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The true fantastic thing about Manasota Key wrapped me in awe: pure white sand seashores, calm turquoise waters, a number of palm bushes barely swaying, and solely a handful of individuals. It’s actually one in every of Florida’s hidden gems.
Though recognized for its idyllic and calm seashores, there are many issues to do in Manasota Key, whether or not you’re visiting as a household, a pair, and even solo.
From dolphin excursions to climbing trails, it’s probably the most widespread locations for nature lovers in Florida, particularly in case you’re a fan of chicken life and marine animals.
I might laze Manasota Key for weeks and spend my days swimming within the heat waters, however if you wish to discover previous the seashores, be sure you take a look at these different native sights…
1. Discover Stump Go Seaside State Park
You understand you’re in a particular place when a state park takes up the southern finish of a barrier island. Let the images inform the story.
Stump Go Seaside State Park is without doubt one of the 4 barrier islands that comprise the Barrier Islands Geopark on this space. The opposite three are Cayo Costa Island, Don Pedro Island, and Gasparilla Island.
It consists of 245 acres of the Southern tip of Manasota Key and has entry to pristine seashores on Lemon Bay and the Gulf Coast.
A 1.3-mile sandy nature path takes you thru the low-lying forest with pockets within the bushes supplying you with glimpses of the wild Gulf Coast on one aspect and the calmer luminescent aqua waters on the opposite.
It’s flat and mild with solely a handful of individuals passing you by.
The path finish at Stump Go, the tip of the island the place the Gulf meets the bay. You’ll be wowed by the view.
As quickly as we acquired to the place the white sand met that stunning water, two dolphins rose out of the water, proper close to the sting of the shore.
Two fortunate women have been paddle boarding and have been capable of get shut watching them play.
That is additionally a great spot to spy Gopher Tortoises, West Indian Manatees or a Loggerhead Sea Turtle (probably the most concentrated spots for these sightings on the earth).
Extra sea turtles nest in Manasota Florida than anyplace else on the Gulf Coast, significantly the threatened Loggerhead sea turtle.
Remember to key a watch on the skies too – it’s potential to see Snowy Egrets, Ospreys, Least Terns, and different migratory birds.
You may rent paddle boards, jet skis, and kayaks from the park’s entrance.
The most well-liked route is to kayak alongside the mangrove habitat of Lemon Bay in direction of Stump Go and out into the Gulf of Mexico.
There are additionally two uninhabited islands simply east of Stumps Go you possibly can paddle round.
It was approach too windy once we visited to try this. I hope it’s calm for you as it could be a Florida journey to recollect.
2. Get pleasure from seashore days on Manasota Key
Relating to seashores, you aren’t wanting choices in Manasota Key! There are a number of note-worthy seashores to play on for the day.
Every seashore has a tranquil, “Previous Florida” really feel to them, less-crowded than different seashores in Florida, and all recognized for his or her pure magnificence.
Listed below are our favorites…
Englewood Seaside
Englewood Seaside is the preferred seashore, the place you’ll find seashore leases, volleyball courts and parasailing enjoyable.
It’s a protracted stretch of white sand flanked by turquoise waters, and has a fishing pier, which is a well-liked spot for gathering sharks’ enamel and shells.
It’s additionally close to the place the Englewood eating places and bars are, notably SandBar Tiki & Grille and White Elephant Pub.
Blinds Go Seaside
Blinds Go Seaside, often known as Center Seaside, is a well-liked spot for shark tooth looking, kayaking, or exploring the character trails going out and in of the mangrove forest.
It’s situated to the north of Manasota Key and is straightforward to overlook in case you’re driving, because it’s fairly slim and has a bayside lagoon behind it.
Manasota Seaside
Manasota Seaside is supposed to be the least crowded seashore in Sarasota County, making it a real hidden gem.
It’s solely 450 toes lengthy, and has 4 concrete picnic areas, restrooms, and lifeguards, making it a first-rate spot for households.
Stump Go Seaside
After which there may be the unmissable, extra distant Stumps Go Seaside. You may solely get there by boat or toes, so crowds are at a minimal.
Comply with a monitor to any patch of sand
We have been staying a couple of mile north of Englewood and our seashore there was nearly abandoned.
You may simply discover your individual spot of sand up and down Manasota Key.
Our rental got here with seashore chairs, seashore umbrella, seashore towels and buckets and spades.
