The shark tooth capital of the world.
Venice Beach is in Sarasota County, Florida, on the Gulf coast.
Free parking along Harbor Drive is the draw at Venice Beach, though the spaces disappear fast on weekends. A seasonal lifeguard, restrooms and a concession stand are all on site at the main access. Nokomis Beach is under two miles north and Caspersen Beach a shade over two miles south, close enough for a two-beach afternoon.
Today's flag, water temperature, surf, wind, UV and tide times for Venice Beach load on this page automatically. Conditions change through the day, so nothing on this page is a substitute for the flag flying when you arrive.
Amenity details are Coasti's own notes and can go out of date. Fees, lifeguard seasons and dog rules are set locally.
Flags run from green for low hazard to double red for water closed — see what each flag color means.
Tide predictions come from NOAA station Venice (Roberts Bay) (8725889).
Weather and marine forecasts come from the National Weather Service at Venice Municipal Airport (KVNC).
Red tide readings come from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission monitoring map.
Venice sits in Sarasota County, and a bloom can settle in right offshore while Nokomis Beach, less than two miles north, stays clear. Karenia brevis is a Gulf alga present year round, but it only turns into red tide once it blooms. The bloom season generally runs from late summer into a September-through-November peak. See today's statewide red tide status.
That depends on the flag and the surf, and both change through the day. Coasti shows the posted lifeguard flag when a current one exists, and estimates from surf, wind and rip-current risk when it does not. Today's answer for Venice Beach loads at the top of this page.
Venice Beach has lifeguards in season. Outside those months no flag is posted, and no flag flying does not mean the water is safe.
Parking at Venice Beach is free. Free lots along Harbor Dr; fill on weekends. Fees and lot hours change, so check locally before you go.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach at Venice Beach. Nearby rules vary, so check locally before you go.
Yes. Venice Beach is one of the fossil-hunting beaches on this stretch of coast. Low tide after a windy night is the usual advice, because overnight churn turns over fresh shell beds.
More Sarasota County beaches · All beaches Coasti covers · Red tide status · What the flags mean