Manasota Key (Before Hurricane Milton)

[@Explorcation]

What did you all think of Manasota Key? Would it make your list of places to visit in Florida? Let us know in the comments! And if you have been to Manasota and have other recommendations leave those in the comments too 😁 As always, thanks for watching, liking commenting and sharing 😊 your support continues to help our channel grow ❤️

[@BLUECRABNETWORK]

Cool. Yep this is where we call home. It is Paradise.

[@CyberCab-k9q]

Really? You’re saying that after Helene and Milton? The whole key is phucked.

[@Explorcation]

The comment definitely was made prior to Milton. And i don't believe that Manasota was in nearly as bad of shape prior to Milton as it is now. That said, it definitely does now have a long road to recovery based on the videos we've been seeing of the island. Very sad.

[@Explorcation]

We sure hope it is spared from any additional storms for years to come. We know it has a long road to recovery after Milton and we're so sad to see the destruction that it caused.

[@lewisblack3053]

As avid shell collectors, our favorite is Stump Pass Beach. There is usually good shelling after a storm all the way to the end, about a mile hike from the parking area. Parking is limited. Other beaches we love further south include Lovers Key State Park and Barefoot Beach, both in Bonita Springs.

[@Explorcation]

Hi Lewis, thank you for watching and sharing your shelling tip 😊 and thank you for the recommendations in Bonita Springs. Skylar has been there once...but not for very long. We hope to both make it to that area some day!

[@dfscrush3r841]

We like stumps pass the best due to location , we like stumps pass marina restaurant overlooking the gulf at a high up view. Overall manisota key is absolutely a hidden gem. Great video

[@Explorcation]

Thanks so much for the kind comments! We agree that Manasota Key is absolutely a hidden gem. Next time we make it down there, we'll have to check out the marina restaurant!

[@genehinders9639]

Being an Iowa boy myself that Potato and Apple Sauce combo at the White Elephant actually sounds very good!!!!

[@Explorcation]

Is that an Iowa thing? I don't think I ran across that during my 20+ years in Iowa, but maybe I just wasn't looking hard enough 😂

[@genehinders9639]

@@Explorcation Lol...guess I'm not sure if it's an iowa thing but it sure sounded good to me 😁

[@Photoboy1948]

Blind Pass Beach for sure. Plenty of free parking and great facilities with reasonable crowds even during snow bird season.

[@Explorcation]

Yeah, the parking situation at that beach is great! We're actually thinking about going back there for a beach day (to relax, not film) very soon!

[@genehinders9639]

Another great video showcasing areas we have yet to see for ourselves...you're making me want to branch out and see more of Florida's Gulf area

[@Explorcation]

Thank you! You really can't go wrong with any of our St Pete area beach towns. They all have something to offer!

[@jodycapello]

Stump Pass is definitely my favorite of these 4. Your next close by beach visit should be Gasparilla Island/Boca Grande. The town is quaint and the beach is outstanding.

[@Explorcation]

Hi Jody, thanks so much for sharing your fave beach...and for the Boca Grande recommendation 😁 We actually did head back south and filmed there recently 🙌 You sure are right about it being a quaint town with an outstanding beach. We can't wait to share that episode. I think it will be a few weeks before it will be posted.

[@pholt5419]

I wonder how Ian affected the areas?? Any word?

[@LucasWorldTravel]

I can't get enough of seeing all of your lovely Florida sunsets! Beautiful! That rueben looks mighty good as well! Glad you guys had a much more relaxing day here.

[@Explorcation]

We sure needed a day like this after our adventures the day prior 😆 Thanks so much guys!

[@gabrielarich2015]

We love Englewood Beach so we vacation there several years in a row. They have the best beaches in my opinion and people are very friendly and welcoming. The thrift stores are great too

[@Explorcation]

We couldn't agree more about the beaches and the people, Gabriela. We have never checked out any of the thrift stores though. Now we'll have something new to try out for our next visit!

[@THEalexBallesee]

This is my regular go to when I go visit my grandparents in Port Charlotte. Can't wait to move down here out of the Midwest.

