Lido Key Sarasota Beaches

North Lido Beach
North Lido Beach is located on Lido Key, one quarter mile northwest of St. Armands Circle, off of John Ringling Blvd.
The beach is easy to get to and very private. Please note that there are no lifeguards on duty at this beach and the currents are very swift.

Lido Beach


Lido Beach is located on Lido Key, one half mile southwest of St. Armand's Circle, on Ben Franklin Drive.

The beach's amenities include:

• rest rooms
• concessions
• gift shop
• meeting room
• playground equipment
• handicapped accessible observation deck
• beach umbrella and chair rentals
• parking for 400 cars
• heated swimming pool
  Pool open 10am-4:45pm Tues - Sun. $4/day for adults. $2/day children, ages 4-11 and seniors 55+ (tax included.)

The Seabreeze concession at Lido Beach serves very good food. Not your typical beach concession or greasy spoon that you might expect. All food is cooked to order. Hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, dogs, fries, etc. are available. Here is their fish taco special served weekly that includes fresh made guacomole and pico de gallo. Prices are very reasonable on all food items. In addition to food the concession serves beer & wine. Prices are lower than you will find at nearby beachfront hotel bars. The only restriction on alcohol on Sarasota beaches are no glass containers are permitted. Call in your food order ahead or from your beach chair 941-388-0400

The Lido Casino
For nearly 30 years the Lido Beach Casino attracted residents and tourists for pool and Gulf swimming, dining, dancing, shopping, and enjoying the beach. Activities such as swim meets, beauty pageants, and school and social events, were held here.
The exceptional Art Deco style casino, designed by renowned architect, Ralph Twitchell, was recognized in part for its cast concrete seahorses, glass block, and murals of tropical scenes.


The City of Sarasota acquired the necessary land from the John Ringling Estate and secured federal funds from the WPA for construction of the casino. More than 1,000 people attended the formal opening in December 1940. The city considered renovating the casino in the 1960's, but unfortunately had it torn down in 1969 and replaced it with a smaller building.

South Lido Park

South Lido Park is located on Ben Franklin Drive at the southern tip of Lido Key. The park is bordered by four bodies of water; The Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass, Sarasota Bay, and Brushy Bayou.
The southern beach portion of the park offers views of the skyline of downtown Sarasota and the Gulf. It features a picnic area shaded by Australian Pines.
At a separate facility at the north end of the park, visitors can enjoy a nature trail which includes scenic overlooks and boardwalks.

• The park's amenities include:
• rest rooms
• picnic tables
• cooking grilles
• playground equipment
• volleyball court
• nature trails
• observation tower and decks
• canoe trail

Lifeguards are on duty during weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

At beaches where lifeguards are on duty you'll find information on water conditions and temperatures.
Be sure to pay attention to the flags flying and their color: