Just off the coast of Sarasota on the gulf coast of Florida (the west side) is a chain of barrier islands that, while they’re home to some of the best beaches in Florida, tend to fly a little under the radar.
It’s why you go to Florida, right? The sand in this area is a great combination of being soft and white but still with a good mixture of shells.
This is a great area for it and although I didn’t find any sand dollars on this trip, I have in the past. Sand dollars are definitely easier to find more towards the beginning of the year.
One of the best spots for shelling on Longboat, it’s also a great spot to watch the sunset. It’s not really an island, although it can seem like one at high tide.
The waters around this part of Florida are so beautiful that a boat trip is a must do. There are a lot of options from a quick sunset dolphin cruise, to a half day fishing excursion to a full day island exploring trip.
St Armands Circle (on St Armands Key just south of Longboat Key) is the place to be in the evenings. This bustling area is packed with shops and restaurants.