Caspersen Beach - What Florida Beaches Were Like Decades Ago!

If you really want to experience a one of a kind Florida beach, Caspersen Beach is one I highly recommend for you to spend some time at.

A nationally recognized “Blue Wave Certification” beach, this one gets my vote for being the best secluded beach in the Sarasota County area.

Not only does it have sparkling clear light blue and turquoise waters, it’s far enough away from large crowds and has no residential areas of any kind; this means no homes, no hotels, no condos, no high rises.

It's just a beautiful, long sandy beach that has been left virtually untouched, in its natural state and somewhat secluded.

This allows you to feel as if you’re standing on the end of the Earth, looking out over one of the most beautiful Gulf of Mexico beaches in Florida and into timelessness...

Natural, Unspoiled Beauty...As Sarasota Beaches go, this is the longest beach in Sarasota County and...

...a great place to go sea shell or shark tooth hunting, as Venice beaches are known as the "Shark Tooth Capitol of the World!" Why or how all the multitudes of sharks teeth floating around the currents find there way to Venice Florida beaches is a mystery. Just bring along your shark tooth scooping basket.

Do you like to beach comb?

Well, if you like to walk or hike and you want to take a really long walk, this is the place to do it -- you can walk south all the way to Manasota Key -- How long is Caspersen Beach? About 4 miles.

It will probably be a quiet walk as you'll leave the other beach goers behind on your trek. You'll most likely only come upon shorebirds, sea shells and sharks teeth on the beach.

I would venture a guess that not many people take this long walk, which could be all the better for you if you like to walk and feel as if you're the last man or woman on earth!

This southward walk is definitely one stretch of deserted beach where you can be alone.

Do go on your walk on this long stretch of beach well prepared, however.

Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen, a hat for shading your head, water and perhaps food, too, along with a towel and (depending on time of year) cool, light weight clothing to use as a cover-up in case the sun gets too hot and you start to burn.

By the way, Venice is also home to the annual Sharks Tooth Festival, usually held on the grounds of Venice Municipal Airport.

If you're not going to Caspersen Beach for the long walk described above (and not many people do!), then, upon your arrival find a parking spot, grab your beach umbrella and chairs, your cooler, sunscreen and cool beachwear, a big, fluffy beach towel and walk down the boardwalk pathway to the beach and have a glorious day filled with bright Florida sunshine!

You are also welcome to bring along your fishing pole and tackle and join the others you will no doubt find fishing from shore.

There's also a fairly good sized park here which you’ll find loaded with amenities just east of the main parking lot, across Caspersen Beach Bridge. There are amenities that include restrooms along with a picnic area and fishing pier...

...there's a nature trail and a 10 station outdoor fitness center and course....there are a couple of pavilions...and a covered playground area for the kids.

...and nearby there's a canoe and kayak launch, but you have to bring your own as there are no rentals available here.

All in all it's a very nice park in which to have a family picnic.

Plus, new restroom facilities were added in February 2012, replacing old, outdated, smaller restrooms in the park. There are also bicycle racks where you can park and lock your bike. There are no life guards at this Sarasota County beach.

Because of its remoteness, natural beauty, usually smaller crowds and lack of condo and housing developments, this beach is my favorite beach in the greater Sarasota area and, in my opinion, the best place to have a great day.

Interesting History: Originally the beach property was deeded to Sarasota County by the Caspersen family back in 1968 through a special warranty deed that stipulated that the land would revert back to the family in 20 years. Then in 1972, a bond referendum was held and passed for the purpose of acquiring Caspersen Beach for Sarasota County.

Directions: To find Caspersen Beach from Sarasota, take Rt.41 south through Osprey and Nokomis to downtown Venice. Turn right at Venice Avenue and follow it through the Downtown Historic District and turn left (south) on to Harbor Drive. Simply follow Harbor Drive south as far as you can go.

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