Siesta Key is just one of Sarasota, Florida’s many barrier islands. It’s turquoise blue waters and white sandy beaches are what caught our attention when we were beach searching for our upcoming trip to Florida.

Once you’ve been to the Caribbean island beaches with their clear blue waters, it’s a stark comparison to the deep blues you typically find along the east coast of the states. Now, don’t get me wrong, we absolutely love the coast of the Carolinas and the warm, always sunny beaches in Florida, but from time to time, when we’re stateside, we do crave that soft, white sand that only the Caribbean can provide. So when we heard about this little slice of paradise in Sarasota, we knew we had to see it for ourselves.

We found the crystal clear water to be every bit of what was promised. You truly feel like you’ve taken a boat and sailed off to an island in the Caribbean somewhere. At Siesta Key Beach you are surrounded by absolutely stunning waters and beautiful views.

Walking distance from many shops and restaurants to choose from, it was the perfect location for soaking up the sun while the kids played in the ocean. The waves are soft and generally smaller here most of the year so we felt a lot more at ease with the kids being in the water, especially the little ones.

If you’re looking for a great place to eat while you’re in town, we’d recommend Siesta Key Oyster Bar. Whether you prefer food from the sea or the land, there’s something for everyone at SKOB. Our oldest tried oysters for the first time and absolutely loved them. I’m glad my husband now has an oyster buddy because, I’ll be honest, just the look of them makes me cringe a bit.

I know we say this at nearly every place we visit but Siesta Key has quickly become a favorite destination amongst our family and we’ve already started to plan another visit, and I highly suggest you plan one, too. It’s one of those places where the photos just don’t do it justice. A little slice of the Caribbean, right in our own backyard.