If you prefer neighborhoods with more breathing room and access to nature, Skye Ranch might be the right place for you. More than a residential community, this master-planned neighborhood offers a lifestyle built around outdoor living, connection, and a deep appreciation for nature.
If you’re searching for things to do in Sarasota, FL, this vibrant community puts outdoor experiences right at your doorstep.
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SCENIC TRAILS AND NATURE WALKS
Enjoy a daily dose of fresh air on Skye Ranch’s scenic walking trails.
Skye Ranch was designed with over 25 miles of walking and fitness trails woven throughout the community. These paths wind through forested wetlands, serene lakes, and grand oaks, offering an immersive nature experience right at your doorstep. Whether you’re walking solo or out with the kids, these trails offer a safe and scenic way to stay active and unplugged.
Nearby, The Legacy Trail and Myakka River State Park provide extended hiking routes through prairies, forests, and marshes. Both are Sarasota, Florida attractions that highlight the region’s natural beauty, encourage year-round outdoor activity, and appeal to residents of all ages.
WATER-BASED RECREATION
Skye Ranch’s lakes and ponds enhance the landscape while offering many homes direct waterfront views.
When it’s time to cool off or stay active, the community features an impressive lineup of swimming amenities. The main amenity center includes a resort-style pool, junior Olympic lap pool, kids’ pool, and a splash pad. These pools, designed with fitness, fun, and family time in mind, are ideal for everything from low-impact exercise to weekend playtime with the kids.
Top beaches near Skye Ranch
Siesta Key Beach is around 25 minutes away from Skye Ranch via FL 72.
With several beautiful beaches less than 30 minutes away, Skye Ranch residents can easily enjoy the coastal lifestyle whenever they choose. These are some of the Gulf Coast’s coastal attractions near Sarasota:
- Siesta Key Beach. Famed for its powdery white quartz sand that stays cool underfoot (even on hot days), Siesta Key Beach is regularly ranked among the best beaches in North America. The beach features calm, blue waters and plenty of space for sunbathing and swimming.
- Nokomis Public Beach. Positioned along Casey Key, Nokomis Public Beach is a quiet alternative that’s perfect for shell-collecting or laid-back beach time.
- Venice Beach. Known as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World,” Venice Beach features a long pier, soft sands, and opportunities for fossil hunting, swimming, and scenic walks.
Paddling adventures nearby
For Skye Ranch residents looking to get out on the water, paddling and kayaking are the top things to do in Sarasota, FL. Two of the area’s most popular spots are at Oscar Scherer State Park and Lido Key’s mangrove tunnels.
Oscar Scherer State Park is home to South Creek, a slow-moving blackwater stream that winds through oak hammocks and flatwoods. Surrounded by native vegetation and wildlife, the area is a great place to spot wading birds, turtles, or even otters if you’re lucky.
A more adventurous and immersive paddling experience can be found at Lido Key’s mangrove tunnels. Located west of downtown Sarasota, this network of narrow, shaded waterways winds through thick mangrove forests, creating a tunnel-like effect that’s both beautiful and serene. As you paddle through the calm waters, you’ll likely encounter manatees, dolphins, herons, and other coastal wildlife.
CYCLING AND FITNESS ROUTES
Whether you ride to train, unwind, or explore, biking is a powerful way to stay active, reduce stress, and feel more connected to your surroundings. And when you live at Skye Ranch, cycling easily fits into your everyday routine, not just occasional outings.
Many of Skye Ranch’s wide, paved trails double as scenic cycling routes. The network supports everything from casual family rides to fitness-focused loops with mild elevation. For longer outings, The Legacy Trail nearby connects Sarasota to Venice over 18.5 miles of uninterrupted riding.
Catch a glimpse of graceful herons wading through the wetlands at Myakka River State Park.
Skye Ranch includes 387 acres of preserved wetlands, lakes, and green space that support a variety of Florida wildlife, from wading birds and turtles to deer and native pollinators. These protected areas not only enhance the community’s natural beauty but also provide residents with everyday opportunities to observe local ecosystems up close.
Myakka River State Park
Around 15 minutes away from Skye Ranch, Myakka River State Park offers one of the most unforgettable wildlife and eco activities in Sarasota, Florida. With over 58 square miles of protected nature, this park is a sanctuary for native wildlife and rare ecosystems.
The park’s most famous residents are its alligators. Since Myakka’s wetlands and lakes are home to one of the largest populations of alligators in the region, alligator sightings here are practically guaranteed, especially along the park drive or the shores of Upper Myakka Lake. Just remember to keep a respectful distance (and a camera ready).
Myakka River State Park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise. Whether you’re an experienced birder or just learning to tell a heron from an egret, birdwatching along Myakka’s Birdwalk is among the top Sarasota, FL things to do. From November through mid-April, a bird naturalist is often on-site to help visitors identify the area’s feathered residents, including ospreys, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, egrets, ibises, and even endangered wood storks.
Myakka is also part of the Wings Over Florida program, making it a great place to start or expand your birding checklist with over a hundred species to discover.
Wildlife tours and eco exploration in Myakka River State Park
For a more immersive look at the ecosystem, hop aboard a boat tour on Upper Myakka Lake. These guided excursions in Sarasota, FL glide through the park’s freshwater basin and offer close-up views of marshes, gators, and flocks of wading birds.
If you prefer things to do on land, you can explore the dry prairie trails, one of the rarest and most biodiverse ecosystems in North America. On any given day, you might spot bobcats, deer, wild turkeys, gopher tortoises, otters, or even a shy wild boar.
MAKE SKYE RANCH YOUR HOME TODAY
More than just a place to call home, Skye Ranch is a gateway to an active, fulfilling lifestyle where adventure is always within reach. From peaceful nature walks to family-friendly recreation, this vibrant community in Sarasota, FL offers plenty of things to do when it comes to the outdoors.
When you start searching for the ideal property in this exceptional community, you need a real estate professional who understands both the lifestyle opportunities Skye Ranch offers and the local market inside and out. That’s where I come in. I’m Justin Tarica, and I bring nearly a decade of real estate experience, along with firsthand insight as a homeowner, investor, and advisor.
Let me help you navigate buying a Skye Ranch home today. Give me a call at 941.782.0000 or send an email today.