Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail

Segment10

Sarasota / Venice

Emergency Contact Numbers:

911

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office: 941-861-5800

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 24-hour wildlife emergency/boating under

the influence hotline: 1-888-404-3922

Begin: Lido Beach

End: Weston’s Resort near Stump Pass Beach State Park

Distance: 36 miles

Duration: 2-3 days

Special Considerations: As with most South Florida segments, boat traffic can be heavy,

especially on weekends.

Advance reservations are recommended for motels and campgrounds, especially during

holidays and the spring season. The situation regarding motels may change as motels are

rapidly being converted to condominiums and resorts that require multi-day rentals. Also, the

existing motels have a preference for multi-day rentals, especially during the busy spring tourist

season.

Introduction

Whether paddling on the Gulf or bay side, this segment provides paddlers with a variety of bird

life and scenic beaches and parks. Sarasota Bay and numerous other small bays are highlights

of this segment, with their rich marine life. On your journey, look for bottlenose dolphins that

reside year-round in Sarasota Bay and other waters. In spring and summer, mothers and calves

can be seen in shallow waters as newborns are more protected from deep-water predators such

as bull sharks. Manatees can also be seen, especially during warmer months.

This segment includes Oscar Scherer State Park along scenic South Creek, where a large tract

of scrubby flatwoods is home to the threatened Florida scrub jay, a species found only in

Florida. For camping reservations visit Reserve America or call at 1-800-326-3521.

The Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve is in the southern end of the segment. Two Gulf passes and

seven tributaries have helped to create a diverse network of mangroves, marsh grass, and vast

expanses of seagrass meadows. The diversity includes more than 150 species of birds, 100

species of invertebrates, and 200 species of fish.

1: Lido Beach to Oscar Scherer State Park, 13 miles

You can begin this segment either at a canoe/kayak launch on the bay side in South Lido Beach

Park (see map), or by launching at Lido Beach on the Gulf side. If you are a long distance

paddler, simply continue from one of several motels just south of Lido Beach on the Gulf side.

For more information visit Manatee County lodging or Sarasota Lodging.

You can paddle along the Gulf side or the bay side, depending on winds, weather and

preference, although there are more parks on the Gulf side that are ideal for rest breaks. There

is also the Turtle Beach Campground, about 8 miles from Lido Beach. The campground is

accessible from the Gulf or from a lagoon about a half mile in from the bay side (see map).

Advance reservations are highly recommended: 941-349-3839. Restaurants are within walking

distance.

Since Oscar Scherer State Park is on South Creek along the mainland, you’ll either need to

paddle to the bay side just after Lido Beach through Big Sarasota Pass or portage to the bay

across a 100-foot stretch of sand in between Siesta and Casey Keys at a spot known as

Midnight Pass (see map for GPS point). The pass filled with sand in the early 1980s.

If you want to stay on the Gulf side past Midnight Pass, you can stay at the Gulf Surf Motel,

about 11 miles from Lido Beach (call 941-966-2669 for reservations).

Along the bay side, you’ll pass several bird rookeries and birding hot spots such as Skiers

Island in Roberts Bay and the Neville Preserve in Little Sarasota Bay. To stay at the state park,

paddle up South Creek a short distance and stop at the small beach landing near the entrance

station to register for a site at the campground (see map for GPS point). Then, paddle to the

park canoe launch site (a total of about a mile from the bay). You’ll have to leave your boat here

and walk a nature trail along the creek less than a half mile to the campground, which is

accessible by bridge on the south side of the creek.

For an overnight alternative, you can paddle another 4 miles from South Creek to the Venice

Inlet where you can primitive camp on Snake Island, a popular spot for boaters. Parks are on

either side of the inlet and a marina and restaurant are along the south bank. This will shave off

4 miles from your paddle the next day.

2: Oscar Scherer State Park to Weston's Resort, 23 miles

Paddle down South Creek to Blackburn Bay and continue south along the mainland. At Venice,

you’ll have a choice of paddling out the Venice Inlet and into the Gulf or paddling the

Intracoastal Waterway, which snakes its way inland for more than five miles. Along the Gulf, you

can either stay at the small Beach Croft Motel at Englewood Beach after 20 miles (941-474-

6509 for reservations) or circle through Stump Pass to the larger Weston’s on the bay side, 24

miles total from Oscar Scherer State Park. Be wary of strong currents in Stump Pass. An

outgoing tide will make paddling through the pass to the bay side difficult.

If paddling the Intracoastal route, it is about 23 miles from Oscar Scherer to Weston’s Resort.

Weston’s is conveniently located on the bay and Gulf adjacent to Stump Pass Beach State

Park. Paddlers can use the ramp right at the motel, check in, and secure kayaks on shore. Like

most motels in the area, however, they do not take reservations for one-night stays. These are

on a first-come, first serve basis, so don’t arrive late. If you want to reserve for more than one

night, or check on potential availability, call 941-474-3431. Spring is considered the busy

season.

If staying at Weston’s, you can walk to Stump Pass Beach State Park and hike a mile or so to

Stump Pass, either along the undeveloped beach or down the park’s nature trail through the

interior. Look for shells and shark teeth along the beach, especially after a storm.

Boca Grande

Sarasota

Longboat Key

Venice

SARASOTA

MANATEE

CHARLOTTE

LEE

F l o r i d a C i r c u m n a v i g a t i o n a lS a l t w a t e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l

S e g m e n t 1 0S a r a s o t a / V e n i c e

F l o r i d a C i r c u m n a v i g a t i o n a lS a l t w a t e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l

S e g m e n t 1 0S a r a s o t a / V e n i c e

M a p 1 - AM a p 1 - A

Disclaimer: This guide is intended as an aid to navigation only. A Gobal Positioning System (GPS) unit isrequired, and persons are encouraged to supplement these maps with NOAA charts or other maps.

