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Siesta Beach
Shark Weather report · updated Sun Oct 18, 11:06 pm ET
Sunrise/sunset calculated for this beach’s location (NOAA solar equations, ±2 min). Tides: NOAA CO-OPS predictions, Siesta Key, Big Sarasota Pass (8726034), 2 km away, feet above MLLW.
Surf/swim conditions only, never shark risk. How it's calculated
We have no approved official shark advisory or closure for this beach right now. Sharks live along this whole coast, so always check with lifeguards and posted signs.
No past official advisories on file for this beach yet. How this works
9 AM–12 PM · breezy (up to 20 mph), mid tide, falling
💨 Mid-window wind: Breezy offshore, 20 mph from NE: clean but strong
Daylight hours only (sunrise 7:32 am, sunset 6:57 pm). From the NWS hourly forecast (wind) and NOAA CO-OPS hourly tide predictions (Siesta Key, Big Sarasota Pass, 2 km away). Surf/swim conditions only, not a safety rating. How it works
7-day outlook
Today Oct 18
Mon Oct 19
Tue Oct 20
Wed Oct 21
Thu Oct 22
Fri Oct 23
Sat Oct 24
Weather, wind and rain chance: National Weather Service (Tonight onward), updated Sun Oct 18, 4:56 pm ET. High / overnight low. “n/a” = NWS gave no rain chance. Waves: NWS surf zone forecast (Pinellas-Coastal Hillsborough-Coastal Manatee-Coastal Sarasota), issued Sun Oct 18, 4:01 am ET; it only covers the next few days, so “—” means no official wave forecast.
Conditions
Waves
No buoy within 45 km with fresh data, so this uses the NWS surf zone forecast (upper end counts toward the score).
Surf zone forecastNWS
| Period | Today |
| Surf height | 1 foot or less |
| Rip current risk | Moderate |
| Water temp (NWS) | In the lower 80s |
| Remarks |
Pinellas-Coastal Hillsborough-Coastal Manatee-Coastal Sarasota · issued Sun Oct 18, 4:01 am ET · NWS Surf Zone Forecast
Water temp
Wetsuit meter: today 83°F, swimsuit / boardshorts
C10 West Florida Shelf buoy (NDBC 42013), 38 km away, as of 8:35 pm ET. The wetsuit meter is a general comfort guide.
Weather & wind
Tonight: Mostly Clear, 68°F, wind 18 to 22 mph NE
- Monday: Sunny, 82°
- Monday Night: Mostly Clear, 64°
National Weather Service (TBW) forecast, updated Sun Oct 18, 4:56 pm ET
💨 Strong offshore, 22 mph from NE: clean but strong (how)
Tides today
| Tide | Time (ET) | Height |
|---|---|---|
| High | 3:48 am | 2.1 ft |
| Low | 1:21 pm | 0.4 ft |
NOAA CO-OPS predictions, Siesta Key, Big Sarasota Pass (8726034), 2 km away · feet above MLLW
Water quality
Official status: Florida Healthy Beaches (Florida Department of Health) · Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County
The state samples beach water for enterococci bacteria: Good 0–35, Moderate 36–70, Poor 71 or more per 100 mL. If a result is above 70 and a resample is too, the county issues an advisory for that site. We haven’t found an official machine-readable feed we’re allowed to reuse, so we link to the official results instead of showing a status.
Red tide: Gulf beaches can see red tide. Check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s statewide red tide status (daily sampling map, status reports on Fridays).
Florida Department of Health, Healthy Beaches Program (checked 2026-10-18).
Lifeguards
Sarasota County Fire Department, Lifeguard Operations
Official site. Ask the nearest tower about conditions, rip currents and any wildlife sightings.
In an emergency call 911.
Beach warning flags
- Double red: Water is closed to the public.
- Red: High hazard: high surf and/or strong currents.
- Yellow: Medium hazard: moderate surf and/or currents.
- Green: Low hazard: calm conditions, exercise caution.
- Purple: Dangerous marine life spotted.
Florida uses one statewide set of beach warning flags (section 380.276, Florida Statutes). No flag flying does not mean the water is safe. Lifeguards post today’s flags at the beach.
Meanings: Volusia County Beach Safety. Program: Florida DEP Beach Warning Flag Program.
Swell
Swell details unavailable: no wave buoy within 45 km with fresh data. We don’t guess.
Swell window for this beach (estimate)
Reaches well from: 220–300° · partly from: 190–219°, 301–330° (directions the swell comes from, degrees true). West-southwest-facing Gulf beach; mostly short-period wind swell. Estimate only: bearings read from coastline orientation and generally known exposure, roughly ±15°, not surveyed.
Beach info
| Parking | Over 950 free parking spaces. |
| Restrooms | Yes (no changing rooms). |
| Lifeguards | Sarasota County lifeguards, 10 am to 5 pm, seven days a week. |
| Surf / swim rules | Alcohol is allowed for adults; glass is prohibited. Only service animals. Park open 6 am to 10 pm. |
From official pages: sarasotacountyparks.com. Checked 2026-10-18. Rules, fees and hours change; follow posted signs and lifeguards.
