Siesta Key Crystal Classic Nov 15 – 18

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Sand Sculpting Festival in Sarasota

You are fascinated by sand artists who create magnificent sand buildings? Come to Siesta Key Beach from 15.-18. November 2019!

“The Siesta Key Crystal Classic” is an amazing Master Sand Sculpting competition. Since 2010, international sand sculpting artists meet every November to create numerous sculptures out of tons of fine sand. The jury selects winners for solo and team artists. The announcement will be made on Sunday afternoon.

Competitions

Even for amateurs there will be the opportunity to prove their skills in the “The Crystal Classic Amateur Competition”. For this competition on Saturday, there are different classes. The winners will be awarded the same day.

The “Quick Sand Contests”, which take place several times on Friday and Saturday, are also fascinating. Within 10 minutes, a participant has to create something out of a pile of sand, that fits to a given word. The applause of the audience will be used as an indicator for the best result. Winners advance to the next round. The competition culminates at the finals on Sunday at 12:30.

Highlights

Other highlights of the festival are:

– Learning Curve Tent with tips for building yourself

– Bearfoot Beach Party Tent with live music and bar

– Vendor Village with food, drink and stalls

– Evening illumination of the sculptures

Info

More info at siestakeycrystalclassic.com.

Best Beaches of SW Florida: Englewood Beach

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Englewood Beach – locals call it also Middle Beach – is located in Chadwick Park and is a popular beach with beautiful white sand.

How to get there – Scenic Canopy Drive

From Englewood, take the Beach Road to Manasota Key. If you cross the bridge,be sure to stop and have a look! Very often you will enoy watching some Manatees and dolphins.

Alternatively choose the Manasota beach Road in South Venice and take the famous Canopy Drive on Manasota Key Road. You will love driving under the crowns of those old beautiful trees.

Fascilities

At Englewood Beach there are basketball courts, a beach volleyball court, shelters with picnic tables and barbecues, a nice playground and well kept sanitary facilities.

Larger pavilions are often rented for family gatherings. There is ample parking for which a small parking fee is due.

For more info go to charlottecountyfl.gov.

Beach Yoga on our Venice Beaches – You will LOVE it!

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Beach Yoga – Venice Beaches

Reconnect your mind, body and spirit with the beauty of nature. Disconnect from any stress and be soothed by the sounds of the ocean. Breathe in the fresh morning air while watching the sun rise and feel the power of yoga – beach yoga. Wouldn’t this be a perfect way to start your day?

Maybe you prefer to stretch and energize your body at the end of the day, surrounded by the stunning nature of our Venice Beaches? Join a Sunset Class and experience the fantastic atmosphere when the sun is going down slowly and enchanting everything with beautiful colors.

There are many great reasons to do Yoga. Yoga is relaxing, it lowers stress, strengthens, improves balance and posture, sharpens awareness and helps one breath better. Beach Yoga provides all of that plus a soft and forgiving surface, fresh air, beautiful views, a connection with nature, sunlight, vitamin D and the company of many like minded new and old friends.

Bring a blanket or a mat, a bottle of water and clothing that allows freedom of movement. The Yoga classes are designed for all abilities and ages. Locals and visitors are equally welcome.

Classes are supported by free will donations.

Join the team of certified yoga teachers:

Nokomis Beach

Meet Katja, Lois and Toby at the North Jetty on Casey Key. For schedule and more info go to northjettybeachyoga.

Venice Beach

Meet Elin at the Venice Beach Pavillon. For schedule and info go to yogawithelin.

Manasota Beach

Meet Katja, Louis and Toby at Manasota Beach. For schedule and info see yogamanasotabeach.

Best Beaches of SW Florida: Manasota Beach Venice

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The Manasota Beach Road bridge in the northern part of Manasota Key leads you directly to this quiet and pristine beach. Take the boardwalks over the sanddunes and enjoy the crystal clear, turquoise-blue waters and the bright, soft sand that are ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Manasota Beach is also a popular area for snorkeling.

