Turtle Beach (Siesta Key)
Turtle Beach
A quiet beach at the south end of Siesta Key. Its sand is mixed with shell fragments, making it good for shell hunting, fishing, and sunsets. It is much less crowded than the main beach.
Turtle Beach lies at the south end of Siesta Key. Unlike the flour-white sand of Siesta Beach to the north, the sand here is coarser and darker, with many shells mixed in. It is a great place to hunt for shells and shark teeth. The beach is named for the loggerhead sea turtles that come ashore to nest in summer. The beach is narrow and the waves are a little rougher, so it draws noticeably fewer visitors and suits anyone who wants to avoid crowds. Nearby are a picnic area, a beachside restaurant, and a kayak launch that leads into the lagoon behind the beach. Parking is free but limited. During nesting season, do not turn on lights on the beach at night or disturb turtle nests.
Opening hours
06:00–24:00
Nearby sights
- Historic Spanish Point
- Siesta Key Beach
- Oscar Scherer State Park
- Lido Key Mangrove Tunnels
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
- St. Armands Circle
- Lido Key Beach
- Bayfront Park & Unconditional Surrender