‘Dr. Beach’, otherwise known as Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, named Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota, ‘America’s Best Beach’ as part of his annual list of America’s top 10 beaches. According to his website, ‘His annual list of America’s Top 10 Beaches is to the travel and tourism industry what the Oscar is to the movie industry.’  Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota, is the ‘Number One’ beach in the 21st annual Top 10 Beach List for 2011. Dr. Leatherman, Director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research, has selected the Top 10 Beaches annually since 1991. Fifty criteria are used to evaluate beaches, which include water and sand quality as well as safety and environmental management. Those who live and holiday in Sarasota have long recognised Siesta Key Beach as a natural treasure - made of 99% pure quartz and known for its powdery white sands that are cool to the touch.

Sarasota’s picture book qualities offer the perfect getaway for families playing on the sprawling beaches, hundreds of yards wide, ideal for volleyball players, beachcombers or couples just looking for a quiet romantic spot of their own. Its balmy sunsets and clear blue water create a laid-back ambiance with a wide array of bars, restaurants, shops and accommodation ranging from shoeless chic to luxurious beach clubs. The beach park is also complete with showers and bathrooms, grills, picnic tables, shade trees, and a large parking area. Siesta Key Beach is a smokeless beach, earning extra points for cleanliness and environmental management.

The ultimate combination of sun, surf and sand, Sarasota invite you to experience this year’s winning beach this summer. Siesta Key Beach is an eight-mile-long crescent-shaped barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico’s Gulf Islands, comprising of Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armand’s Key, Manasota Key, Casey Key, Englewood, Nokomis, North Port, Osprey and Venice. Sarasota and her string of eight islands are located along Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast between Tampa and Ft. Myers. In addition to sandy beaches, Sarasota and Her Islands also offer numerous cultural and ecological attractions.

To see the full list of Dr. Beach’s Top 10 Beaches and to learn more about Siesta Key Beach, visit www.drbeach.org. For more information on planning your next visit to Sarasota call 0870 033 1501 and visit www.sarasotafl.org

Further Q&A......

Q: When people think of beaches in Florida, the first destination that springs to mind is Miami and the east coast. What will this announcement do for tourism to Siesta Key and the surrounding area?

By Dr. Beach selecting Siesta Beach as the #1 beach in the U.S., he has raised awareness of the West Coast of Florida. Siesta Key, a barrier island on the west coast of Florida that sits in Sarasota County is a fantastic beach destination. We know this will bring a positive impact to this area. We have already seen it start to materialise this past weekend.

Q: Other than the beach, what else brings people to the area? What are the must do or seas?

There is a great little spot on this island called the “Siesta Key Village”. This is a strip that has a multitude of restaurants, retail shops, bars, etc… You can go high end for dining, or grab a quick burger. You can also dance the night away in one of the dance clubs/bars. There are also adorable spots to grab breakfast or brunch, and outlets for high end jewelry to bikinis and everything inbetween. There is also camping at the south tip of the island, and a tremendous amount of eco-activities such as renting a bike, or kayak, or going birding. You can also parasail on either the side of the bay – or gulf!

Q: Where should people base themselves in terms of accommodation when visiting the west coast of Florida?

There is a wide variety of places for someone to base themselves. On Siesta Key, for example, one could stay on the northern tip close to the “village” or one could stay on the southern tip where it is more quiet. They could also stay on the Main land of Sarasota as there are no toll roads to get to our barrier islands, and there are no parking meters to park at the beach. Our beaches are easy to get to – and free to get to and park.