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
Location
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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.
The farther you get from the parking area, the prettier the beach gets
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.