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GETTING HERE | LOCATION | THE BEACHES | VENICE

Stroll down Lemon Avenue to Manasota Beach Road, turn right, cross the intracoastal bridge and you’re on the beach. And yes, it really does look just like the picture!

At the weekends the locals come down, but even then it doesn’t get crowded. In the evenings people visit just to see the sun set – don’t be too surprised if you hear spontaneous applause as the sun disappears over the horizon. It’s puts life right into perspective.

Venice beaches are the world capital for pre-historic shark teeth (no live sharks to worry about these days by the way) – and you can spend hours in the warm surf searching for them. It’s almost addictive.

The fishing is amazing too and everybody is so friendly. The beach has it’s own life guard, changing facilities, showers, toilets and a range of outdoor BBQ’s you can use.

It’s also very, very safe – as is the whole area.