The Dark Sands of Turtle Beach, Nokomis Beach, Venice Beach, Caspersen Beach, Manasota Key
Venice is known as the Sharks Tooth Capital of the world and attracts visitors who are in search of those elusive sharks teeth along the shore. Actually, it is not that difficult to find a sharks tooth for the persistent seeker. If you know where to go and how to spot them, you can find a handful of these cool treasures from the sea.
What this Guide covers
This guide is all about the beach areas: the beaches, access points, parking, wildlife, activities, sand and water, beachfront area, shelling, and anything related to being on the beach! Everything you need to know about the beaches for a day, a weekend, a quiet moment, vacationing, moving or buying in the area.
Also see surrounding area Beach Guides in our Ultimate Florida Beach Guide
Beaches & Activities Along the Venice Florida Coastline
Venice Florida Area Beaches
From the tranquil shores of Turtle Beach to the fossil-rich sands of Caspersen Beach, each coastal enclave offers its own unique charm and allure, inviting you to immerse in the beauty and serenity of this unique coastline.
Turtle Beach
Named for the turtles that nest here, Turtle beach offers a tranquil beachfront in a more rural setting.
Casey Key is just south of Sarasota and close enough for all of the amenities. This quiet beach town is opposite of the hustle and bustle and more crowded beaches in Siesta Key to the North. Casey Key was once a separate key from Siesta Key, however, the pass was closed in 1983 joining these two keys. While the pass was closed and you can walk from one key to the other, the road does not extend through this area.
When you will drive through Casey Key, you will drive along a long stretch of private beaches where there is no public access to the beach.
Until you get to Nokomis Public Beach.
The stretch along Casey Key between Turtle Key and Nokomis has some places that are very hard to access unless you live on the beach. It is a 7 mile stretch between Turtle Beach access and Nokomis Beach access, so you can walk from either direction to explore this coast. However, there are places where the beach has eroded and you cannot get past unless you swim around the rock walls.
Nokomis Beach
Nokomis Beach is the area’s oldest public beach and is quite popular with families and fishing enthusiasts. This is a dark sand shelly beach and the start of shark tooth seekers. What you will mostly find though is shells. I’d recommend water shoes for your walk if you plan to get your feet wet.
Across the inlet is South Jetty Beach and Humphris Park. This is a beautiful spot to park where the jetty rocks line the inlet and beachfront into the sandy areas to the south. We found a bunch of shells here and enjoyed a walk along the start of Venice area beaches.
Venice Beach
Venice Beach is a favorite beach spot as it takes the name “Shark Tooth Capital of the World”. Locals and visitors come to scour the shoreline for sharks teeth. Divers come to search off shore and explore the coral reef only ¼ mile out.
Venice Fishing Pier
Another popular spot for sharks teeth finds! The Venice fishing pier is a staple for fishing and just hanging out and enjoying the beauty of the shore.
South Brohard Park and Paw Park
Brohard Beach and Paw Park is the area’s only beach where dogs can be off-leash. Brohard Beach is a natural area with wetlands that are popular for bird watching.
Caspersen Beach
This is a beach that locals know is often a more successful spot for finding sharks teeth. Possibly because it is the last public access point before another long stretch of private homes and no public beach access, so it is not as combed through as the Venice beaches to the north. It is also the most abundant spot for fossils and sharks teeth.
There is a really good geological history as to why this particular area gets more of these fossils. In summary, the combination of millions of years of geological processes, ancient marine environments, and coastal dynamics such as currents, underwater typography and the gentle slope of the continental shelf, has endowed Venice and Caspersen Beach with a wealth of fossils and shark teeth. Oh, and the fact that sharks over these millions of years have lost alot of teeth! Did you know a shark can lose over 10,000 teeth in a lifetime?
Manasota Key
Manasota Key is a more undiscovered paradise that remains slow-paced, pristine, and relatively less touristy. Enjoy personal space, fresh salty air, and a true Florida island vibe.
Manasota Key includes Manasota Key Beach, Blind Pass Beach and Stump Pass Beach State Park. These beaches are all connected down a narrow 11-mile key and are more natural and small roads and parking areas.
Manasota Key Beach
Located on the north end of Manasota Key, this beach is a favorite among locals with plenty of parking, facilities and a playground for the little ones. It’s a peaceful spot for sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing.
