Boating & Things to Do in Sarasota

Ramada by Wyndham Sarasota Waterfront offers a casual and lively atmosphere perfect for families and weekend getaways. With its outdoor pool, tiki bar, and on-site restaurant, guests can enjoy a vibrant waterfront experience. The location is accessible by dinghy and offers dockage for boats, making it a convenient stop for boaters looking to dine and relax by the water. The restaurant features live music and a welcoming staff, ensuring a memorable visit.

Phillippi Harbor Club is a premier marina located on Phillippi Creek, offering exceptional dry storage facilities for boats. With easy access to the Intercoastal Waterway at Lateral Marker 72, this marina provides a seamless boating experience. Boaters can enjoy the convenience of having their boats stored in a secure, dry, and covered building, protecting them from the elements. The marina offers full refueling services, clean restrooms, showers, and lockers, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free visit.

Bird Key Yacht Club offers a lively and intimate setting for boaters seeking a vibrant social atmosphere combined with exceptional dining. Nestled in Sarasota, this club is renowned for its friendly members, active social life, and stunning views, making it a perfect spot for both quiet dinners and lively gatherings. The club's amenities include dockage for boats, ensuring easy access for those arriving by water.

MarineMax Sarasota is a full-service marina offering a wide range of marine services, including boat sales, repairs, and customization. Located in a prime spot, it provides dockage, fueling options, and a variety of amenities for boaters. Whether you're looking to purchase a new vessel or need maintenance for your current one, MarineMax Sarasota is equipped to meet your needs with professionalism and expertise.

Safe Harbor Siesta Key is a premier marina located in the heart of Siesta Key, offering a full range of services for boaters. With its convenient location on the inter-coastal waterway, it provides easy access to the vibrant local scene and nearby attractions. The marina is well-equipped with fuel, water, ice, and pump-out facilities, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free experience for transient and local boaters alike. On-site dining at the adjacent Spear Fish restaurant adds to the appeal, making it a perfect stop for those looking to explore the area or simply relax by the water.

Clear water and plenty of room to anchor inside the jetty. One of the easiest and most popular quick runs.

The Westin Sarasota offers an elegant retreat with sleek rooms and suites, complemented by a rooftop pool and bar that provide breathtaking bay views. This hotel is renowned for its refined dining experiences and exceptional service, making it a perfect spot for both relaxation and indulgence. While it offers a luxurious stay, it does not provide direct dockage for boats, focusing instead on its land-based amenities.

Hidden Harbor Marina is a full-service marina known for its excellent facilities and welcoming atmosphere. Located in a protected area, it offers easy access for boaters with its ample dockage and comprehensive amenities. The marina is a favorite among both transient and long-term boaters, providing fuel, water, ice, and pump-out services. With on-site dining and nearby provisioning options, it caters to all your needs. The marina is also home to a vibrant liveaboard community and is a popular hangout for cruisers.

New Pass Grill & Bait Shop, established in 1929, offers a unique blend of history and waterfront charm. Known for its phenomenal burgers and kitschy fishing decor, this eatery provides a lively atmosphere perfect for families and those looking to enjoy a scenic meal by the water. With dockage possible, boaters can easily access this spot to savor their famous brown bagged delicacies while watching pelicans and boats pass by.

Sara Bay Marina is a full-service marina located in Sarasota, known for its exceptional customer service and comprehensive amenities. Boaters can enjoy dockage with access to fuel, water, and wifi, making it a convenient stop for both transient and long-term stays. The marina offers on-site dining and is close to provisioning options, ensuring all your needs are met. With a reputation for professionalism and a welcoming atmosphere, Sara Bay Marina is a popular choice among cruisers.

Public boat ramp managed by City of Sarasota. Access type: Government Owned for General Public Use.

Marina Jack Yacht Basin is a premier marina located in Sarasota, offering a vibrant boating community and top-notch amenities. Known for its excellent customer service, the marina provides a welcoming environment for both transient and long-term boaters. With convenient access to the Gulf, it serves as a perfect base for exploring the surrounding waters. The marina features well-maintained dockage, on-site dining, and essential services like diesel fuel and pump-out facilities, making it a preferred choice for many boaters.

Sarasota Yacht Club is a premier marina offering a first-class experience with well-maintained docks, excellent dining options, and a range of amenities. Located near Lido and St. Armand’s, it provides easy access to local attractions and a vibrant social scene. The club is renowned for its exceptional service, making it a model facility for others to emulate.

A small, peaceful sandbar just north of the resort with clear, shallow water. Great for a quick stop or relaxed float.

A cluster of mangrove islands past Siesta Key with sheltered coves and clear water.

Just north of Snake Island, offering wide sandy shallows and calmer water for a more relaxed experience.

Located at the northern tip of Longboat Key directly on Longboat Pass, Beer Can Island Sandbar is famous for its soft white sand and crystal-clear waters. It features a beach that morphs into a shallow sandbar inside the pass, with tidal pools and shallow waters on the inside, and deeper water further out. A popular weekend destination, it occasionally hosts a floating water park anchored just offshore.

A lively, local-favorite island near Venice Inlet with shallow water and lots of space to anchor.

Public boat ramp managed by City of Sarasota. Access type: Government Owned for General Public Use.

Public boat ramp managed by Sarasota County. Access type: Government Owned for General Public Use.

The Field Club offers a stunning waterfront dining experience, perfect for both romantic getaways and family outings. With its beautiful location and excellent amenities, it provides a memorable setting for any occasion. Boaters can enjoy the convenience of dockage, making it an ideal stop for those exploring the waters. The club is known for its lively atmosphere on weekends and offers a serene escape during the weekdays. Whether you're stopping by for a meal or just to enjoy the view, The Field Club promises a delightful experience.

Located between Siesta Key and Lido Key, Big Pass Sandbar is a hidden gem featuring powdery white sand and calm, shallow waters. A favorite among Sarasota locals, it’s perfect for wading, paddleboarding, and collecting shells along the pristine shoreline.

Broad knee-deep water near the old Midnight Pass divide. Quiet, scenic, and perfect for a slow-paced day.

Passage Key, officially called “Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge,” is approximately one mile from the Skyway Bridge, off Anna Maria Island. It used to be a small island that disappeared at high tide, but it is now a lovely, exposed island of sand rising from the sea, with sand like spun sugar and the clearest of waters.

Between Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island lies Jewfish Key, which has a large sandbar on the northwest tip with plenty of room to moor boats! It gets its name from the Goliath groupers local fishermen call “Jewfish.” This private island is home to fewer than ten houses! A 38-acre private island, this sandbar in Florida has perhaps the most tropical feel, as it has many Australian Pines and palm trees. The sand is pure white, and the water is a brilliant blue, but beware of strong tides near Longboat Pass.