As recovery efforts continue across the Bay Area following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, several local beaches are beginning to reopen.

Manatee County Public Beach reopened earlier this week, though parking may be limited due to ongoing sand and debris clearance. Several businesses, including Anna Maria Island Beach Café, have also reopened.

County officials hope to reopen Coquina Beach by the weekend. Crews are raking the sand and using nearby parking areas for sand-sifting operations to return clean sand to the beaches, saving money, time, and effort.

Cortez Beach experienced more damage and will take longer to reopen. Beach access points remain closed, and debris still litters the sand. Crews must remove tons of sand and debris and repair infrastructure.

County officials, including District Three Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, Manatee County Director of Natural Resources Charlie Hunsicker, and Manatee County Deputy Director Parks and County Grounds Carmine DeMilio, will discuss their “fast-track timeline” to reopen the beaches at a press conference at 10:30 Friday morning.

Several Sarasota-area beaches will reopen Saturday, except for Lido Beach, which has been closed since September 25. Crews removed mountains of sand up to four feet high to access the damaged pavilion and sidewalks, followed by necessary repairs. Hurricane Helene damaged the concession area and public access points, including buckling sidewalks and walkways, with further damage from Hurricane Milton. Officials anticipate reopening Lido Beach soon.