[@Explorcation]

It's such an underrated spot! We wish we lived closer than we do. If we did, we'd be on Manasota all the time!

[@fbanda20]

Being a Florida native most my life we've been to a lot of beaches. Most are so over crowded now that it takes away from the old Florida experience. Going to Manasota this summer for a week cant wait.

[@Explorcation]

We find that if you know the right spots and are willing to walk a bit, you can usually find some space to yourself even on the weekends. But the more popular areas definitely get way to crowded for our liking. You should definitely be able to find a stretch of beach that's not too busy on Manasota. We hope you have a great time!

[@danyelehayden3004]

I'll be spending 4 days on Manasota Key in July. Cannot wait.

[@Explorcation]

That sounds amazing. We hope you have a wonderful time!

[@summerlinpublic5673]

Looks like a nice day! That Reuben!!

[@Explorcation]

It was perfect for beach bumming 😊 as always we appreciate you watching ❤️

[@explorinwithlaurin]

Manasota beach looks super nice! A perfect looking beach day!

[@Explorcation]

That area really does have quite a bit to offer 😊 thanks so much for watching!

[@kaitsdiary]

very nice place i like the beach and ocean scenery looks beautiful nice trip friends

[@Explorcation]

Thanks so much for watching 😊

[@chrispham7064]

I always love to watch your videos. You guys the best of the best. Everything looked totally amazing, beautiful. Love you guys very much. Have a wonderful weekend.

[@Explorcation]

And we always love your comments, Chris! Thanks again for your continued support!

[@Jess-th4ci]

We are going there tomorrow! Very excited thank you for your video

[@Explorcation]

We hope you have a wonderful time, Jessica! Manasota Key is amazing.

[@kimkenney2301]

We love your channel! We're currently vacationing on Manasota Key, and we can't recommend this area highly enough. This is our 5th year coming back. We're staying on the bay almost directly across from Englewood Beach. We can walk to the restaurants, which is fantastic. Shopping is right across the bridge in Englewood. We try to visit a new beach every day, including Siesta Key and Nakomis.

[@Explorcation]

Yes, Manasota Key is amazing and we're so happy you guys had a chance to vacation there. Glad you had such a wonderful time!

[@AdventureEncounters]

Hello hello!! Just stopping by and showing some love =) Full watch for you friend and we look forward to seeing you again soon! -Ashley from Adventure Encounters

[@Explorcation]

Thanks so much, guys!!

[@ScullyPop]

This is the best travel channel.

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much for your kind words and support 😊❤️

[@FollowThomas]

I have never been there but I will now after watching your video. 👍

[@Explorcation]

We hope you have a great time when you make it there 😊

[@theb4122]

Stump Pass is one of our favorite beaches. Dolphins, Manatees and lots of shark teeth. You just need to get there early for a parking spot.

[@Explorcation]

Yes that is a really great beach. And we do agree that you need to get there early for parking, unless you are on a bike/scooter like we were.

[@OurTravelPlace]

Great video! I don't think I will ever get bored of vicariously beach hopping through you guys 😄 It would be so fun to combo it with some kayaking on that third beach. Love that you could see how many people were all lining up enjoying the sunset 🙂 I can't imagine potato and apple sauce. Sounds...a bit odd!

[@Explorcation]

Aww thanks 💕 maybe someday we can go Florida beach hopping together 🙌

[@OurTravelPlace]

@@Explorcation That would be fun!

[@AnaTravelstheworld]

This place is incredible!! 🥰🥰

[@Explorcation]

No disagreement from us, Ana! It's such a hidden gem!

