Beat the Heat: The Best Sarasota Summer Activities

Florida gets hot come summertime—but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of ways to beat the heat! From outdoor adventures to beachside excursions, there are plenty of ways to stay cool and enjoy some summer sunshine in Sarasota.

Here are some of our favorite Sarasota summer activities.

Beach Excursions

beautiful beach in sarasota in the summer

It’s Florida—you’ve gotta get to the beach! Sarasota’s beaches are known for their beautiful fine-grain white sand, their gentle turquoise waves, and their miles of quiet real estate. Our beaches are perfect for sandcastles, scenic strolls, and nice, cooling swims.

Some of our favorite beaches? Siesta Key, Venice Beach, and Lido Beach, just to name a few!

Scenic Mangrove Paddling

paddling through scenic mangroves in sarasota in the summer

If you want a tranquil, scenic, and cool adventure, then the mangroves are a great place to go. Grab a kayak and head for the launch in South Lido Park. From there, you can explore a small network of paddling trails through shady mangroves and discover a completely unique ecosystem of fish and mollusks. You might even see a manatee!

Sea Turtle Stake-Outs

baby sea turtle in sarasota

No, really! During the month of July, the Longboat Key Turtle Watch hosts Saturday morning walks along Longboat Key beach to search out sea turtle tracks. The goal of these walks is to stake out fresh sea turtle nests in order to protect them from beach visitors.

Sarasota Museum Tours

ringling circus museum in sarasota

If you just need to get out of the heat (or perhaps some rare clouds have brought a rainy day), Sarasota has plenty of museums and historic sites for a little indoor entertainment. The Ringling Museum is a full day of exploration that includes art galleries and exhibits. The Osprey’s Historic Spanish Point is an indoor/outdoor museum with a walking tour and archeological exhibits. The Mote Marine and Aquarium is another favorite—it’s a combo scientific research and rehab center and an educational aquarium.

TreeUmph! Treetop Adventures

ziplining in sarasota

Just outside of Sarasota in neighboring Bradenton, TreeUmph! really is a unique adventure. This “treetop adventure course” features ziplining, climbing, and more. Best of all, there are courses for all ages and skill levels—from kids to serious climbers—so you can bring the whole family.

Sarasota’s Finest Fishing

fishing in sarasota

Fishing is pretty big in Sarasota, and it’s not hard to see why—we’ve got a ton of great fishing spots all around the area. You can fish right from the shore, from a dock, from a boat, or even out on the open ocean (or Gulf) on a deep-sea fishing charter. There are a number of fishing piers around Sarasota, but just about any dock or body of water makes for a good spot to drop a line.

Eco-Tours & Wildlife Viewing

viewing wildlife in sarasota

Want to get up close and personal with the Sarasota wildlife? Try an eco-tour! You can set your own itinerary to include everything from birdwatching to scuba diving to kayaking to manatee-watching. It’s an adventure completely unique to the Gulf coast.

Ready to Come Have Some Fun in Sarasota?

If you’re considering relocating to, retiring to, or buying a vacation home in the Sarasota area, then it’s time to contact The Kotaska Team. We’re here to help you explore the area, discover its fantastic communities, and find the perfect home for your needs.

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