M a p 1 - BM a p 1 - B

M a p 2 - AM a p 2 - ADrinking WaterCampingKayak LaunchShower FacilityRestroomRestaurantGrocery StorePoint of InterestHotel / Motel

M a p 2 - BM a p 2 - B

M a p 3 - AM a p 3 - A

30

6

12

6

3

3

63

6

3

18

6

12

3

3

3

3

18

18

3

18

3

60

30

30

Sarasota

New Pass

Lido Key

Coon Key

Bird KeyOtter Key

Bay Point

Siesta Key

Siesta Key

Coral Cove

Bay Island

White Beach

Roberts Bay

Quick Point

Palm Island

Grand CanalBailey Hall

Siesta Beach

Sarasota Bay

Pioneer Park

Hudson Bayou

Hamsen Bayou

Point O'Rocks

Coolidge Park

Coconut Bayou

Stickney Point

Sarasota Point

Sarasota Beach

Ringlin Bridge

Crescent Beach

Bird Key Point

Philippee Creek

Big Sarasota Pass South Coconut Bayou

SR 4

5

SR 9

3

CR 77

3

SR 758

SR 72

CR 780

SR 789

SR 68

3

CR 78

9A

CR 68

3

SR 780

SR 789

Map 1 ASegment 10: Sarasota/Venice

South Lido Park BLido Beach A

0 2 41 Miles

Midnight Pass portageN: 27.2081 I W: -82.5113

Blackburn Point LaunchN: 27.1809 I W: -82.4955

Oscar Scherer SP gate accessSouth CreekN: 27.1699 I W: -82.4753

Oscar Scherer State Park

Casey Key

Bird Keys

Dryman Bay

Blind Pass

White Beach

South Creek

North Creek

Heron Lagoon

Midnight Pass

Blackburn Point

Little Sarasota Bay

60

3

3

6

6

3

6

3

6

6

3

60

3

60

30 30

30

3

30

SR 45

CR 789

SR 68

1SR

93

CR 77

3 Map 1 B

Turtle Beach Campground A

0 2 41 Miles

Segment 10: Sarasota/Venice

C Siesta Beach ParkN: 27.3114 | W: -82.5766AN: 27.3094 | W: -82.5687BN: 27.2661 | W: -82.5526C

BOscar Scherer Campground

N: 27.2201 | W: -82.5178AN: 27.1711 | W: -82.4697B

Woodmere

Red Lake

Dona Bay

Lyons Bay

Turner Key

Venice East

Venice Inlet

South Venice

Intracoastal Waterway

Caspersen Beach

Alligator Creek

Southwest Venice

Venice

Lemon Bay Preserve

Myakka Pines

Alligator Creek Conservation Area

Shamrock Park

Brohard Park

North River RoadCurry Creek Preserve

60 12

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

30

6

3

6

30

3

30

30

3

3

SR 45

SR 93

SR 776

SR 45A

Map 2 ASegment 10: Sarasota/Venice

Humphris park C

Casey Key Beach A

0 2 41 Miles

Manasota

Leachs Key

Redfish Cove

Peterson Cut

Forked Creek

Manasota Beach

Buchan Airport

Manasota Bridge

Englewood Beach

Tom Adams Bridge

Punta Gorda Beach

30

3

3

18

6

3

6 3

30

6

3

3

6

6

3

3

3

3

3

30

30

18

3Lemon Bay Park

Manasota Scrub Preserve

Stump Pass Beach State Park

LEMON BAY AQUATIC PRESERVE

SR 776

Blind Pass Park B

Map 2 BManasota Beach A

Indian Mound Park C

0 2 41 Miles

Segment 10: Sarasota/Venice

Casey Key LaunchN: 27.1283 I W: -82.4704

Red Lake Kayak LaunchN: 27.0577 I W: -82.4406

B North Jetty Park

Venice Beach D

Service Club Park E

Launch, SW Side of Bridge

N: 27.1246 | W: -82.4711A

N: 27.1114 | W: -82.4667CN: 27.1136 | W: -82.4672B

N: 27.1002 | W: -82.4604DN: 27.0786 | W: -82.4522E

N: 27.0104 | W: -82.4126AN: 26.9631 | W: -82.3851BN: 26.9575 | W: -82.3632C

Snake Island Primitive CampsiteN: 27.1128 I W: -82.4633

Beach Croft MotelN: 26.9266 I W: -82.3621

Myakka State Forest

Lemon Bay

Stump Pass

Buck Creek

Whidden Key

Thorton Key

Lemon CreekKnight Pass

Peterson Cut

Knight Island

Goldfish Creek

Bocilla Island

Englewood Beach

Don Pedro Island

Gottfried Creek Bridge

30

3

3

18

12

6

3

312

66

3

3

3

3

6

Stump Pass Beach State Park

LEMON BAY AQUATIC PRESERVE

Charlotte Harbor PreserveAmberjack Environmental Park

Oyster Creek Environmental Park

SR 776

CR 77

1

CR 777

CR 77

5A

CR 776

SR 77

6Weston's Resort B

Map 3 A

0 2 41 Miles

Segment 10: Sarasota/VeniceEnglewood

N: 26.9123 | W: -82.3527

AB

N: 26.9575 | W: -82.3632

A Indian Mound Park