[@TideKnotTravellers]

Love that you guys car camped, we have done that a few times during South West coastal trips in the UK, it’s weird waking up with daylight and windows all round 😄 so pleased your scooters were still safe in the Walmart car park! Manasota looks really great, love the sharks teeth in the path, it’s a cool idea. Skylar swimming at that second beach really makes us miss Florida beaches, the chicken and nachos must’ve been a great snack after the swim! 😋

[@Explorcation]

I do wish we would have filmed the experience car camping bc it would have been funny. We were sooo exhausted though. You are right it was weird waking up in the morning 😆 TBH I was just glad we were both able to sleep since it was our first time. I couldn't believe that we both forgot the scooters 😖 thankfully no one seemed to notice..otherwise we would be in the market for some new ones 😁 We hope you two get to visit some Florida beaches again. We would love to meet up in one of our wonderful beach towns 🙌

[@TheAverageTourist]

Wow what an amazing beach day you guys had! I've never tried car camping before - but not sure how comfy it would be. I'd give it a go though! Good thing your scooters were still there when you went back. Your brunch looked really good, and so did the Bloody Mary. I think I would have liked all the beaches. Especially the one with happy hour at the tiki bar. Always finding the yummiest looking food.

[@Explorcation]

We were so thankful to have better weather to fully enjoy these beaches 😊 Car camping went better than expected...but not something we would want to do too often. Definitely let us know what you think if you try it!

[@frosty6828]

Very informative video, I am looking forward to visiting. Was it recorded before or after hurricane Ian?

[@Explorcation]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. This video was recorded before Ian.

[@frosty6828]

@Explorcation so funny. Your comment is on point. I precisely arrived at Manasota Key 2mms ago.

[@Explorcation]

@@frosty6828 nice! We hope you enjoyed your time there!

[@AquariusTraveller]

Hey guys...Looking great and you sure haven't run out of beaches to show us yet...LOL I like your comparisons and especially showing the sand type - obviously having a little more black sand and being that little more warmer to walk on. we don't have that much black sand around here, more yellow and white - but have seem black sand beach in hawaii ! Stopping by yet another one of the hundreds of Tiki bars you seem to have over there - Always a winner! at the 10 minute mark there was a weird looking bird I've never seen before - do you know it's type? I just love ending a day with the perfect sunset - looks like you got an amazing one too - I was suppose to be doing the same this weekend but 3rd time our camping trip has been cancelled due to the rain and trying again in a couple of weeks! I might pass on the potatoes dipped in Apple sauce ...lol Thanks for sharing guys - love it as always :)

[@skylarwayne5184]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it would take us a couple more years to run out of beaches here in FL. And by that time they will have changed enough that we could do them over again 😂. Same with the tiki bars. I think the bird around the 10m mark was a blue heron. We hope the weather is more cooperative for your camping trip in a couple weeks!

[@AquariusTraveller]

@@skylarwayne5184 unfortunately looking like I'll be cancelling a forth time - Hasn't stopped raining much in the last month. As it's coming into winter, it's very unusual for us :(

[@BobCarlson]

I often wonder if you have a huge film crew to feed when you get those meals or have the metabolism of a nuclear reactor. But wow everything you order looks great.

[@Explorcation]

😆just the two of us! After some filming days we are sooo full. We do try to eat much healthier during the week to prepare for the delicious food we anticipate eating on the weekends!

[@pdogakron1623]

The potato pancakes are best in sour cream and applesauce

[@Explorcation]

Good to know, and thanks for sharing!

[@keithsnow]

They all looked pretty nice! I could use a beach about now.. will be on one end of July

[@Explorcation]

Yea we don't think you can go wrong with any of the options 😁 So glad to hear you will make it to a beach this summer 🙌 😎

[@TravelInteresante]

I know it is irrelevant but have to say, love your hair girl! :) Seeing these beautiful beaches and amazing nature motivates us more to move down there. (It is actually happening sooner than you may think ;) ) We want you to take us to all these places down South Florida and do a beer tasting together!

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much, it's getting SO long and hard to control in this Florida humidity! That's so exciting to hear about your upcoming move! You'll have to let us know if/when you have a definite timeframe for your move so we can start making some plans. We would love to show you guys around some of our favorite spots, and of course we are always down for trying a few beers!

[@BeingBedingfield]

Ooh, more on the car camping! We’d never be able to do that in South Africa 🙈 You guys really did a lot in one day! Spoiled for choice re beaches and food once again…I’ve said it before, but you’re so lucky to live where you do 😅 The pathway with the sharks teeth is so cool!

[@Explorcation]

Next time we car camp we will have to film our experience 😁 we learned a lot from our first attempt for sure.

