South Lido Key Beach Park on the Gulf — Attraction in Sarasota

Great park, great fishing and boat beaching. I sure hope when it finally reopens that they do a better job at maintaining their parking lots. They have the worst water filled pot holes of any park making it difficult to get to your car without first walking through mud. Park is still closed as of Jan 19, 2025.

Update: As of April 1, 2025 this park is still not open. While other community parks and beaches have been cleaned up and refurbished since last year's hurricanes, Sarasota Parks says it's waiting for the FEMA to sign off on it which might be by the end of 2025. A painfully slow process so why did parks with just as much damage or more get reopened so quickly while some of Sarasota Parks are closed with little to no progress. Can anyone please explain why South Lido Beach Park will take over a year to reopen?

I've been back out to south Lido. It is open and looks great. Looking forward to visiting it many times. You may need shoes as the beach is very course...

We are in vacation in Sarasota for the first time. We were absolutely taken away how beautiful and clear the water is with gorgeous emerald color. We went during day Tuesday May 20th. Was not packed and plenty of parking in the parking lot on the south end as well as if you desire to go to lido beach on the more northern side. Parking was free on the south end. There is also a wash station and bathrooms if needed. No lifeguards on duty but we watch our children well. Lots of shells for our toddlers to collect. You can wade out in the water as an adult pretty far waist deep. Seen others fishing, snorkeling and sailing on their surf boards. Locals were very kind and friendly that we came across. Water is a lovely warm temperature. So far our favorite beach in the area that we have been too. We prefer less...

This is a great park WHEN you come on an off day. Like a Monday AM or a Wednesday AM. If you come during peak hours like Friday, Saturday, Sunday it's a mess and NOT worth coming too. Lot of craziness, cops, etc. . I can't stress enough the only time to come here is when it's a time people aren't partying. Clean for the most part but some people are just rude with leaving trash around. Clean bathrooms. Nice sandy beaches and clear water. At times I have seen some shady individuals hanging around maybe that's why I see a lot of cops hanging here most of the time.

Overall I would highly recommend this place it's super fun and has great beaches. Also has a kids...