Lido Key & Siesta Key

Just off the coast of Sarasota, Florida is the beautiful barrier island of Lido Key which lies just north of Longboat Key, with St. Armands Key and Bird Key to the east, and Siesta Key in the southern region. This bright white sandy island features several beaches along the Gulf of Mexico as well as a frequented park called South Lido Park, which includes a woodland trail in addition to a beach. Often booked for private parties and weddings, Lido Key includes a significant amount of luxury development, like high-end hotels and beach houses that are geared toward the tourists. While Siesta Key is the more popular beach in the area with tourists (it’s been named the country’s number one beach ten years in a row), Lido Key tends to be regarded as the slower-paced, less crowded, more "private" beach. Siesta is located between the Gulf of Mexico and Roberts Bay and is made of four main districts: Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, Turtle Beach, and Siesta Key Village. The total area includes 3.5 square miles, of which 1.1 square miles are made up of water.