If there is one secret about the Gulf Coast that locals hold close, it is this: September is often the very best beach month of the year. The water has had all summer to warm up and still sits around 85 degrees, the heavy crowds of summer fade once school is back in session, and the light turns that softer golden tone that photographers chase. It is also, happily, shark teeth season at one of my favorite stretches of sand. Here is how I spend a September beach day.
Start with Shark Teeth at Caspersen Beach
Just south of downtown Venice, Caspersen Beach is known as the Shark Tooth Capital of the World, and for good reason. Its shoreline is made of the same fossil-rich shell and pebble hash that has been turning up sharks' teeth for generations. The key to finding them is simple: go at low tide, when the receding water exposes the freshest layer of fossils. A storm that has churned up the Gulf makes the hunting even better in the days right after, so do not let a passing system keep you away, it can be a gift.
Bring a small sifter or a colander and a little patience, and you will likely go home with a handful of shiny black teeth to sort through on the picnic table. It is a slower, more meditative kind of beachgoing, and I love it for that. It is the sort of place where the whole Venice coastline rewards a careful eye, and it makes a perfect excuse to spend a few unhurried hours by the water.
Then Make It a Full Beach Day
Because you are already on the south county coast, it is easy to turn the morning into a full day out. Head into downtown Venice for lunch on Venice Avenue, where the sidewalk cafes are quieter now than they were in July, then spend the afternoon on the sand. For a completely different stretch of quartz, Siesta Key is about a half-hour north, with its famous soft white beach and the Village of Siesta Key right behind it.
One reminder for anyone visiting this time of year: sea turtle nesting season runs through the fall, so keep beach lights off after dark and give any marked nests and their hatchlings plenty of space. It is a small courtesy that keeps our coastline special for the turtles that return here every season.
The Quiet Season Is a Gift
What I love most about September beach days is the space. The parking is easier, the shore has room to breathe, and you can actually hear the surf instead of a crowd. It is the perfect time for a beach day with your dog, a long walk at sunset, or a picnic supper as the tide comes in.
If you have been weighing a move to the coast, come visit in September and see the Gulf at its most relaxed. I would be glad to show you around, from the beaches to the communities where a beach-day life is a daily reality. Reach out and let's plan your visit.