With a location of about 15 miles inland from the Florida Gulf Coast, the best beaches near Lakewood Ranch are easy to find.
Lakewood Ranch is a really cool place in itself. There’s everything you need, right in town. But most of us who move to Lakewood Ranch, chose it to be close enough to visit the beach often.
Not only do you have beaches, you have some of the best beaches in Florida! (Yes, I’m totally bias.)
The beaches from Anna Maria Island to Siesta Key are known for their wide beaches, white sand, frequent marine life sightings, and colorful clear waters.
With more than 23 public beach accesses in between, you have too many options to decide which ones to visit.
So, let me help you out. I’ve highlighted the 6 best beaches near Lakewood Ranch for you.
Best Beach Beaches Near Lakewood Ranch
- Bean Point Beach
- Manatee Public Beach
- Coquina Beach
- Longboat Key Beach
- South Lido Key Beach
- Siesta Beach
This beach list will help you get started. Then you can explore the additional beaches over time.
1. Bean Point Beach
Anna Maria, Florida
Bean Point is located on the north tip of Anna Maria Island where residents, Airbnb ers and snowbirds stay.
You’ll find the easy going local vibe and amazing views of the beach, the ocean water and the islands edge.
Bean Point was named after George Bean, the first permanent resident to live on Anna Maria. Bean Point Beach is part of his original property.
Just be warned, Bean Point Beach is hard to find at first and parking is even harder.
The beach entrance is just a small path nestled between beachfront homes with no parking. There is one sign marking the beach entrance and its rules.
Parking is very limited on the island and finding a parking spot near Bean Point is hard. (There’s one strip off the street before the entrance that fits a few cars but it fills up fast.)
You may be better off parking at Manatee Public Beach and taking the free trolley up to Bean Point. Pack light and enjoy the island tour.
But don’t judge the “book by its cover”! You’ll understand what all the hype is about when you get to the boardwalk. Bean Point Beach becomes slowly unveiled, one flip-flop step at a time.
Another warning, Bean Point is not the best for swimming or kids. There are strong rip currents here because of the location. It’s where two large bodies of water meet and the pull is straight out into the Gulf of Mexico.
If that scares you, then visit Bean Point in the evening for a sunset with your chair in the sand. You wont be disappointed.
How far is Lakewood Ranch from the beach?
2. Manatee Public Beach
Holmes Beach, Florida
If you like the hustle and bustle of the beach with a bunch of amenities, then Manatee Public Beach is your go to beach.
This beach is in Holmes Beach which is on the same island as Anna Maria. Manatee Beach parking is straight ahead when you get on the island from 64 W.
Manatee Public Beach has parking, a beach cafe with beachfront dining, gift shop, chair and umbrella rentals, lifeguards, bathrooms, outdoor showers, beach volleyball courts, and regular live music from local bands and venues. You can lounge on the beach, listen to waves, and enjoy the live music every night until 10 p.m.
Of course, you’ll find access to a beautiful stretch of the island’s beach with white sand to sink your toes in and crystal clear water to see the ocean floor.
Due to its popularity, the Manatee Public Beach tends to get busy quickly. So, it’s best to get there before 9 a.m. if you want easy parking and a great spot on the beach.
But this beach has all the action, fun and beach amenities to make your beach day a pleasurable one.
Estimated beach travel times from Lakewood Ranch and stops along the way
3. Coquina Beach
Bradenton Beach, Florida
Coquina Beach is another great beach near Lakewood Ranch. (And is one of my personal favorite beaches to visit!)
You’re still on the same 7 mile island with Holmes Beach and Anna Maria. But, now you’re in Bradenton Beach on the very south end of island. (With Bean Point Beach being on the very north end.)
This part of the island is a little more slower paced like Bean Point.
Coquina Beach has similar amenities as Manatee Public Beach. But you’ll find more of it.
More parking spaces, more beach front space, a beach cafe with beachfront dining, trees and shaded areas, picnic tables, grills, picnic pavilions, chair and umbrella rentals, lifeguards, bathrooms, outdoor showers, beach volleyball courts, paved multi-purpose trail and bike racks.