[@eprohoda]

Yeah. very ood shots- goodbye!~ guy~

[@Explorcation]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@pdogakron1623]

Dip the potato pancakes in applesauce and sour cream, the way they're supposed to be eaten

[@Explorcation]

Ahh thanks for letting us know, I guess that means we will have to try them again!

[@shawnaustin8957]

👍👍

[@Explorcation]

Thank you 🙏❤️

[@dasauto75jh]

Jaime my wife and I are curious how often you apply your sunscreen. My wife is also a fairer skinned person. Since moving here she is unwilling to go to beach without a umbrella. I would like to lighten or load so we can explore more like you guys. I don’t want her getting burnt though. I tan like crazy so it’s not a big deal for me.

[@Explorcation]

Ahh being fairer skinned on the beach sure can be challenging. I typically try to reapply every 90 mins or so. But there are days I go much longer when I use my hat and a shirt that blocks some of the UVA/UVB rays. Using SPF shirts or rash guards have allowed me to spend much more time out on the beach. Skylar and I were in a similar situation when we moved here...he could stay out all day but I would really have to limit my time in the sun. One of my go to shirts is from Colombia ( similar to this one amzn.to/3sl0Mvy) it has great coverage and still stays cool. We hope you both are able to start exploring more on the beaches 😊

[@TrevorATX]

are there any beaches that have sand close to siesta key but that are down south further like near north port etc? or do you just need to be up north more near clearwater/sarasota

[@Explorcation]

We really like Manasota Key, Venice, and Don Pedro Island, all of which are pretty close to North Port. We have videos on all three if you wan to check them out!

[@RevolutionYLuke]

Question -- we are flying into Ft Myers in beginning of December and are still trying to choose what area to stay and house to pick. Been looking at Englewood, Cape Coral, or even Marco Island. We have large family. 6 kids ranging from 16 all the way down to newborn. Looking for a relaxing, low key, but fun trip. Having a home we enjoy being in with good sleeping situation is #1 for my wife. Want to of course spend lots of time at beach, so having it close is important. Perhaps do some kayaking, and stay somewhere that's not too crowded and noisy. My wife doesn't like crowds! LOL. Any tips or recommendations?

[@Explorcation]

Englewood would be a great pick. If you really want to get away from the crowds, perhaps Don Pedro Island. Marco can get a bit crowded, but it's another solid option. We just made a top 10 SW FL beaches video that may help you decide if you haven't already watched it!

[@RevolutionYLuke]

@@Explorcation thank you. I did watch that video and it helped cement Englewood as the best pick! Btw, as a videographer myself, the production quality of your content is excellent.

[@jessicaa8495]

Hi, which of the 4 beaches had the most sea shells?? :)

[@Explorcation]

From what we remember, the Stump Pass State Park (at the far south end of the island) had the most shell on it.

[@CyberCab-k9q]

LOL, seen the Key now after Ian, Helene and Milton. It’s destroyed and will never be its former self.

[@Explorcation]

You are right. The videos we've seen from the key are shocking. It will take a long time to recover and it will never be the same.

[@keynaanmedia5329]

Minnesota?

[@Explorcation]

Not quite 😂

[@TheJswerve]

Where ya'll from?

[@Explorcation]

We both live in St. Pete now, but we're from the midwest.

[@TheJswerve]

@@Explorcation I could tell. My wife and I grew up in Iowa and moved to SC.

[@jonp6840]

Sent you a message on FB, as a resident of Tampa Bay of 40 years, would love to share my secret spots

[@Explorcation]

Hi Jon, we would love to hear your secret spots. I haven't found your message on FB. Please send it again when you have time, or you can email [e-mail] Thanks so much for watching!

[@jamesrichard9722]

As a local; I can say that The White Elephant is the worst place you could eat; locally.

[@Explorcation]

Thanks for taking the time to comment, James. At the time, we were just looking for something that was not very busy, as we were starving but still had a long drive home. We wouldn't say that the food quality was the best, but portions and prices were good and the table by the water was nice. We'll be excited to try some new spots next time we visit the island!