While visiting Siesta Key, being an outsider, you should be aware of some of the basic rules that apply for the beach access points at least. These include some policies regarding tent, umbrella, picnic, grill, alcohol, shelling, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, etc which are available and allowed on all of the public beach accesses of Siesta Key. On the other hand, campfires, staying at night, pets (on leash or off leash) are not allowed at all. Beach time is from 6 in the morning to midnight. Canoe, kayak, parking, and bike racks are available in only some of the specific public beach access points.
Siesta Key beaches consist of the whitest sand – up to 99% of quartz which makes it white as sugar and soft enough. Apart from that, the excellent view of the sunset of the Gulf of Mexico and the wildlife of Florida attracts a lot of tourists every year. This is a great place for spending your vacation on a beach. There are 14 public beach access points in total in Siesta Key. The surroundings of these beaches are amazingly tourist friendly and it offers a festive mode throughout the year. No need to mention that, you will get various options rather than just beach activities.
List of Siesta Key Beach Rules
After getting informed of the basic provisions that you need to know or be aware of before fixing your travel plan, it will be a lot easier for you to execute the plan more effectively. Therefore, know them yourself and know them thoroughly to avoid any unwanted sudden inconveniences!
Siesta Key Beach Tent Rules
Since, Siesta Key, Fl remains sunny all around the year, it’s wise to look for some shade while having your beach time in any of the public beach access points available in Siesta Key. Therefore, you are allowed to use a tent on any of the siesta key beach. However, it’s up to you how and where to rent or manage your tent. But if you are planning on renting one from around the beach, make sure a pre-booking!
Can You Grill on Siesta Key Beach
Yes, along with picnic facilities, grilling on your own is allowed at every Siesta Key Beach public access point. As simple as the picnic benches and tables, grilling equipment is not available in every spot. In that case, you need to bring your own accessories to enjoy your BBQ and grills.
Siesta Key Pet Policy
There are a few reasons not to allow dogs or any other pets on Siesta Key public beach access points. This is even laid down as a statutory provision. Any violation of that provision will cause you to encounter fines and even appear in court for a respective third-time violation. This provision restricts any pets in any public areas (beach, school premises, parks, playgrounds, etc.).
More to read:
Dogs/Pets Friendly Beaches Siesta Key
The reasons include keeping the beach the way it is (neat and tidy, tourists friendly), safety measures for both dogs and the beach sand, avoiding any fecal matter (animal waste), and preserving the local endangered wild species (bird and turtle). But you may take your pet (dogs or so) on a walk through the nearby trails for hiking, to dog parks, and dog-friendly restaurants, or even travel a little farther from Siesta Key (an hour to two hours ride) to get to a nearby dog-friendly beach.
Can You Drink on Siesta Key Beach? Alcohol Rules/ Policy
Alcohol is allowed on Siesta Key beaches, but no out-of-order behavior is welcomed. As a matter of fact, there are police patrols available on the beach. So, any trouble out of alcohol might cost you to face legal action.
On top of that, you are not allowed to carry any glass bottles or containers. Go for any cane or plastic containers. And, obviously, stay within your limit.
In essence, you can drink alcohol on Siesta Key Beach as long as you are not carrying any glass containers and keeping your stuff to yourself.
Can You Drink Beer on Siesta Key Beach? Beer Rules
As per the rules regarding drinking alcohol on Siesta Key beaches, the same goes for beer as well. And the only limitation remains in terms of carrying any glass containers. You must be old enough to drink and there you are, grab your beer canes and get your cooler, nobody will bother you for drinking beer on Siesta Key public beach access points.
Can You Smoke on Siesta Key Beach?
Smoking is prohibited under the statutory provision of Sarasota County. The reason is to keep the beach environment pollution free. The cigarette filter tip gets thrown everywhere if you let people smoke on the beach. That is harmful not only to the sugar-white quartz sand but also to the endangered wild species as well.
However, there are specific smoke zones or a fixed places in certain public beach access points of Siesta Key where you are allowed to smoke only. These designated areas include the entrance, parking lots, etc. Random smoking on beaches that are city-owned is not allowed at all.
Can You Get Married on Siesta Key Beach?
If you are looking for a destination wedding site on a beach, Siesta Key is a very competitive option for you. The beaches in Siesta Key hold hundreds of weddings all year round. You would be glad to know that, even people from abroad choose Siesta Key for their destination wedding.
The soothing view of the Gulf along with the sunny weather of Siesta Key is a great combo for your wedding. While choosing your spot, try to get a calmer place for having all the comforts. Siesta Key public beach access 3 is renowned among others for destination weddings.
Can You Ride Bikes on Siesta Key Beach
Bike riding is absolutely allowed and welcomed on the public beaches of Siesta Key as some of the points offer you bike racks as well. However, you may ride your bicycle/bike on the hard sand of the beaches.
Since the sand is very soft on these beaches, avoid bike riding too close to the water. That way you will be safer from encountering any unpleasant situation like the bike wheel getting stuck in the sand all of a sudden. Try early
Can You Fish on Siesta Key Beach?