As far as the eye can see, the beach stretches along the coast. On long, peaceable walks you can find many beautiful shells and fossil shark teeth. Even on high season, this beach is never crowded. With some luck, you can even see manatees and dolphins. At the northernmost end, Manasota Key is a quiet bird sanctuary. Many native birds, dolphins and sea turtles live on this stretch of coastline.

There are picnic tables in shady areas, BBQ areas, changing rooms, restrooms and showers. Manasota Beach is staffed with lifeguards all year round. Parking is free – as always on Sarasota County’s beaches.

South of the drawbridge there is a boat ramp that provides easy access to Lemon Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Manasota Beach is located on 8570 Manasota Key Rd, Englewood, FL 34223 – only a short 10 minutes drive from our Villa Happy Gator in Venice.

Let us inspire you with some pictures and a beautiful video:

Best Beaches of SW Florida: Stump Pass Beach Englewood

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You can fall in love with this beach. Stump Pass Beach State Park is located on Manasota Key, about 20 minutes south of your vacation home Villa Happy Gator. Plan a whole day, so that you can fully enjoy the beach and nature of this beautiful place.

The state park is very well maintained. Ample parking, restrooms, shower facilities and pavilions for barbecue are provided.

Best is to discover the park on foot. Numerous small paths and boardwalks lead to the end of the park at the southern tip of Manasota Key. The further you go from the parking lot, the less people you will meet. Pay attention to the numerous bays. You may be lucky and see manatees or a few dolphins playing offshore. From May to October, you will also find nests of sea turtles, which are always clearly marked by animal friends.

If you like, you can rent kayaks or explore the area with a stand-up paddleboard. For info go to Hookedonsup.com.

For information about the State Park, visit the official FloridaStateParks.org website.

Our Ferry to our South Venice Private Beach – Let us take you on a tour!

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One of the best things about living in South Venice Florida is the acces to our Ferry to the Beach. It will take only a few minutes and you arrive in paradise. Miles of pristine beaches offer unspoilt nature. Far away from crowds, our South Venice Beach offers the ultimate beach experience.

Stay with us and the family pass for the Beach Ferry is free for you. Book your dream vacation today.

If you are interested in the history of our Beach Ferry, please reade more HERE.

Best Beaches of SW Florida: South Venice “Private Beach”

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Important Notice
Since the Association changed the rules for the Ferry Pass, we are sorry that we no longer are able to provide a pass for our guests (01.01.2021).

Come and visit our true piece of paradise! 3 miles of pristine beaches, natural landscape, and quiet surroundings are waiting for you to explore. Take a walk along the beach shoreline, look for some shells or find some of the world famous fossil shark teeth. Refresh yourself in the clear blue ocean, maybe do some snorkeling or paddling or simply relax at the beach and enjoy the calming atmosphere of this unspoilt piece of nature.

It is a fantastic feeling. Once you walk across the boardwalk from the ferry dock to the “private beach”, you are in a different world.

Read more about our “Private Beach” here.

Best Beaches of SW Florida: Blind Pass Park Englewood

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Blind Pass Beach, also known as Middle Beach, is a real local secret and absolutely worth a visit. The natural beach is situated between Manasota Beach and Stump Pass Beach and offers almost 3000 feet of beautiful sandy coastline with lots of shells, the water is clear and emerald tinted. With some luck, you will find a sand dollar or a few of the famous fossil shark teeth.

Across the street on the bay side, a nice little nature trail is meandering through the mangrove forest.

There are clean restrooms with outside showers, a pavilion, picnic tables, a playground, boat ramps and a canoe launch. As with each Park in Sarasota County, parking is free!

Blind Pass Park is only a short 15 minutes drive away from our Villa Happy Gator.

More info at Sarasota County Website.

Travel Tip created by Birgit in association with Vacation Soup