Updated September 2026
Looking for one of the more unique beaches on Florida's Gulf Coast? Beer Can Island, also known as Greer Island, is a secluded stretch of beach at the northern end of Longboat Key, Florida. Known for its white sand, driftwood, mangroves, seashells and beautiful Gulf views, Beer Can Island makes an easy addition to a Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island or Sarasota vacation.
We visited Beer Can Island as a family and loved exploring the beach, searching for seashells and taking pictures among the remaining driftwood. Unlike many of Florida's more developed beaches, this area has no restaurants, restrooms or other beach facilities, which gives it a much more natural feel.
In this guide, I'll show you how to get to Beer Can Island, where to park, what to expect when you arrive, what to bring and a few things I wish I had known before our visit.
Quick tip: There are two places commonly called Beer Can Island in this part of Florida. This guide is for Beer Can Island/Greer Island on Longboat Key, near Anna Maria Island — not the privately owned Beer Can Island/Pine Key in Tampa Bay.
Beer Can Island Quick Guide
Location: Northern tip of Longboat Key, Florida
Also known as: Greer Island
Cost: Free
Parking: Limited free parking near North Shore Road; arrive early
Restrooms: None on the beach
Food: None — bring your own drinks and snacks
Lifeguard: No
Best for: Beach walks, photography, shelling, picnics and sunsets
What to bring: Water, sunscreen, beach chairs, snacks, shell bag and anything else you'll need for the day
Good to know: Access and shoreline conditions can change with the tide, so check conditions before your visit.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The reviews of the items in this article are based on my own opinions, and I only recommend products, tours, or accommodations that I have personally used or would use during my own travels. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure policy
Parking at Beer Can Island
Even though it's secluded, this beach can get busy, though it was quiet during our visit. Parking can be a challenge as there is limited parallel parking along the street next to the beach entrance. You will want to park on N Shore Road in Longboat Key Florida. There are only a limited number of parking spaces, so I recommend arriving early. We arrived a little after 9am and were lucky to find several parking spaces on a Saturday.
Parking and beach access can change, so always follow current posted parking signs when you arrive. Do not park in private or restricted areas. If the limited parking near the north end of Longboat Key is full, another option is parking at Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island and walking across Longboat Pass Bridge.
Victoria from Florida Trippers has directions for parking at Coquina Beach and walking to this location. It is about a 2-mile walk.
GPS: 27.43659, -82.68937 location to the beach entrance which is also the area for street parking
This beach is FREE to visit. There are no facilities at this location and no lifeguard.
Things to Do at Beer Can Island
See the Famous Driftwood
One of the reasons I wanted to visit this beach was for the beautiful pictures I saw of the driftwood on the beach. Unfortunately, a few years ago the area was cleaned up of most of the driftwood for preservation of the beach and to allow access for boaters. But they did however leave a small section of the driftwood still on the beach on the northern end.
After parking we walked along the beach to the end of the island where the driftwood still remained. This beach is wide with plenty of room to set up a canopy or your beach chairs and relax for the day and have a picnic lunch.
The driftwood made for a beautiful backdrop of this already gorgeous beach. This fallen tree made the perfect spot to sit and take pictures while enjoying the view. The root system of the tree is amazing.
See the Large boulders on the beach
When the area was cleaned of the driftwood, huge rocks were placed at certain locations to prevent erosion. The rocks make for some beautiful pictures as the waves crash upon them. I didn’t see the sign until afterwards, but they do not want people climbing on the rocks for safety reasons.
Explore the Mangroves
There are mangroves that line the beach which provides an excellent opportunity to go hiking or hang a hammock on the tree and enjoy the ocean sounds as you relax or read a book.
Go Shelling on Beer Can Island
Some beautiful smaller seashells can be found on this island. I like to spend time searching for seashells at each beach we visit. I keep them in a large wooden bowl we have in our living room so we can enjoy the ocean vibe anytime. We use our seashell bags to collect our shells as we comb the beach. This bag zips up so we do not lose our shells as we continue to search for more seashells.
I love this picture below. How do plants grow from the sand?
What to Bring to Beer Can Island
Sunscreen - prevent sunburns, wear sunscreen
Insulated water bottle - bring water so you do not get dehydrated while sitting out in the sun
Small cooler - There are no restaurants or stores on this end of the island.
Seashell collecting bag - we use this bag to collect our seashells at the beach
Waterproof phone pouch - don’t let your phone get wet while taking pictures
Dry bag if kayaking - don’t lose your items into the water, keep them in a dry bag for safety
Shop my favorite beach-day essentials →
Explore Beer Can Island by Kayak
Want to experience Beer Can Island from the water? A guided kayak tour is another fun way to explore this area without worrying about finding one of the limited parking spaces near the beach. Some local kayak tours explore Beer Can Island, Jewfish Key and nearby sandbars with opportunities for shelling, snorkeling and spotting Florida wildlife.