Coquina Beach is a big beach park area with a North and a South. You’ll find plenty of beach spots to explore here. This beach is better for swimming and kids as it’s pretty shallow for a way out.
There are still strong currents down by the south end of Coquina Beach on the island’s south edge. Be sure to stay inside the designated swim buoys and don’t go outside of the south jetty.
I’ve personally gotten out my snorkel gear here. I didn’t see much marine life (except for small fish and minos) that particular day, but I still enjoyed exploring the underwaters.
The south side can be a little less crowded than the north end, but the Lifeguard tower is at the North end if you want help monitoring your swimmers.
Coquina Beach is a great place to relax on the beach with the entire family or just yourself for a temporary break in what may be heaven on earth.
How far is Lakewood Ranch from the beach?
4. Longboat Key Beach
Longboat Key, FL
Longboat Key Beach is 12 miles of white Sandy beach for you to explore along the Gulf of Mexico. Longboat Key is a separate barrier island south of Anna Maria Island.
This beach environment is more laid back and low key compared to the Anna Maria Island beaches.
its for those who love the beach but don’t want the big crowds. Because Longboat Key is filled with a mix of residents, retirees, and vacationers.
You will find 12 different public gulf-side beach access points, most with dedicated parking spots but fewer beach amenities.
I’ve personally been to the Longboat Key Beach access point at 100 Broadway Street. There are about 31 parking spots there.
The 100 Broadway Street beach spot is low-key, and not as many people since there is limited parking. (There will be people from local condos and homes nearby, though.) So you need to get here early because these spots fill up fast. By 9 am is the target timeframe to aim for.
If you get here and find no available parking, continue going south down Gulf of Mexico Drive. You have about 10 more beach access points with limited parking options. (2 of the 12 beach accesses don’t have parking.)
Worst case scenario, park at Bayfront Park (which is on the Bayside) and then walk across the street to the beach on the gulf side. You can take advantage of the park’s parking spaces, and bathrooms along with the other park amenities.
Estimated beach travel times from Lakewood Ranch and stops along the way
5. South Lido Key Beach
Sarasota, FL
Lido Key is another barrier island in Sarasota, nestled in between Longboat Key and Siesta Key. It’s known for its beaches and St. Armands Circle.
Lido Key has 3 beach areas:
- North Lido
- Lido Beach (in the middle of island)
- South Lido
South Lido Key Beach is the quieter, less crowded beach.
It’s part of Ted Sperling Park, which has tons of amenities including walking trails, mangroves, restrooms, picnic tables, a pavilion, shaded park areas (to get out of the hot sun for a few), and a rinse area.
South Lido Key Beach Park on the Gulf is nestled on the very end of the island where you can walk to the beach on the gulf side. You’ll have access to public restrooms and a dedicated parking lot for your car.
The gulf-side beach access is a little of a walk from the parking lot. If walking will be an issue, you can always hang out on the beach on the bayside, with a view of Bay Island.
Or you can always try North Lido Key Beach at the island’s north end.
But I chose to list South Lido Beach here because it is a beach fan favorite for hanging out with family and experiencing clear waters, great for snorkeling and shell hunting.
How far is Lakewood Ranch from the beach?
6. Siesta Beach
Sarasota, FL
Siesta Key Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Florida. It’s been featured as a top beach in the US and worldwide.
Siesta Key is an eight-mile barrier island located south of Lido Key. It’s known for its wide and sandy beaches, national attention and recognition, and multiple beach accesses.
The most popular beach spot in Siesta Key is Siesta Beach. Here you’ll find the most people, the most action, and the most amenities.
Multiple parking lots (to hold about 200 cars), concession stands, food and drink for purchase, kid’s playground, restrooms, multiple pavilions for sun shelter, picnic tables, multiple beach access points, lifeguards, beach wheelchairs, chairs and umbrellas rentals, beach volleyball nets and tennis courts.
Siesta Beach is where you go to experience the beach as an attraction (not just a destination), beach crowds, and hipness.
If you want less crowds, go south to Turtle Beach, with fewer amenities and fewer people.
And that’s your 6 best beaches near Lakewood Ranch.
Try these out, and let me know what you think. I’d love to hear about your experience.
