One of the most beautiful areas in the world, Sarasota, Florida, is a true paradise. Sarasota is located on the West Coast of Florida about 60 miles South of Tampa. Sarasota County has a land area of 573 sq. Miles and a population of 301,000.
The climate is
wonderful with an average annual winter temperature of 61.5 F and summer of 80.1 F. The average annual rainfall is 57.11 inches. Sarasota is located in the Eastern Standard ( and Daylight Savings ) Time Zone.
The beaches on
Siesta Key are always rated among the finest in the world.
Sarasota has some great
scuba diving.
A remarkable source of
information on Sarasota is available.
A Listing of
local accommodations is available here.
More information on the Sarasota area can be obtained from the
Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau located at 655 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 342336 - 941-957-1877 or 800-522-9799.
An excellent
tourist guide to Sarasota and neighboring cities is available here.
The dive charter boat
Giant Stride is moored at Fisherman's Warf Marina in Venice, FL. Venice is about 15 miles South of Sarasota. The marina has a great Restaurant in the complex. Charter fishing on the Imagine That is available call Captain Mark Sutherlin at 941=484-3483.
The
Sarasota Herald Tribune has a good web site.
The local cable TV station
Comcast has a nice web site.
A wonderful Chiropractor,
Dr Steve Gaeta, has an office in Sarasota. He can be reached at 941-921-7778.
Interested in shooting sports?
Shooter's Way, owned and operated by Larry Mills can be reached at 941-921-1619. He offers NRA firearm classes as well as all reloading, hunting and shooting supplies. You can even use his reloading machines.
Larry also owns
Ambit Electric. They can handle all your electrical needs both commercial and residential.
Need a security system? Take a look at
Dehart Alarm Systems web site. The owners are divers.
Hungry? Try
Demetrio's Pizzeria and Restaurant at 941-922-1585. The food is exceptionally good.
Looking for a new home? One of our PADI Master Instructors,
Jeannine Lehman is a Broker . She can be reached at 941-377-8113.
Another of our Instructors,
Bill Conte, owns his own insurance agency.
Need a Veterinarian?
Dr Jim Lanier is our critters doctor. 941-922-0756.
Need a jeweler? Simply the best is Terry Coffrin of
Coffrin's Jewelers. Terry has all the standard goodies and is a wonderful custom jeweler. 941-366-6871.
Need your automobile fixed? Try
Wayne's Automotive. Wayne has been keeping our cars and trucks running for years. 941-925-2702.
Dr Edward Feldman
is an outstanding Ophthalmologist. Reach him at 941-365-7676. He keeps Captain Al seeing.
For your eye glass needs see Danny Schmidt at
Soto Opticians. 941-955-0686. You will be hard pressed to meet a finer man.
Dr Jack Binns
, Internal Medicine, keeps Al and Trip ticking. 941-379-5121. Simply the best Internist in Sarasota.
For the finest in Plastic Surgery see
Dr Braun Graham at 941-366-8997.
Hope you never need a hospital, but if you do,
Columbia Doctors Hospital is the area's finest and offers excellent health care. 941-342-1100.
Outstanding Bar B Q can be had at the
Oaks. 941-922-7778. See Wendell for some great eats.
Try
Master Graphics for all of your printing and computer graphics needs. Contact Jim Moore at 941-923-4519. Jim has been FDU's printer for almost 20 years.
Captain Eddy's Restaurant
, just South of Sarasota, in Nokomis, is the best place to eat seafood that we know about. 941-488-4623.
The
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport has daily flights from many locations around the country.
Mote Marine Laboratory and Science Center is one of the world's premiere marine research facilities. The Science Center and Aquarium is a wonderful experience - a "must-see" in Sarasota.
A good web site with facts about Florida is available.