On Friday afternoon, we left Sarasota to go a whopping 3.5 miles to… Sarasota. We decided to anchor where we could take the dinghy to the beach.

The anchorage was empty when we arrived. We chose a spot just past the shipwreck and tucked between two buoys. Otter Key is unoccupied, but a row of beautiful homes lined the coast of the opposite side of the anchorage.

Once we were certain it anchor was set, the dinghy came down and we headed to the beach. There’s a small canal the cuts through Lido Key so that it’s just a very short ride at no wake to get there. Owen tied the dinghy to the line palm trees along the wall at the end of the canal. From there it was a very short walk to the beautiful beach.

We rented an umbrella for $15 and made ourselves at home. The water was chilly, but the sun was warm, so it was a good combination. We spent a few hours there before heading back. There are manatees in the canal, so it’s essential to be mindful.

Others joined us in our anchorage, and it felt a bit crowded. We ate dinner, played some cards, and went to bed. It was a nice day.