Siesta key beach

[sierra1410]

Hi all! Not sure if I posted this in the right place we are headed to wdw in 2015 and were also going to take a trip to the beach. It's a toss up between destin/ft walton beach and siesta key. My question is....is there private areas at siesta key? I know destin has completely private areas and this is a must for our family. Also is siesta key warm enough to swim in February? How about end of April-early may? Thank you for any help

 

[sjb95u]

Great question, I have spent a lot of time at both beaches and love them each! You'll be warmer down at Siesta Key that time of year, though, since it's much further south.
I don't remember having issues with "private" areas on Siesta. Destin has always seemed so much more crowded but it is indeed beautiful! I'd likely choose Siesta.

 

[flutterby3744]

Another vote for Siesta Key....beautiful, beautiful beach! Really the whole area is great, it's one of my favorite places in Florida.

Another place we love is Tarpon Springs. It's a great little town with some hidden gem beaches. Sunset Beach is our favorite.

 

[NotUrsula]

All beaches in Florida are "public" from the tideline to the shore. That is state law, so if you access them from the water side and do not stray above the tideline, no one can keep you out.

As to Siesta, the land-side accesses at Siesta Beach (aka the North Beach) are all public, afaik. However, Crescent Beach in the center of Siesta Key is accessed almost entirely via private property. I think that you would be happier at Crescent, most likely. However, you should be aware that there are no food concessions or public toilets at Crescent; if you want snacks or drinks you'll have to carry them out there, and if you have to go potty you'll need to walk back to your room.

As to swimming in February -- no locals will deliberately be swimming in either of those places at that time of year. Falling in while surf-fishing perhaps, but not going in on purpose. AFAIC, no Florida beach north of Ft. Myers is warm enough for that in February. The average water temp in Sarasota County in February is going to be about 67F. By the end of April it will be at least 10 degrees warmer.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I have been to each of those beaches more than once and Siesta Key ranks in my top list of the low key beaches. I consider Destin to be very commercialized and the large towers of condos really crowd the beaches. In February, the water in the Destin/Ft. Walton area will be way too cold to enjoy. Of course there could always be a crazy warm front. Siesta Key is much further south so weather will be warmer and you should be able to get in the water. If you are planning to tie in the Disney trip, Orlando is MUCH closer to Siesta Key than Destin/Ft. Walton.

 

[Allison]

Loved Siesta Key. We were there lat summer in a water front condo on Crescent. It was great.

 

[zokaluse]

I can't help of the water in Feb sorry but Siesta Key has a beautiful stretch of beach, I got married on it last June

We stayed on Crescent Beach & had a Condo that we walked out of the lanai onto the beautiful sand! The location was perfect, quiet, relaxing & clean!

There are NO restaurants or bars along the beach which was it's only down fall for us, you actually need to go out onto the road for those & with a 5 yr old in toe we ended up having to drive for dinner each night as it was quite a long walk for us never mind her little legs & our 13yr old!

 

[lillygator]

Crescent beach asolutley has public access, we go there all the time. Feb is before spring breakers so i's not too busy. Depending on where you stay there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance.
let me know if you have other questions

 

[NotUrsula]

Sorry if I was unclear: Crescent definitely HAS public access, but only 2 public entrances and very scarce open parking.vs. the several access points and parking areas up at Siesta (though the parking even at Siesta Beach isn't abundant by anyone's measure.) The limited access and the lack of food concessions and public restrooms makes Crescent much less popular with day-trippers. IME, Cresecent is always the quieter beach of the two.

I have never seen large numbers of families set up on the beach for the day at Turtle. The sand isn't nearly as good there, and the drop-off is much closer to shore and can be very steep. Turtle seems to be more popular with anglers and beachcombers than with families wanting to play in the sand.