Check prices and availability for a Beer Can Island kayak tour →
Coastal Wildlife Kayak Tour - explore the waters between Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key
The Island Tour - starts at Bradenton Beach and explores the surrounding areas
The areas on this island that we explored were very clean, the sand was soft and the waves were pretty erratic. There was a storm brewing so that is likely why the waves were that extreme. I imagine that the waves are not always this dramatic, but it made it more fun for my kids as they played in the waves with their stand-up paddle board.
Where to Stay Near Beer Can Island
If you're turning your Beer Can Island visit into a Florida Gulf Coast getaway, look for accommodations on Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach or Sarasota. Staying nearby also makes it easier to visit early in the morning before the limited parking fills.
Search hotels near Longboat Key →
Camping Florida on a Budget: Free and Cheap Campsites →
Beer Can Island FAQs
Where is Beer Can Island in Florida?
Beer Can Island, also known as Greer Island, is located at the northern end of Longboat Key on Florida's Gulf Coast, near Anna Maria Island and Sarasota. Don't confuse it with the Beer Can Island located in Tampa Bay.
Is Beer Can Island free?
Yes. There is no admission fee to visit the Beer Can Island/Greer Island beach area on Longboat Key.
Where do you park for Beer Can Island?
Limited parking can be found near North Shore Road on the northern end of Longboat Key. Parking conditions can change, so always follow posted signs and avoid private or restricted areas. Arriving early gives you the best chance of finding a nearby parking space.
Are there bathrooms at Beer Can Island?
There are no restrooms or typical beach facilities at Beer Can Island, so plan ahead and bring everything you will need during your visit.
Is there still driftwood on Beer Can Island?
Beer Can Island became well known for the large pieces of driftwood scattered along the shoreline. Much of the driftwood that once covered the beach has been removed over the years, but you can still find driftwood and natural scenery around the area.
Can you find seashells at Beer Can Island?
Yes. We found plenty of smaller shells during our visit. Shelling conditions change daily with tides and weather, so what you find will vary.
Can you kayak to Beer Can Island?
Yes. Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular ways to explore the waters around Longboat Key, and guided kayak tours are available in the area. Some tours visit Beer Can Island, nearby sandbars and Jewfish Key.
Are dogs allowed on Beer Can Island?
Longboat Key prohibits pets on its beaches and beach access areas, so leave pets at home when planning your visit.
When is the best time to visit Beer Can Island?
I recommend visiting earlier in the day when you're more likely to find parking and temperatures may be cooler. It's also a good idea to check the tide before your visit because water levels can affect portions of the beach and walking access.
How long should you spend at Beer Can Island?
Plan at least two hours if you mainly want to walk the beach, look for shells and take pictures. You can easily stay longer if you bring beach chairs, food and drinks and want to spend part of the day relaxing.
Is Beer Can Island worth visiting?
If you enjoy quieter Florida beaches, shelling, photography and natural coastal scenery, Beer Can Island is worth adding to a Longboat Key or Anna Maria Island trip. Just remember that this is an undeveloped beach without the facilities you'll find at larger public beaches.
Is Beer Can Island actually an island?
Not anymore. The tip of Longboat Key was once reachable only at low tide, but the beach has been renourished, and you can now walk about 0.8 miles to the Longboat Key bridge.
Like this post? Below are more Florida Travel Guides
Final Thoughts on Visiting Beer Can Island
Beer Can Island was a beautiful, quiet beach for our family to explore. We especially enjoyed searching for shells, seeing the remaining driftwood and spending time along the water. If you're visiting Longboat Key or Anna Maria Island, it's an easy place to add to your Florida Gulf Coast itinerary—just arrive early, check the tides and bring everything you'll need for your visit.
Enjoy your next beach journey,
Meet the author: Jennifer
I am a girl who loves to travel with my family and enjoys sharing expert family travel advice. I am a content creator and influencer on Instagram with years of travel experience and provide readers with advice, tips, and details on adventurous family travel and tips on saving money while boondocking or traveling across the US. You can usually find me dreaming up our next epic vacation or outside exploring natural landscapes. I am a fearless roadtripper who isn’t afraid to explore new and off the path adventures.
Follow me on social media to discover more travel ideas
Instagram @adoptinglifesjourney
Pinterest /adoptinglifesjourney
If this post was helpful, follow me on Instagram @adoptinglifesjourney and
Hashtag your photos at #adoptinglifesjourney
Need help planning a vacation? I am also a travel agent. Follow me on social media and send me a DM @exploringsunsetstravel for more travel inspiration or for a FREE travel quote.
Evolution Travel - Jennifer Sloan (evotravelagent.com)
New blog posts
Planning a West Lake Hangzhou boat ride? Learn where to find the traditional hand-rowed boats, how much they cost, wait times, how to get there from Shanghai, and tips from our two-hour ride.