Beach of the Week

Casey Key Beach

Casey Key Beach, Nokomis, Florida

Sarasota County's oldest public beach in its friendliest season: dark shell-rich sand that is superb for shelling, near-80-degree water, a free (if early-filling) lot at Nokomis Beach Park, and the sunset drum circle Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Water: near 80 degrees

Free lot, arrives early

Shelling + sunset drum circle

01 — This Week

Week of October 13, 2026

About Casey Key Beach

Casey Key Beach (officially Nokomis Beach at Nokomis Beach Park) is Sarasota County’s oldest public beach and the Gulf Coast’s most un-commercialized stretch of sand. It sits on the low-key barrier island of Casey Key, a community of roughly 400 residents with no traffic lights and no high-rises. The beach features a 1950s beach plaza designed by Jack West of the Sarasota School of Architecture, dark shell-rich sand that is superb for shelling, and a twice-weekly sunset drum circle on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

What Makes It Special

This is the week to experience the Gulf Coast’s most old-Florida beach: October shoulder season means warm near-80-degree water, uncrowded sand on weekdays, and the sunset drum circle still going strong on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It is the anti-resort beach, exactly what Casey Key has always been.

Local Tip

Arrive early to claim the free lot at Nokomis Beach Park on Casey Key Road, and bring water shoes if you plan to walk the shell line. Check the Sarasota County beach flag system before swimming. Come back late afternoon on a Wednesday or Saturday for the drum circle at sunset, and stay for dinner at Pop’s Sunset Grill across the water.

Official Info Directions

Current Conditions

Casey Key Beach, officially Nokomis Beach at Nokomis Beach Park, is Sarasota County’s oldest public beach, open sunrise to sunset with lifeguards on duty year-round. The sand is dark, coarse, and shell-rich, which means two things: it can burn bare feet in summer, and it is one of the area’s best shelling beaches. With no high-rises and no big hotels, it stays uncrowded, quiet, and local-feeling, a true Old Florida stretch of Gulf coast.

Best Time to Visit

October is Casey Key at its easiest: the summer crowds are gone and the snowbird season is still weeks away, so weekdays and early mornings offer room to spread out on the shell-strewn sand. The Gulf water still sits near 80 degrees, comfortably swimmable. For the signature experience, go late afternoon on a Wednesday or Saturday to catch the twice-weekly sunset drum circle. Arrive before 10 AM for the best parking, and check the Sarasota County beach flag system before you swim. Atlantic hurricane season runs through November 30, so glance at the forecast first.

Parking Tips

The lot at Nokomis Beach Park (100 Casey Key Road) is free but limited, and it fills fast in season, so arrive early. There is also public access at the south end of the key near North Jetty Park with its own lot. No overnight parking.

02 — Nearby Eats