On all of the beaches of Siesta Key, you can go fishing. But that will require a fishing license. And you can get one easily by contacting the authorities, even online. However, charges may vary based on age and duration of the license. And, obviously make contact prior to starting your trip.
Umbrella
As mentioned earlier, you need to have some protection for yourself to shade you from the bright sun on the Siesta Key beaches. In that way, there are no restrictions on using an umbrella or carrying it on your own in siesta key. It is recommended to carry one with you for any kind of emergency.
Campfire
Unfortunately, you are not allowed to set a campfire in any of the public beach access points in Siesta Key. The very basic reason for this is to maintain the cleanliness of these beaches.
As the beach sand is made of quartz mostly and the beaches are renowned for their amazing whitish and soft sand, they are supposed to keep it that way to prevent any sort of unwanted waste resulting in changes in the environment.
Picnic
A few of the public beach access points in Siesta Key offer picnic benches and tables. Therefore, you can grab any of the available ones and enjoy the beach picnic with your family and friends.
Worry not! If you choose any of the public beach access points without a picnic table or bench facility, you can bring in your own supporting materials to arrange your picnic on your own. You should consider taking your own mats or sheets to sit down and arrange shade for you with any tent or umbrella.
Playground
Only the main Siesta Key Beach and Turtle Beach offer separate playgrounds for both adults and kids. You may find tennis and volleyball grounds there.
Bike Racks
There are only a few beaches that offer bike racks. Other than that, you need to manage your bike on your own. Beach Access 4, 9, 10, 11, and 13 have bike racks
Shelling
Shelling is allowed on beaches in Siesta Key, Fl. Actually, sand dollars are found on the shores of Siesta Key. And, therefore, you are allowed to collect them as they appear on the shore but not before.
Turtle Beach is famous for shelling.
Swimming
Who doesn’t love and wish to swim when having beach time? And, here you can swim at every public beach access point. But, while swimming, take proper precautionary measures like swimsuits, fins (if needed), and so on. Be aware of the fact that lifeguards aren’t available at all of the beach points.
Therefore, you should be more cautious. Be aware of the tides sign indicating flags and their meanings.
Beach Access Duration
The public beach access points in Siesta Key are only accessible from 6 a.m. to midnight. Therefore, you are not allowed to sleep or stay at night on the beaches. Yet, you may hang around the beaches at night.
A thing to let you know is that Siesta Key is very much alive at night which requires mentioning the Siesta Village.
There are even restaurants that offer live music at night 7 days a week. And these arrangements are adorned with local singers, even featuring any star from time to time. These music fests are very lively and you can enjoy hanging out there with your friends or family.
Parking
Though parking facilities are not available with all of the public beach accesses, it should not be a problem for you. The reason is that there are nearby public parking lots where there is no parking facility with a beach.
On top of that, you may use parking with permission as well. Hence, there is Siesta Village’s parking facility, and the beaches around this place are a walking distance.
A little piece of advice is to try to reach early during the season of visiting Siesta Key to secure your parking easily. To make you more prepared, public beach access 3, 10, 11, and 13 has no parking lot. And public beach access 2 has only a single ADA parking facility.
Miscellaneous
Apart from the above-mentioned stuff, there are a few amazing things for you to know before visiting Siesta Key. You should be aware of the available kayak and canoe facilities at some of the beach points. There is also Sarasota Boat Tours that take you on a ride to experience the crystal clear water and sometimes dolphins and other ocean creatures as well. This boat tour allows pets on it.
You may even go snorkeling with proper equipment wherever you may find it available and safe. However, you should be aware of the beach signs at all times.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are coolers allowed on Siesta Key beaches?
Yes. You can bring in your own cooler on the beaches and enjoy your picnic in your way. But, ensure taking care of any waste materials and don’t leave them behind like an imbecile.
Can I drive on beaches in Siesta Key?
No personnel is allowed to drive any vehicle on the beaches in Siesta Key apart from the ones that are under permission given by the local government. The very reason is that the sand on these beaches is not stable enough to hold cars.
Can you have a fire on siesta key beach?
No, you can’t enjoy a bonfire on any of the Siesta Key public beach access points. The provision is laid to protect the whitest quartz sand of these beaches.
Can you go to siesta key beach at night?
You may access Siesta Key beach till the evening. As the beach access time remains 6 am to midnight, you cannot go and spend the night on Siesta Key beach.
Is it illegal to take sand from siesta key beach?
Though Florida doesn’t hold any state law to refrain you from taking sand off beaches, Sarasota County has its own provisions. This local law requires a permit from the respective authority to remove sand, dirt, or shell.
Final Words
It is recommended to pack as little as possible and go for light and bright outfits only, leaving any formal attire as Siesta Key remains sunny all around the year. Consider full sleeves for early morning and at night during winter only. Always try to keep updated about the forecast.
Lastly, be prepared to keep the obligatory rules of Siesta Key beaches in your mind and try to let go of any tiny or little changes in your expectations. Keep your body and soul together and let them go in the quiet, calm, and soothing environment of these beaches to feel the charm!
