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.
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Overview
Location: Manasota Key
Lat-Lon: 26.911234,-82.352888
Fees: $3 per vehicle
Open: 8 AM until sunset daily
Leashed pets welcome
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The mile-long beach collects sunbathers and swimmers, too, especially on weekends. Escape into the park’s slim interior on a hiking trail that provides access for anglers to sweet spots along the shoreline and to far-flung beaches away from the crowd nearest the parking area.
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.