Snake Island

Snake Island is a popular boating destination at the mouth of the Venice Inlet, aka Venice Jetties. It is between Venice, Florida and Nokomis, Florida and directly contacts the Intracoastal Waterway.

The island is small enough to throw a coconut from one side to the other. Although it is maintained by Sarasota County Parks and Recreation, it is left natural and does not have restroom facilities, running water, electricity etc. Weekends will find dozens of boaters encircling the island, some beach their smaller vessels on the shoreline and others anchor in the shallows. Most weekends will find families and small groups camping overnight. Snake Island has become a popular social hot spot where locals go to hang out and enjoy the water.

During a strong incoming or outgoing tide, it is advised to stay close to the island sandbars as the current can get strong. Contrary to the name, Snake Island is not infested with snakes and there is no harmful wildlife on the island.

In 2014, Snake Island underwent a major restoration due to erosion. Non-native vegetation was removed and replaced. The eroded sand was replaced with dredged sand and the edges of the island were reinforced with rock to prevent further erosion.