Located an hour’s drive south of Sarasota on Lemon Bay, Englewood is known for its mellow beaches, birding, and any and every activity related to being on the water. On the mainland lies Old Englewood Village, a classic old Florida main street with pastel cottages and sidewalk cafes, while over the bridge, you’ll find the white-sand beaches of Manasota Key. These barrier islands and the surrounding area are riven with waterways just begging to be explored by kayak or canoe. Cast a line to catch a snook and bring your binoculars to spot an osprey, or, if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of the elusive manatee. In the summer, loggerhead turtles nest on the island. Should you tire of the waterfront, there’s plenty more to do in the area: hit the golf course, visit the mineral springs in North Port, catch a spring training baseball game at Port Charlotte, or drive past the curious planned community of Rotonda West.

As the tourist brochure likes to say, it’s always summer in Sarasota County. Most people prefer to book vacation rentals here for the fall, winter, and spring, when temperatures are almost always in the 70s Fahrenheit and Gulf breezes bring maximum comfort. In the actual summer, though, the region is less than ideal, weatherwise. It can be rainy and hot, with temperatures in the 90s, not to mention humid and buggy. The water temperature is good for swimming all year round, rarely dropping below 68 degrees.

Beaches

Just across the bridge from historic downtown Englewood, Manasota Key is home to some of the Sarasota area’s least crowded beaches. You can go for a birding walk through secluded Stump Pass Beach, looking out for frigate birds as well as gopher tortoises and manatees, or hunt for shells and shark teeth at low tide on the busier Englewood Beach.

Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve

Waters from seven tributaries converge in this long, shallow bay that separates downtown Englewood from Manasota Key. Surrounded by seagrass, marsh, and mangroves, this biodiverse ecosystem supports some 150 bird species and 200 species of fish. You can charter an eco-tour or explore on your own with a rental kayak.

Little Gasparilla Island and Don Pedro Island State Park

These adjacent islands offer miles of beachfront to explore, as well as the sand dunes and mangrove forests of Don Pedro Island, a 230-acre state park that’s accessible only by ferry boat. Don’t forget your rod and reel, swimsuit, and SPF — and watch out for nesting sea turtles.