Siesta Key, FL

Not all of Florida’s beaches are full of towel-to-towel traffic during Spring Break. Just south of Sarasota, this 8-mile-long barrier island has three distinct tropical escapes: Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, and Turtle Beach. Every imaginable water sport is available from Siesta Sports Rentals and Siesta Key Parasailing, ranging from boogie boarding for the kids to parasailing for the kids at heart. Make time to leave the powdery sands to wander the dozens of boutiques and specialty shops in Siesta Key Village, a main street running across the island. Be sure to take advantage of the waterfront dining options, like the extravagant Ophelia’s on the Bay and the family-friendly Turtles Restaurant.
 
High season on Siesta Key continues through April, but relatively inexpensive accommodations are available at Turtle Beach Resort, located on the quietest of the three beaches, and Siesta Beach Resort & Suites, a good place if you’re interested in saving money and don’t plan on spending a lot of time indoors.