Casey Key, Nokomis
Casey Key Beach
Casey Key is a long, narrow, mostly private barrier island, and its beaches are the quiet, natural counterpoint to the resort feel further north. Public beach access lives at two county parks at the island's ends: Nokomis Beach Park at the north and North Jetty Park at the south tip. This page covers the island and the North Jetty experience.
At a Glance
- Parking
- Free, sizeable lot
- Lifeguards
- Yes, daily
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Fishing
- Jetty + shore
- Food
- Concession + bait
- Kayak launch
- Yes
- Wheelchairs
- Yes, free
01 · Location
Location
Casey Key runs south from Nokomis for about six miles as a narrow barrier island, reached by Casey Key Road off U.S. 41. Almost the entire island is private beachfront homes with no public parking along the roads. Your two public access points are Nokomis Beach Park at the north end (see the Nokomis Beach page) and North Jetty Park at the south tip, at 1000 S. Casey Key Road.
02 · Parking
Parking
- North Jetty Park has a free, sizeable parking lot, the roomiest of the two Casey Key parks.
- There is no public street parking along the residential stretches of Casey Key Road; do not park on the grass or in driveways.
- County lot hours are about 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with no overnight parking.
03 · Facilities
Facilities
- Restrooms and outdoor showers
- Concession stand and bait shop
- Picnic pavilions, tables and open lawn
- Playground, volleyball and horseshoes
- Fishing off the jetty rocks and from the shore
- Canoe and kayak launch on the inlet side
Lifeguards are on duty daily, roughly 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., per Sarasota County.
04 · Accessibility
Accessibility
North Jetty Park is on Sarasota County's free beach wheelchair list, so chairs are available from the lifeguards during their on-duty hours, roughly 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Accessible restroom details at this park are unconfirmed, so call the county at 311 if you need specifics.
05 · Dogs & Pets
Dogs & Pets
Dogs are not allowed on Casey Key's public beaches, which are sea turtle nesting habitat. The nearest legal off-leash dog beach is Brohard Paw Park in nearby Venice. On-leash bayfront options closer to Sarasota include Ken Thompson Park. See the pet-friendly guide.
06 · Food & Drink
Food & Drink
A concession stand and a bait shop operate at North Jetty Park, so snacks and tackle are covered. A couple of small waterfront restaurants sit along Casey Key Road and the Nokomis side of the inlet; the dining guide has the broader list.
07 · Chairs & Umbrellas
Chairs & Umbrellas
Rental availability at North Jetty Park is unconfirmed; bring your own chairs and umbrellas. The parks here lean casual, and locals typically carry everything in.
08 · Water & Activities
Water & Activities
- Swimming in lifeguarded Gulf water during guard hours; currents near the inlet jetty can be strong, so stay inside the guarded area.
- Jetty fishing at the Venice Inlet, one of the area's most popular shore spots; a Florida saltwater license is required for most anglers 16 and older.
- Kayaking and paddleboarding from the inlet-side launch, with shelter in the bay behind the island.
- Sunsets: the west-facing jetty is one of the best wide-open sunset views in the county, with fishing or without.
- Shelling and beach walking along a natural, less-developed shoreline.
- The island's middle miles are private residences. Stay on public park property and the wet sand below the high-tide line, and respect no-trespassing signs.
09 · Best For
Best For
10 · Important Rules
Important Rules
- No dogs on the beaches or in the parks.
- Glass containers are prohibited on all Sarasota County beaches.
- No open fires or camping on the beach; grilling only in provided areas.
- Park only in public lots; no overnight parking, and no beach access from residential side streets.
- Do not climb or jump from the jetty rocks; waves and current can be unpredictable at the inlet.
- Sea turtle nesting season, May through October: fill holes, clear the beach at night and keep lights off.
Plan your Casey Key day
Official Sarasota County park page and directions to North Jetty Park.