The south end of Manasota Key tapers to a long, thin tip as it touches the waters of Stump Pass Beach State Park across from Don Pedro Island.
It sits at just the right angle to collect seashells like a scoop, so early risers have their pick of conchs, murex, tulip shells, shark’s teeth, and more.
Resources
Resources for exploring the area
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Overview
Location: Manasota Key
Trailhead: 26.911234,-82.352888
Address: 900 Gulf Blvd, Englewood
Fees: $3 per vehicle
Restroom: At the start of the nature trail
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 941-964-0375
Open 8 AM until sunset daily.
Leashed pets welcome but not on beach. Please do not let dogs run off-leash along the nature trail as they may disturb nesting birds.
Directions
From the junction of US 41 and SR 776 in Port Charlotte, follow SR 776 west for 16 miles. After crossing Placida Rd, look for the next left onto Beach Rd. Turn left and cross to Manasota Key. In the traffic circle take the second exit to join Gulf Blvd. Follow it until it ends at the park.
About the Park
The mile-long beach collects sunbathers and swimmers, too, especially on weekends. Escape into the park’s slim interior on a hiking trail.
It provides access for anglers to sweet spots along the shoreline and to far-flung beaches away from the crowd nearest the parking area.
Explore More!
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
Duisberg Nature Trail
On Manasota Key at Blind Pass, south of Venice, the Fred Duisberg Nature Trail is a gentle meander on boardwalks through a mangrove forest along Lemon Bay to a scenic overlook.
Cedar Point Environmental Park
Where Oyster Creek meets Lemon Bay in Englewood, Cedar Point Environmental Park provides easy interpretive hikes through coastal habitats on a wildlife-rich peninsula
Oyster Creek Environmental Park
Along the northern shore of a mangrove-lined creek, Oyster Creek Environmental Park offers gentle hiking trails with interpretive stops beneath old-growth slash pines
Don Pedro Island State Park
Imagine your own private island: a sweep of bright white sand along the shallows of the Gulf of Mexico. That’s Don Pedro Island, a Florida State Park that is mostly offshore.
Official Website
Besides the beach walk, where you can only walk 2/3 of the way to the tip before the beach disappears with higher tides, there is a trail along the bayside of the peninsula all the way to the tip and the pass. There is a large bird nesting area at the southern tip, which is roped off limits in nesting season.