Sarasota Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sarasota Bay |
|
|---|---|
John Ringling Causeway to St. Armand Circle, across Sarasota Bay
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| Counties | Sarasota, Manatee |
Sarasota Bay is a large body of water called a lagoon on Florida's west coast. It is found in the United States. Even though no big rivers flow into it, it is considered an estuary. This means it is where fresh water mixes with salty ocean water. Three openings, called "passes," connect the bay to the Gulf of Mexico. More fresh water now enters the bay from rain runoff in nearby cities.
.jpg)
People have lived around Sarasota Bay for a very long time. Early maps from the 1700s even show the area, calling it Zarazote. For over ten thousand years, native people hunted and fished here. After the ice age, ocean levels rose, creating the coastline we see today. The bay provided plenty of food for people for over five thousand years. Then, in 1513, Europeans began exploring the area and later built settlements along the shores.
Sarasota Bay is the biggest and deepest coastal bay between Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. It is one of only 28 estuaries in the country that the U.S. Congress has called an estuary of national significance. The bay is protected from the open Gulf of Mexico by long, thin islands called barrier islands or keys. These keys include Longboat Key, Lido Key, Siesta Key, and Casey Key. They help create the main bay and its smaller parts.
Fun Outdoor Activities
Many people enjoy ecotourism in Sarasota Bay, especially kayak trips. These guided tours let you explore the local ecosystem. Kayakers can watch amazing animals like dolphins jumping out of the water. They can also see manatees peacefully eating sea grass in the shallow bay waters. It is a great way to learn about nature while having fun!
