Venice Beach, Florida at a glance
This is Venice Beach in Sarasota County on Florida's Gulf coast, not Venice Beach in California. It lies south of Siesta Key. The beach is maintained by the county, with free parking and lifeguards on duty.
Caspersen Beach, further south, is the place people go to look for fossil shark teeth. It has no lifeguards, and access to it has changed since the 2024 storms. Read the access section below before you drive south.
If you are staying on Siesta Key and want a different stretch of sand, the other Siesta Key beaches are closer. If you want to see dolphins on a water day, look at Siesta Key boat tours.
Shark teeth at Caspersen Beach
Caspersen is a known spot for fossil shark teeth. Nothing is guaranteed.
What to expect
Fossil shark teeth wash up here, but no one can promise how many you find or how large they are. Do not plan your day around a big tooth.
How people search
Walk slowly along the waterline, look down and check the wet sand. Bring a small bag and a bottle of water for the walk.
Rules
Check the posted signs for the current rules on collecting fossils before you take anything home.
Our pick: shark teeth by boat
Our take: the boat trip brings the sieving equipment and snorkel gear, so you can look for shark teeth without bringing your own.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours near Siesta Key and Venice
Dolphin cruises, kayak trips and Gulf coast day tours from the Sarasota area, with live prices and availability. Check what each option includes before you book.
Caspersen Beach access in 2026
Caspersen Beach Park is at 4100 Harbor Drive South and is open from 6:00 to 22:00.
Storms in 2024 washed out the Harbor Drive approach. As a result, the car parking lot, the toilets and the playground are closed until the road is repaired. The park hours do not mean the car access has returned.
You can still reach the beach on foot or by bike. Start at South Brohard, where parking is possible, or use the Venetian Waterway Trail from the Festival Grounds. Plan on a walk, bring water and sun protection, and do not expect toilets or a playground.
Venice Beach or Caspersen Beach?
| Venice Beach | Caspersen Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards | Yes | No |
| Car parking | Free parking | Lot closed, walk or bike in |
| Toilets and playground | – | Closed |
| Good for | A swim and an easy beach day | Shark teeth and long walks |
For most visitors, Venice Beach is the better choice because lifeguards and free parking come with it. Pick Caspersen if you are happy to walk and your goal is shark teeth. Do not count on the lifeguards of Venice Beach at Caspersen.
Getting to Venice from Siesta Key
Venice lies south of Siesta Key, so plan on a drive. Drive time depends on traffic and bridge conditions, so look at a live map on the day. The free island trolley does not go there.
On the way, the southern end of the island is worth a stop. Turtle Beach has darker, shell-rich sand and a steeper shore, and it has no lifeguard zone, so keep swimming plans modest. The Crescent Beach and Turtle Beach page explains the southern beaches, and the Siesta Key Beach guide covers the lifeguarded main beach near the village.
Swimming, flags and safety
Venice is one of the Sarasota County beaches with lifeguards. Check the flags before you swim. Double red means the water is closed to swimming, and purple means dangerous marine life may be present. The actual flag on the day counts more than any guide.
Sea turtles nest on this coast from 1 May to 31 October. Keep lights off the beach at night, remove furniture and fill holes, and keep at least 50 yards (45.7 m) from turtles. Hurricane season and red tide can also affect plans, so read the weather page before you book.
Planning a day south of Siesta Key
Venice and Caspersen work best as two separate plans.
Choose your beach first
Decide whether you want a lifeguarded swim at Venice Beach or a shark tooth walk at Caspersen. They are different days.
Pack for a walk
If you go to Caspersen, bring water, sun protection and shoes you can walk in, because the car lot, toilets and playground are closed.
Start in the morning
The park is open from 6:00, so an early start gives you cooler temperatures and more time on the sand.
Watch the water
Check the flag, listen to the lifeguards at Venice Beach and swim only where they are on duty.
Venice Beach, Florida: frequently asked questions
Is this Venice Beach in Florida or California?
It is Venice Beach in Florida, in Sarasota County, south of Siesta Key. It has nothing to do with Venice Beach in California.
Can I drive to Caspersen Beach?
Not right now. The car parking lot, the toilets and the playground are closed. You reach the beach on foot or by bike from South Brohard or the Venetian Waterway Trail.
Will I find shark teeth at Caspersen Beach?
Fossil shark teeth are known there, but a find is never guaranteed, and neither is the size. Take your time and enjoy the walk.
Are there lifeguards at Venice Beach?
Yes. Venice is one of the county beaches with lifeguards. Caspersen Beach is not, so do not rely on a lifeguard there.
Is parking free at Venice Beach?
Yes, parking is free. Caspersen has no car access at present.
Is this the official Venice Beach website?
No. This is an independent travel guide for Siesta Key and the area. It is not run by or connected with the city of Venice or the county, so check current conditions with them.