3. Go Shark Tooth looking at Blinds Go Seaside
I didn’t look forward to finding any shark enamel at Blinds Go Seaside. We turned up empty on a earlier try in South Carolina and was annoyed after 10 minutes.
Three minutes in of scouring the piles of seashells washed on the shore and we discovered our first one. We checked with a neighboring hunter to verify it was legit.
“That appears legit to me!”
Savannah and I whooped and ran again to point out Kalyra.
With out attempting too arduous we discovered 4 altogether, 2 of them close to our seashore towels the place Savannah was digging up the dry sand. That was fortunate as most appear to be discovered within the moist space the place the waves meet the shore.
4. Go on Lemon Bay Dolphin Excursions
Go and say hi there to the native dolphins of their pure habitat with Lemon Bay Dolphin Excursions. They provide guided excursions from their dock in Lemon Bay.
Together with Captain Bruce LaMotte, you possibly can discover the gorgeous Intracoastal Waterway, the bay round Boca Grande Causeway, and the gulf coast and search for some playful dolphins.
If you happen to want a extra intimate expertise, you can even get a constitution boat from them too.
5. Shut out the day with a Seaside Sundown
Seize your seashore chairs, your most well-liked drink, and stroll on over to the seashore for sundown.
It’s the MAIN occasion on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Plan your evenings round it, whether or not it’s having fun with it from a restaurant or bar, or simply from sitting on the entrance row sand seats.
In step with Manasota Key tempo, the sundown is one other reminder to cease and scent the salty sea breeze and recognize the grandeur of an orange sky and gradual conversations together with your youngsters.
A cool method to seize your loved ones’s sundown interplay is ready your GoPro (or digital camera) to time-lapse operate, press play after which simply loosen up.
You’ll love trying again later to see the totally different sundown personalities of your loved ones members. (reel right here of ours)
6. Store at Englewood Farmers Market
We randomly stumbled upon the Englewood Farmers Market as we drove by means of the primary Englewood city and notices scores of individuals questioning round.
We’re so glad we did because it was the sort of Farmer’s Market we love and reminded us a lot of these you’d discover in Australia – pure bush setting with stalls crammed with native produce, artisan merchandise, good meals, and stay music.
We grabbed a scrumptious beef and gluten free empanada, a chocolate donut, and wandered round.
The markets are held each Thursday, October to Could.
Locations to eat in Manasota Key
We all know that it may be arduous to discover a place to eat, particularly when you’ve gotten youngsters, however thankfully there aren’t plenty of choices in Manasota Key so that you don’t have many to select from.
Thankfully they’re all fairly good.
Right here’s the place we loved consuming at…
Sandbar Tiki and Grille
I landed in the best place on the Sand Bark Tiki & Grille: Jalapeno pineapple margarita served underneath the solar with a model that breaks into Christ Stapleton’s Tennessee Whiskey adopted by the Door’s “Love her Madly”.
If we weren’t on a household trip in Florida, I’d have settled in for hours.
The Sand Tiki has a tropical enjoyable vibe with an in depth menu starting from smoked ribs and wings to burgers, salads, and contemporary seafood.
If you happen to like nachos, I noticed the most important plate of nachos go by – it’s positively shareable.
There’s an enormous exterior seating space on a seashore and deck overlooking the water with stay music all afternoon and into the night.
We went twice for its relaxed tropical vibe and the irresistible Jalapeno Pineapple Margarita
The Waverly Restaurant and Bar
The Waverly with its upstairs eating and extra informal downstairs consuming was one in every of my favourite locations to eat within the Manasota Englewood area.
There have been excellent sundown views from the upstairs eating. It stopped me in my restroom monitor. I wished to shout you” Excuse me, can we please all cease speaking and take a look at the magnificence exterior. No dialog is that vital.”
Now, I’m all for sitting exterior when the climate will get above 70 and I nonetheless advocate sitting downstairs as we had cool stay Motown music enjoying too, however the large orange orb was mesmerizing from upstairs.
We nonetheless had a stunning view of sundown from our desk, catching most of it because it sunk and having fun with the gorgeous colours within the sky after it.
The meals on the Waverly was additionally scrumptious. I need to replicate my pumpkin seed crusted salmon at dwelling. Come right here for completely satisfied hour – $4 home wine, which was surprisingly good.
The Lock ‘N Key
The Lock ‘N Key was essentially the most really helpful restaurant to us by the locals. Well-liked day and evening for its spacious patio throughout the street from the seashore.
