Siesta Key is not just one of the islands off the coast of Sarasota, Florida. Siesta Key is the island known for the whitest of sands. The beach is blanketed with incredibly white, soft, and fine sand. Stretching for eight miles, the silvery white beach of Siesta Key is peppered with pretty seashells and playful tiny crabs. Scientists have tried to explain that the whiteness of the sand is due to its composition, which is 99 percent quartz. But this mundane detail has not stop the locals from believing that the shining sand has mystical healing powers.
Along the beach of Siesta Key, tourists can find the lush tropical vegetation maintained by the people of Siesta Village. The palm trees, exotic flowers, and verdant shrubs are the homes of wild parrots, pelicans, terns, storks, and spoonbills. A bird watcher will be delighted by the friendliness of these birds who have become accustomed to the presence of humans. Besides watching birds, nature lover will enjoy glimpses of dolphins and manatees cavorting in the clear waters.
Of course, humans may also frolic and have fun in the waters. The nearby hotels and resorts provide everything that an adventurous tourist will need for snorkeling, parasailing, sailboarding, and fishing. Families will also enjoy a tour around the island on board a chartered boat. Then, after indulging in the world's finest and whitest sands, tourists can relax in Siesta Key's local restaurants, such as the Ophelias on the Bay, the Blas
