Travel & Outdoors

Preserving Paradise

The Environmental Conservancy of North Port Secures Land to Keep It Wild

"It's disturbing how much nature we’re losing by the year," says Barbara Lockhart, the nonprofit's volunteer president.

07/02/2024 By Matthew Gutierrez

Only in Sarasota

Beat the Summer Heat at Lido Beach

John Pirman sketches the colorful umbrella and powdery white sand.

07/01/2024 Illustrations by John Pirman

Swim Safe

What to Do If You're Caught in a Rip Current

A local off-duty lifeguard recently saved nine swimmers caught in a rip current. Here's what to do if you find yourself in a similar situation.

06/28/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Wild Things

Southwest Florida Is Home to a Surprising Array of Exotic Animals

Get ready for a walk on the wild side.

06/26/2024 By Kim Doleatto Photography by Hannah Phillips

Take a Dip

The Ultimate Guide to Our Area's Sandbars

A deep dive into shallow water.

06/24/2024 By Hannah Wallace Photography by Everett Dennison

In Bloom

The Queen of the Night Cactus Will Bloom Tonight at Selby Gardens

The plant blooms one single night each year—and you're invited to watch it.

06/06/2024 By Staff

Snake Hunter

Dusty Crum’s Mission Is to Save the Everglades, One Python at a Time

Between 87 and 99 percent of the Everglades’ mammal populations have disappeared because of the invasive snakes, which now number nearly 300,000 in southern Florida

05/30/2024 By Isaac Eger

What Lies Beneath

Something Is Blooming on the Suncoast, and It's Not Pretty

If it's not red tide, what's that awful smell? The answer is dapis pleousa, another type of algae.

05/29/2024 By Emma Moneuse

Hot Host

If You See Birds or Other Wildlife in Your Pool, Let Them Use It

It's hot outside, and your chlorinated pool water is safe for wildlife who are at risk of becoming dehydrated.

05/22/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Beachy Keen

Kids' Summer Beach Runs Return Next Month

Kids and their families can participate in one-mile runs at Siesta and North Brohard beaches. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

05/20/2024 By Staff

DIY

These Local Farms Offer You-Pick Opportunities

Pick your own fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers.

05/13/2024 By Samantha Lane

Best of Sarasota

The Best of Sarasota 2024: Readers' Poll

We polled our readers about their favorite shops, services and more. Here’s what you had to say.

05/01/2024

Best of Sarasota

The Best of Sarasota 2024: Editors' Picks

Here are our favorite new finds from a year full of them.

05/01/2024 By The Editors

Just Keep Swimming

The First Sea Turtle Nests of 2024 Have Arrived

The first documented nest was laid by a loggerhead sea turtle, a threatened species protected under federal law.

04/29/2024 By Staff

Taking Root

Arbor Day Reminds Us of Majestic Beauty and Vital Role of Trees

Writer Stephanie Churn Lubow pays homage to her three favorite trees in Sarasota.

04/26/2024 By Stephanie Churn Lubow

You Steal My Sunshine

How to Watch the Solar Eclipse in Sarasota

Will the weather cooperate? What percentage of totality—if any—will we get in Sarasota? What time does it all begin? We've got answers.

04/07/2024 By Megan McDonald

Speed Demon

I Got Busted for Driving a Boat Too Fast on the Intracoastal. Don't Be Like Me.

I pray you learn from my mistake.

04/01/2024 By John Hardy

Q & A

Friends of Myakka River Executive Director Miri Hardy on the Future of Myakka River State Park

"We want to find new, meaningful ways of engaging people."

03/11/2024 By Stephanie Churn Lubow

IYKYK

Siesta Key Beach Voted Best Beach in Florida by Tripadvisor

It was also recognized as the second-best beach in the United States and ranked in the top 10 for best in the world.

03/01/2024 By Megan McDonald

Yee-haw!

The Arcadia Rodeo Returns Next Month

Arcadia’s been hosting rodeo competitions for 96 years. The All-Florida Championship in March is fixin’ to be its best.

02/23/2024 By Linda Murray

Sarasota Magazine