You’ll discover an in depth menu of steak, prime rib, and seafood with loads of regionally caught contemporary fish.
Lighthouse Grill at Stumps Go
Throughout the bay and over these uninhabited islands, you’ll discover the Lighthouse Grill, a well-liked place for open air eating, seafood, sundown gazing, stay music, and fireplace pits.
I beloved the stay music right here; the duo was plenty of enjoyable and stored us entertained with “guess the unique artist of this tune” video games.
Their singing was additionally on level and performed a spread of songs from Elvis to Eagles to my favourite, Chris Stapleton’s Tennessee Whiskey!
My advice is the paella!
This restaurant has sundown views over the bay and is price eating at for a distinct Gulf Coast sundown expertise.
Breakfast at Mango Bistro
There weren’t plenty of choices for breakfast in Englewood and none on Manasota Key. The colourful Mango Bistro in Englewood will probably be your finest breakfast spot with all kinds of wholesome choices and favorites.
My avocado toast was presumably the most important serving I’ve ever had and was the sort of scrumptious wholesome breakfast I like.
There are many choices for the youngsters equivalent to pancakes and French toast. Kalyra beloved her bananas in pajamas, a banana rolled in a crepe with peanut butter, drizzled with chocolate and whipped cream!
Seaside Street Wine Bar & Bistro
One other widespread place for waterside and sundown views is Seaside Street Wine and Bar in Englewood. It’s a sister restaurant of The Waverly, and is at present closed however will reopen quickly – verify the web site for particulars.
There’s a restricted menu with smaller sizes, however the dishes pack a punch with flavors. My mussels with lemon basil sauce was scrumptious.
There’s an in depth wine record right here. It’s an exquisite, relaxed setting for a glass of your favourite chilled wine.
Attending to Manasota Key and Englewood
Englewood and Manasota Secret is shared by the Sarasota County (to the north) and Charlotte County (south).
It’s about 45 minutes to Punta Gorda the most important metropolis and seat of Charlotte County. We handed by means of right here on our approach from Sebring.
Fort Myers or Tampa are the closest airports to contemplate flying out and in of.
We flew out and in of Orlando for our Manasota Key Florida journey, which is a 2.5-hour drive.
The place to Keep in Manasota Key: Englewood & Englewood Seaside
Manasota Secret is an 11-mile barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast situated south of its busier neighbors, Sarasota, and Venice. It’s about midway between Tampa and Fort Myers.
Solely a brief bridge separates it from the mainland, giving much more water experiences so that you can get pleasure from with the calmer Lemon Bay.
We have been staying within the Englewood Seaside space of the Key, which is the preferred a part of the island.
Englewood is break up into Englewood Seaside on the important thing, after which Englewood, the primary (small) city, simply over the bridge on the mainland.
You’ll discover extra facilities in Englewood, like espresso retailers, eating places, and purchasing.
Manasota Key trip leases
Staying in a trip rental is one of the simplest ways to discover Manasota Key because it offers you the liberty to be extra self-sufficient and so by no means go away the island.
If you wish to go to lunch, dinner or completely satisfied hour drinks, there are a number of bars and eating places on Manasota Island, however not many, which is why it’s possible you’ll recognize having an area the place you possibly can cook dinner for your self.
It is a good signal of how undiscovered this island is – we didn’t have to attend for a desk at any of the Manasota Key eating places.
Regardless of them being in prime places on the water, and seemingly busy, we walked proper right into a desk every time and by no means wanted reservations.
We stayed in one of many VRBO trip leases simply north of Englewood Seaside.
It was a brief 2-minute stroll throughout the street to the seashore entry and loved the relaxed tempo of the island, and our spacious seashore bungalow with loads of facilities and totally geared up kitchen.
It gave us a possibility to do our college and weblog work earlier than exploring throughout the day. This was the seashore cottage rental we stayed in.
For extra lodging choices, together with inns, condos, and cottages, see the under map for costs and availability for choices!
Remaining Ideas
Regardless of having windy and moist circumstances, we have been capable of see plenty of the Manasota and Englewood space and have a beautiful time.
On Manasota Key, days are deliberate round dawn (if you wish to stand up early), seashore time, completely satisfied hour, and sundown.
All that’s required is flip flops, sunscreen, and a large pleasant grin.
We hope this information helped you intend what to do in Manasota Key and impressed you to go to!
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