Sarasota residents will soon have a chance to catch one of summer’s signature sky-watching events when June’s full moon, known as the Strawberry Moon, rises over the Gulf Coast.
The full Strawberry Moon will peak Monday, June 29, at 7:56 p.m. ET and should create ideal conditions for an evening walk, beach visit or waterfront view across some of Sarasota’s most popular public destinations.
Despite its name, the Strawberry Moon won’t appear pink or red. The name comes from the short strawberry harvest season traditionally observed in parts of North America around this time of year, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Here are some of the best places in Sarasota to watch it:
1. Bayfront Park
Address: 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota
Sarasota Bay offers open sightlines while downtown lights reflect off the water, creating one of the area’s most scenic places to watch moonrise. Stroll the waterfront path until you find a clear view of the eastern horizon and settle in before the moon appears.
Need a pre-moonrise snack or drink? O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill is steps away, and several waterfront restaurants at Marina Jack are nearby.
2. Bird Key Park
Address: 200 John Ringling Causeway, Sarasota
One of Sarasota’s most underrated moonrise spots, Bird Key Park offers wide-open views and less ambient light than downtown. Bring a chair or blanket and watch the moon climb above Sarasota Bay with the John Ringling Causeway (Ringling Bridge) creating a dramatic foreground for photos.
This is a particularly good pick if you want a quieter experience without leaving the city.
3. Lido Beach
Address: 400 Benjamin Franklin Drive, Sarasota
If your ideal moon viewing includes sand between your toes and a Gulf breeze, Lido Beach is tough to beat. Arrive early enough to catch sunset, then stay as the sky darkens and the full moon begins to rise.
Walk a bit away from the busiest beach access points for a more peaceful experience.
4. Siesta Beach
Address: 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key (on the north end)
Sarasota’s world-famous Siesta Beach becomes a different place after sunset. The wide shoreline gives visitors plenty of room to spread out, and the moon reflecting off the Gulf can make for a memorable summer evening.
Bring chairs, water and patience for parking if arriving close to moonrise, and expect traffic leaving afterward, too. Pro tip: Consider using a rideshare and making an evening of it while others sit in traffic by strolling Ocean Boulevard and stopping into nearby restaurants and bars for food, drinks and perhaps even some live music.
5. Turtle Beach
Address: 8918 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key (south end of the island)
For those looking to avoid larger crowds, Turtle Beach on the south end of Siesta Key offers a more relaxed setting with darker conditions and fewer distractions. The quieter atmosphere can make the moon appear even brighter as it rises.
Pack bug spray, enjoy the evening breeze and stay awhile once the moon clears the horizon.
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Why is June’s full moon called Strawberry Moon?
June’s full moon has traditionally been called the Strawberry Moon, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
The name “Strawberry Moon” has been used by Native American tribes to mark the time when strawberries ripen, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Other names used for June’s full moon are:
Will Strawberry Moon be red?
The moon may appear yellow-orange right after moonrise, with its light scattered and filtered by the Earth’s atmosphere, according to space.com.
When’s the best time to view June’s Strawberry Moon?
While the moon reaches 100% illumination at 7:56 p.m. ET, it will not be easily visible until the sun sets and twilight deepens.
The best time to look for the moon is during the evening hours of June 29 and again on June 30.
The full moon takes its lowest trajectory in the sky, rising just after sunset and staying relatively low on the southern horizon.
Look to the southeastern horizon at sunset on June 29 to see the Strawberry Moon climb into the early summer sky, advised space.com.
Click here to see moonrise and moonset times in your area.
June’s Strawberry Moon last micromoon of 2026
The full moon on June 29 will be the last micromoon of 2026.
Whether it’s the second or third micromoon of the year depends on who you check with, since there’s no agreement on the criteria used to determine how far away from Earth the moon has to be to be labeled as a micromoon, according to earthsky.org.
What is a micromoon?
Because the moon follows an elliptical path — not a perfect circle — around the Earth, there are times when it’s very close to Earth and times when it’s much farther away.
At its closest approach — known as perigee — it’s called a supermoon.
When the moon is at its farthest distance from Earth — known as apogee — it’s called a micromoon.
When are full moons in 2026?
Here’s when to expect each full moon this year:
Total solar eclipse coming in August 2026
A total solar eclipse will occur Aug. 12, 2026.
➤ Fun fact: A solar eclipse always occurs about two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse.
A partial lunar eclipse will occur Aug. 27, 2026.
Where is path of totality for 2026 total solar eclipse?
The path of totality for the total solar eclipse will be across Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, according to space.com.
Will the total solar eclipse be visible in Florida, US?
Sorry, but seeing even a partial solar eclipse won’t be possible in Florida.
Visibility in the U.S. will be limited to the Northeast and Alaska, according to timeanddate.com.
➤ See cities, states with view of a partial solar eclipse
Partial lunar eclipse coming in August 2026
A partial lunar eclipse will occur Aug. 27-28, 2026, and this will be visible across North America.
Will partial lunar eclipse be visible in Florida?
The partial lunar eclipse will begin at 9:23 p.m. ET Aug. 27 and ends at 3:01 a.m. Aug. 28.
It will be visible in Florida, although residents along the east coast may miss some of it since the moon may be low on the horizon during the peak portion of the eclipse.
Florida residents can expect to see about 93% of the moon to be in the Earth’s shadow, according to timeanddate.com.
➤ See view and timing from where you live
What is a lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, creating a shadow across the lunar surface.
June moon folklore
June moon folklore, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac includes:
Wade Tatangelo is the executive editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida dining and entertainment editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://news-journalonline.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 5 best places to watch Sarasota’s Strawberry Moon
Reporting by Wade Tatangelo and Cheryl McCloud, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Wade Tatangelo and Cheryl McCloud, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
