Residents and visitors enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking, birding, swimming, wading, scuba diving and beachcombing. Ski Alley, the Intracoastal Waterway and several anchorages are popular with recreational boaters. Most of the public access to Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve is in the southern end of Lemon Bay through boat ramps, marinas and beaches such as Stump Pass Beach State Park. Don Pedro Island State Park offers excellent birding, swimming and snorkeling opportunities, but is accessible only by private boat or ferry.

• Stump Pass Beach State Park
• Don Pedro Island State Park
• Lemon Bay / Myakka Trail Scenic Highway