Blind Pass Beach aka Middle Beach
The next beach located around the middle of Manasota Kay, is Blind Pass Beach. This is a more secluded beach area where locals like to gather for picnics and beach barbeques. This beach is a beautiful spot for beachcombing and stunning sunsets.
Chadwick Park at Englewood Beach
Heading into Charlotte County, the first beach across the bridge from Englewood is Chadwick Park. This is a popular public beach for the locals and visitors alike as it offers amenities like restaurants, bars, shopping and a fishing pier. On the sand are volleyball courts, and a more wide open beachfront for enjoying beach activities.
Stump Pass Beach State Park
At the south end of Manasota Key is Stump Pass Beach State Park. This secluded 1 mile long beach at the southern tip of Manasota Key is an awesome spot for shelling and sharks tooth hunting. Explore this natural gem with hiking trails, tidal lagoons, and opportunities for birdwatching.
Things to do in Venice & Manasota Beaches of the Cultural Coast Beaches
Venice’s beaches are the crown jewels of the city, offering miles of the unique dark sand shoreline, turquoise waters, and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Shelling and Sharks Tooth Hunting
Combing the shores of Caspersen Beach for shark teeth is a common recreational activity among both locals and visitors. It can be tricky finding the elusive sharks tooth. Most are black or grey in color and the sand is speckled with tons of black and grey pieces of broken fossils and shells.
Read more about Venice Sharks Tooth Hunting here.
Swimming is one of the best ways to enjoy the Venice area beaches. Get in the warm Gulf waters and relax in the gentle waves.
Venice Beach offers shore diving opportunities where divers can search for prehistoric fossils, including shark teeth, on the seafloor. There are also nearby artificial reefs that attract marine life, making it a popular spot for both diving and snorkeling.
Cast a line from the shore or take a fishing charter with an experienced captain in the area.
Explore the calm waters of the Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway on a boat, kayak or paddleboard and take in the true natural habitats surrounding the beaches.
Rent or bring your bike and cycle the trails and enjoy the scenic rides in the area
Wildlife and Parks
Keep an eye out for playful dolphins near the shore and on occasion, catch Manatees lurking just off the shoreline. Manasota Key is home to several parks and preserves where you can spot dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and other marine creatures.
Venice Beach is a nesting site for sea turtles, particularly during the nesting season from May to October. Beachgoers may see turtle nests cordoned off, and volunteers work to protect these endangered creatures.
Stump Pass Beach State Park is a stunning unspoiled coastal environment that offers hiking trails, tidal lagoons, opportunities for birdwatching and a perfect beach for shelling.
Lemon Bay Park and Aquatic Preserve protects the delicate marine ecosystem of Lemon Bay. It is a great place for hiking, birdwatching, and picnicking. Explore diverse habitats, including seagrass communities, submerged mangroves, and oyster ecosystems.
Manasota Scrub Preserve covers 154 acres and is dedicated to protecting the unique scrub ecosystem that provides a haven for the rare Florida scrub jay. Explore hiking trails and immerse yourself in native flora and fauna.
Shopping and Dining
Small town quaint local shops and eateries are what to expect in Venice Florida. A few of the top spots for dining in Venice include:
- Cassariano Italian Eatery – authentic Italian cuisine and delicious pizza
- Lucarelli’s Restaurant – Italian restaurant with a warm ambiance
- Villani & Co Steak Seafood Raw Bar – Steak and seafood lovers offering a contemporary dining experience
- Cote France French Bistro – French cuisine at this charming bistro
- Suncoast Cafe – A local favorite for American and Caribbean cuisine
Here are a few top local places to grab a bite in Manasota Key area:
Uniquely Venice
One of the unique features of Venice’s beaches is their dark sands, which are rich in fossilized shark teeth. Caspersen Beach, in particular, is famous for its abundance of prehistoric treasures, making it a mecca for shark tooth hunters and fossil enthusiasts.
Scenery, Sunsets and Sunrise
There is no bad spot on the Gulf coast of Florida to witness a sunset! Everywhere along this entire stretch, people gather to see the spectacle of the sun setting across the horizon, melding into the water, creating a beautiful glow.
Where to Stay or Live
When visiting or moving to the Venice Florida area, you will find options for homes, condos, town homes, hotels, and beach homes. The area brings visitors and residents who are looking for a beach town lifestyle in a fun diverse community. It is also a popular location for those who are looking for their winter home or vacation rental investments.
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Also see surrounding area Beach Guides
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