Florida's Best-Kept Secret Gulf Coast Beach Has No Crowds And Bright Blue Waters

Florida's western shoreline enjoys a well-deserved reputation for stunning beaches. For example, Sarasota is a favorite seaside city with white sands. Just 22 miles away lies one of the Gulf Coast's best-kept secrets: Caspersen Beach, a pristine stretch of shorefront with no crowds and bright blue waters. If it sounds familiar, you may already know it as one of the best Florida beaches to find prehistoric shark teeth. But it's much more.

The 1.5-mile beach's signature salt-and-pepper sands, with charcoal grey grains mixed among the white, make it stand out from the usual chalky stretches of beachfront that line Florida's coast. Its long, narrow shape, pinched by the Gulf of Mexico (renamed the Gulf of America in 2025 by U.S. President Donald Trump) to the west and Intracoastal Waterway to the east, makes development nearly impossible, so there are no gaudy condos or resorts. Crowds won't form if there's nowhere for them to stay. 

Mother Nature recently played a role in its desolation as well. In 2024, the beach's playground, restrooms, and main road suffered damage during Tropical Storm Debby's surge and won't be repaired for some time. It may be a blessing in disguise. The already sparsely crowded beach has been downgraded to a pedestrian-only area. This means you'll have plenty of elbow room as you slide into the beach's crystal clear blue waters. Its Blue Wave Certification, which recognizes clean beaches, guarantees you won't hesitate to take a dip. Consider it a rare silver lining in a tropical storm's quite grey clouds.

You'll immediately notice many Caspersen Beach regulars roaming the sands, their faces pointed straight down. They're looking for shark teeth. Feel free to join them, sifting through the sands for a dental forget-me-not. If things are a bit too cozy for your liking, continue ambling along. Caspersen, like most beaches, gets less crowded the farther away you are from the nearest parking. Just be ready to perhaps see more than you're used to.

Visitors have noticed a decrease in clothing as one walks farther along. As the crowds thin out, so do beachgoers' threads, creating what can only be described as a de facto nudist beach. To be clear: Caspersen Beach is not a designated nude beach. Still, assume you'll see more and more flesh as the crowds get thinner. If you've got kids tagging along, try to find a middle ground between the crowds and the nudists.

The infrastructure damage caused by Tropical Storm Debby has nixed nearly all activities at the beach that don't involve swimming and hunting for sharks' teeth. Shamrock Park and Nature Center, which is right next to the beach, remains, though. Its 2.3 miles of trails are ideal for biking, hiking, and viewing wildlife. Travelers hoping to spend their time on the links can also head to the Lake Venice Golf Club, a 20-minute walk away from the beach. The award-winning 27-hole course also includes a driving range, perfect for letting off some steam.

Be ready to walk to the beach. Harbor Drive South, the main way of reaching Caspersen, which Tropical Storm Debby damaged, remains closed, along with the parking lot. You'll have to park at nearby Brohard Park, then hoof it a mile to the beach. Those flying to the Sunshine State should book a trip to the closest major transit hub, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, which is 30 miles away.

You'll have to overnight in Venice, Florida. Lucky for you, accommodations can be found for less than triple digits. There are major chain hotels, beach resorts, and old-school mom-and-pop seaside motels in the area. Take some time to galavant around, visiting Englewood, a town that's about 12 miles away and full of laidback beach beauty, amenities, and small-town charm.

Plan your visit between November and April, when the weather isn't too muggy or hot. Parents and less-adept swimmers should note the lack of lifeguards at the beach. Bring a flotation device or two, and stay in the shallows if you can. Otherwise, bring a plastic sifter and shovel, and plenty of sunblock.