2 map
Orlando/Sanford Central Florida Regional Airport 127.0 map

Flight Deals to Sarasota

Originating From
Kansas City (MKC) to Tampa (TPA) $137
Baltimore (BWI) to Tampa (TPA) $146
Washington, DC (WAS) to Tampa (TPA) $156
Dayton (DAY) to Tampa (TPA) $166
Indianapolis (IND) to Tampa (TPA) $166

Feature Articles

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Trip Ideas

Sarasota Vacation Rentals

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PROP ID 539

Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 6
Amenities: Air Conditioning, Cable/Satellite TV, DVD Player, Dishwasher, Garage, Internet Access, Laundry, Microwave, Swimming Pool, TV
check rates
from: $485

Beautiful Lido Key home located on bay waterfront.

Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3.5
Sleeps: 8
Amenities: Air Conditioning, BBQ, Blender, CD Player, Cable/Satellite TV, Coffee Maker, DVD Player, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Full kitchen, Garage, Hot Tub, Internet Access, Laundry, Linens, Microwave, No Pets, Non-Smoking, Oven, Patio, Phone, Refrigerator, Screened porch, Stereo, Stove, Swimming Pool, TV, Toaster, Towels, VCR
check rates
from: $85

Two Bedroom Waterfront Triplex

Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1
Sleeps: 4
Amenities: Air Conditioning, BBQ, Balcony, Cable/Satellite TV, DVD Player, Full kitchen, Laundry, Linens, Non-Smoking, Oceanfront, Patio, Phone, Refrigerator, Swimming Pool, Wireless Internet Access
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Sarasota Parks and Outdoors Travel Guides

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