Siesta Key Beach (Siesta Beach)

Frequently cited as the USA’s best beach on account of its brilliant white sand, turquoise waters and laid back feel, Siesta Key is a worthy contender for the title.

Located on the eight mile long Gulf Coast barrier island of Siesta Key the beach here is made from some of the finest sand on the planet; 99% quartz, the white sand is apparently unusually cool and soft - good enough in fact to have been named “the whitest and finest sand in the world” at one point.

Like many of the other barrier islands wildlife abounds on Siesta Key. The mangrove shores are home to many wading birds, the beaches backed by low sand dunes and the clear water alive with 100s of types of fish.

Siesta Key beach is also renown for its annual Sand Sculpture Contest held every November, and if that wasn’t enough every Sunday evening the Siesta Beach Drum Circle meet to bang out rhythms to the setting sun.