Leffis Key

With a 3 miles stretch of fine, delicate sand along the Gulf of Mexico, Holmes Beach is an ideal setting for a shore hike. As you hike, frequent visits from bottlenose dolphins and manatees 20-30 yards offshore along with Great Blue Herons and Snowy Egrets lining the shoreline is commonplace. While the beach can get crowded during the day, the amount of people is much less than many of the surr...

With a pier stretching 100 feet into Tampa Bay, the Rod & Reel Pier is the perfect spot to be for sunrise. Located on the northern tip of Anna Maria island, the Pier itself is quite easy to get to and enjoy.There is a parking lot next to the pier which has plenty of space of park. Another option is to walk the beach from any of the beach access points on North Shore Drive. In walking the be...

Bean Point is the northernmost tip of Anna Maria Island. It is here where the waters of Tampa Bay and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico collide and is also arguably the best place on the island to view the sunset. Additionally, this stretch of beach front is usually less busy and populated than the easier to access beach fronts as you go further south on the island.There are a myriad of options ...

Egmont Key Sate Park is only accessibly by boat, so be sure to book ahead if you need a ride. Several tour companies offer relatively cheap rides to and from the island, paired with snorkeling excursions at the ruins on the west side of the island.The island ferry departs from Fort De Soto State Park, which is easily accessible and offers admission for only $5 per car. To make the most of your ...

Before entering South Lido County Park, take a left turn on Taft Drive for the kayak launch area. Parking is available at the end of the road. Multiple companies offer kayak and stand up paddle (SUP) rentals and tours at the launch site, but feel free to bring your own. Launch your kayak or SUP between mangroves into Sarasota Bay and continue South along the mangrove tunnels. Visit this website...

This 6.5 mile trailhead is actually located outside the main entrance, just north of the river off of US 301 S.  The park charges a $4 entrance fee and it is recommended that you enter the main park to use restrooms and/or refill water bottles as those facilities are nonexistent at the outside-the-park trailhead.  As you start the trail, if looking to complete the whole 6.5 miles, one is best ...