85°
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
42%
28
Sarasota County, FL · Gulf of Mexico
Siesta Key Beach
948 Beach Rd, Siesta Key, FL 34242
Famous for its 99% quartz sand — chemically pure, brilliantly white, and cool to the touch even in summer because quartz reflects heat rather than absorbing it. Repeatedly named Dr. Beach's top US beach. Family-friendly, gentle Gulf surf, and a small village (Siesta Key Village) at the north end.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · NWS alert active · 42% rain
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. South wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 5am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 79. South southeast wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Weather
- 85°F air — ideal beach weather
- 42% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 86°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued july 18 at 4:10pm edt until july 21 at 8:00pm edt by nws tampa bay ruskin fl
16 /100
skip
0 Swim
42 Sunbathe
16 Walk
27 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 4:10PM EDT until July 21 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...South winds around 20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots and seas 4 to 7 feet expected. * WHERE...Coastal waters from Tarpon Springs to Suwannee River FL out 20 NM, Coastal waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 NM, Waters from Tarpon Springs to Suwannee River FL out 20 to 60 NM and Waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 to 60 NM. * WHEN...From 8 AM Sunday to 8 PM EDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
85°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
16 mph
S
Rain
42%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–01 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 02 PM
Tomorrow
86°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
86°F
Swimming weather
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 6mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (GMZ853)
The TBW office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- FLZ139 Coastal Levy-Coastal Citrus-Coastal Hernando-Coastal Pasco — Cedar Key, Yankeetown, Crystal River, n/a
- FLZ050 Pinellas-Coastal Hillsborough-Coastal Manatee-Coastal Sarasota — Clearwater Beach, Saint Pete Beach, n/a
- FLZ162 Coastal Charlotte-Coastal Lee — Manasota Key, Palm Island, Captiva, Sanibel, n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:46 AM
Sunset
8:25 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:29 AM | High | 1.7 ft |
| 11:29 AM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| 5:34 PM | High | 2.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:28 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 6:47 AM | High | 1.8 ft |
| 12:38 PM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 6:36 PM | High | 1.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:57 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 7:12 AM | High | 2.0 ft |
| 1:51 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 7:46 PM | High | 1.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:23 AM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| 7:44 AM | High | 2.1 ft |
| 3:10 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 9:29 PM | High | 1.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:45 AM | Low | 1.2 ft |
| 8:22 AM | High | 2.2 ft |
| 4:32 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 9:08 AM | High | 2.3 ft |
| 5:49 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 10:02 AM | High | 2.4 ft |
| 6:52 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8726520, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
67%
8
86°
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
66%
9
88°
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
28%
28
88°
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
20%
41
89°
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
18%
41
90°
Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
29%
34
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 16 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 86°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 42% rain chance
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Free public lot at Siesta Key Public Beach (fills early on weekends); metered street parking near the village.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on Siesta Key Beach. Dog beach at Brohard Paw Park (Venice, 15 minutes south).
Entry Fee
Free
Address
948 Beach Rd, Siesta Key, FL 34242
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Siesta Key Beach today?
Siesta Key Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Siesta Key Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on Siesta Key Beach. Dog beach at Brohard Paw Park (Venice, 15 minutes south).
Is there an entry fee at Siesta Key Beach?
Entry to Siesta Key Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Siesta Key Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Siesta Key Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Siesta Key Beach?
Amenities at Siesta Key Beach include lifeguards, restaurants, restrooms, showers, concession.
When is the water warmest at Siesta Key Beach?
The Gulf of Mexico is bathwater-warm by mid-summer — 84-88°F is typical from July through September on the FL Gulf, TX coast, and AL/MS coast. Swimming comfortable from April through October on most of the Gulf.
Where is Siesta Key Beach located?
Siesta Key Beach is in Sarasota County, FL, at 948 Beach Rd, Siesta Key, FL 34242.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS