Midnight Pass Beach

Sarasota, FL

Midnight Pass is a great local beach that’s best accessed by boat. It’s located on the very southern tip of Siesta Key and used to be a flowing inlet that separated Siesta from Casey Key (don’t get me started on why it should be reopened). It’s a great place to visit because it’s super peaceful, never crowded and the beach is beautiful! It also is great because you can beach your boat just on the eastern side of the sand dune and simply walk over to the beach.

HOW TO GET HERE

To access this beach, keep your boats about 15 to 20 feet off the left-hand mangroves as you head west from the ICW. There is a big sand bar to your right that covers almost the entire approach. The water gets a little deeper as you near the dune due to the regular prop wash from all the visitors. There are also a few, nice, openings in the mangroves where you can beach the boat.

ANOTHER AMAZING PLACE TO VISIT BY BOAT

MINIMAL PARKING AND AMENITIES

On busy weekends it’s best to arrive early because there is only room for about 10 boats. Midnight Pass is also a popular place for kayakers and stand-up paddlers and they frequently beach their boats/boards in the super-shallow area to the right. Also, there are no showers or restrooms and people often bring their dogs.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW TO FIND YOUR OWN PRIVATE BEACH

In this world where it’s hard to find a sparsely populated beach that’s truly, “Old Florida”, Midnight Pass beach stands out! It’s a great place to live the lazy life and makes an amazing lazy location!

UPDATE! Hurricanes Helene and Milton completely transformed Midnight Pass and a great way. For the first time in over 40 years Midnight Pass is open and flowing once again. Sarasota County has committed to keeping it open and it should be an even better place to enjoy in the months and years to come. It’s currently in the process of shifting and settling so it remains “local knowledge only” concerning navigation. That should improve in time. Regardless, it’s a gift and an amazing silver lining in a season of destruction.

I utilize the service and benefits of Boat U.S. They are a great organization that every boater should consider. You should too. Click HERE to learn more.

LAT/LONG:
27.20’81”N 82.51’12”W

SETTING:
Natural

SAND:
Soft, Brown

BEST SPOT TO ANCHOR/BEACH:
On the bayside of the dune

NEARBY RAMP:
Blackburn Point Rd. Park (East of Swing Bridge)

CURRENT:
No

DEPTH:
Shallow/Beach

WAVES/WAKES:
Calm

FAMILY FRIENDLY:
Yes

WATER CLARITY:
Very Clear

SETTING:
Natural