Viewing points Group activities Romance & Special Occasions Culinary & Nightlife Water Sports Ecotourism Outdoor Sports Music Activities Beaches Golf Outdoor Activities Manasota Key is a gorgeous beach and eco-destination south of Sarasota and Venice, where you can visit seldom beautiful and nestled areas of the beach and eco-habitat without the inconvenience of a well-built beach; no overcrowding, rough parking, and not even some of the rarely long waits, typical of busier beach diners/bars, for your po'boy sandwiches and margaritas.

To get there you have to travel to Sarasota Bradenton Intl Airport (SRQ) and travel south by car or bus for about 37 miles.

The Manasota Key area is best known for its little-known beaches. There are a number of these secluded beaches in the city, including Manasota Beach, Blind Pass Beach, Englewood Beach (maybe the best known of these beaches), and Stump Pass Beach. One of the least busy beaches in Sarasota County offers tourists an opportunity to pretend that the entire beautiful beach is just their own private beach for a moment.

A bit further from the simpler relaxation rituals of the cove, an authentic Floridian ecological mystery awaits you as a collection of secrets inside secrets. Stump Pass Beach Park at the southern end of Manasota Key is an idyllic location for camping, picnicking, wildlife-seeking explorations where you can catch a glimpse of the dolphin, the West Indian Manatee, or the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (one of the most abundant locations in the world) in March.

If you want some expert help in finding all the most fascinating hidden wildlife spots, hire Seashore Eco Tours or Lemon Bay Tours to show you around; you can get guided paddleboard or kayak jaunts underway with help from these professional adventurers, and see the seafloor up close.

If you'd rather enjoy your outdoor leisure time on dry land, consider playing a few holes at the Oyster Creek Golf Club, or hiking and/or biking on Manasota Main Lane.

There are a few choices for casual Tiki-style blending of distinct Manasota Key flavors for nightlife and cocktails to achieve this chilly sunset. Check out the live water music at the White Elephant Pub and try one of their blue cheeseburgers, or consider visiting the Flounder's Restaurant and Tiki Bar for a cold beer to drink between your lobster rolls and shrimp tacos.