Beaches on Venice Island

Despite its name, South Jetty Beach is at the north end of the island.  It is in fact the south side of the pass from the Gulf of Mexico to Lyons Bay Dona Bay, and Roberts Bay.  (The North Jetty is on the south end of Casey Key.)  Part of Higel Marine Park, the beach features about 100 parking spaces, concessions, picnic tables, and restrooms.  Its rocky/rip rap shores are most enjoyed by surfers and people fishing.  Located at the north end of Tarpon Center Drive.  No lifeguards. 

At the intersection of Venice Avenue and The Esplanade, the long swath of sand that forms Venice Beach extends north from a few blocks south of Venice Avenue to South Jetty Beach.  It offers concessions, a pavilion, picnic tables, restrooms, and lifeguards.  With only about 150 parking spaces, the majority of the beaches access is via footpaths across from residential areas.  Street parking in those neighborhoods is not encouraged. 

With several access points along Harbor Drive South, Brohard Beach has by far the most extensive parking available on Venice Island beaches.  The main 

parking area is around Sharky's by the Pier, the only beach front restaurant in Venice.  Though no lifeguards are on duty, the beach's most prominent feature is the Venice Fishing Pier and Papa's Bait Shop (offering bait, coffee, treats, and rentals.)  Also available are beach volleyball courts, pavilions, picnic tables, grills, and restrooms. 

Dubbed by many as the "best doggie park in the state," Brohard Park boasts a 300' stretch of sand and water

 designated as a paw beach.  The park offers ample parking and shade, leash posts and fire hydrants, two fenced play arenas, doggie water fountains, picnic tables, and restrooms.  No lifeguards.  

Together with Venetian Waterway Park, Caspersen Beach includes plentiful parking, boardwalk style crossings over the protected dunes, a rocky shoreline and short rip rap/rocky piers, miles of hiking and paddling trails through the wetlands and mangroves, pavilions, picnic tables, and restrooms.  These waters were once home to prehistoric sharks, so sharks tooth hunting is a favorite pastime on Caspersen Beach.