Travel Guide to Florida’s Charming Longboat Key

As a longtime Tampa resident, Longboat Secret is my go-to Gulf Coast seaside vacation spot after I need to really feel completely transported. Whenever you drive onto the northern finish of this sand-spun island throughout the Longboat Cross Bridge — with the glittering expanse of the Gulf of Mexico and bobbing boats throughout — it feels a lot like being within the Florida Keys. And since a lot of Longboat Secret is residential, the seashores right here hardly ever really feel crowded. Wherever you keep, simply stroll a bit north or south, and also you’ll seemingly end up alone with the shorebirds on the sand.

“Longboat Secret is fairly residential with lots of full-time residents. There usually are not so many public seashores, so it provides a better side of privateness,” says Lauren Mincberg of Tampa, who incessantly holidays right here together with her household at Moku, a Polynesian-inspired, five-bedroom home they function as a trip rental on an island off Longboat Key.

“Longboat actually looks like households have lived there and been touring there for generations, so that you see all totally different generations of individuals gathering collectively,” Mincberg says.

The largest information of late on this barrier island simply minutes west of downtown Sarasota is the autumn 2024 opening of super-luxe St. Regis Resort Longboat Key, positioned roughly mid-island on Longboat Key. Fronting a stunning stretch of white sand with unbelievable facilities like a waterfront tiki bar, the Monkey Bar, it’s already poised to grow to be one in all Florida’s most coveted beachfront resorts.

“Longboat Secret is nearly serenity and pure magnificence, after which you may have the sophistication of St. Armands Circle and Saraosta proper close by,” says the lodge’s basic supervisor, Winfred van Workum. “The restriction on excessive rises retains it very beach-like right here. Individuals comment that it’s just like the Caribbean or South Pacific.”

Learn on for my finest suggestions for visiting Longboat Key.

Greatest Resorts & Resorts

The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort

Newly opened throughout the fall of 2024 as Longboat Key’s first main new resort growth in over half a century, The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort sprawls throughout acres fronting the glowing Gulf of Mexico and ushers in a brand new period of luxurious for guests to the island. Rooms and suites have a yacht-like enchantment, with sweeping Gulf of Mexico views via floor-to-ceiling home windows that forged a silvery glow upon every part. On-site facilities embody a 500,000-gallon saltwater lagoon the place visitors can snorkel amongst (de-barbed) southern stingrays and 1000’s of tropical fish; a 20,000-square-foot spa full with a sauna, chilly plunge, steam room, and personal pool overlooking the seaside; a winding river; and separate household and adults-only swimming pools fronting the gulf. The resort’s attractive foyer bar shortly grew to become a favourite amongst refined locals. And on-site eating places embody the superb Riva for coastal Italian fare, Nikkei-style Oshen (an unbelievable al fresco perch for sundown and sushi), and CW Prime, the place steaks and seafood sizzle on the Josper grill.

Zota Seashore Resort

Take a dip within the infinity-edged pool overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, sit back in your waterfront balcony, or settle in with a mai tai and mahi mahi tacos by the pool bar. A seaside trip on the 187-room Zota Beach Resort combines one of the best of a luxurious resort in a contemporary setting, with rooms and one-bedroom suites (the latter have kitchenettes) embellished with up to date furnishings and brilliant paintings. On a balmy Florida evening, there’s nothing like sipping from the intensive wine checklist at Viento Kitchen+Bar, with a Caribbean and Florida-inspired menu and a glass wall of doorways that folds open to let the silky breeze inside.

The Resort at Longboat Key Membership

If you happen to’d love a seaside trip with the Gulf of Mexico at your step and loads of tennis and pickleball courts ready for play, The Resort at Longboat Key Club  is tough to beat for an energetic escape. A part of Opal Assortment, the all-encompassing property sprawls throughout 410 acres with 226 visitor rooms and suites and has two waterfront golf programs, a deep-water marina, a full-service spa, and 5 eating places, together with the farm-to-table Tavern & Whiskey Bar.

SeaHorse Seashore Resort

Positioned roughly mid-island on Longboat Key, this low-key condo-style property has individually owned models instantly on the seaside. Select from studios and one- and two-bedroom lodging at SeaHorse Beach Resort, all with full kitchens, balconies, or patios overlooking the pool and Gulf of Mexico, barbecue grills, and on-site laundry services. The SeaHorse is a favourite for longer stays and vacationers in search of an at-home really feel, and it is significantly common with vacationing households.

Sand Cay Seashore Resort

Right here’s one other nice guess for a condo-style stick with models situated instantly on a gorgeous stretch of Gulf of Mexico beachfront. The pool at Sand Cay Beach Resort could not have gulf views, however the seaside will not be far, and there is a waterfront communal out of doors barbecue space set simply again from the dunes the place you’ll be able to grill up dinner whereas gazing out on the shimmering water. All the condos are individually owned and embellished, with full kitchens and balconies or patios for having fun with the views.

Greatest Issues to Do

Set sail on a sundown cruise.

You’ll be picked up about an hour and a half earlier than sundown to sail out with Four Keys Charters on a gorgeous on-the-water journey via Sarasota Bay and the Intracoastal. A complimentary bottle of bubbly can be popped as you scout for dolphins and manatees and watch for the principle occasion — watching the golden orb sink over the Gulf of Mexico and switch the sky pleasant shades of pink and orange.

Discover Sarasota.

Thriving and artsy downtown Sarasota is only a few minutes away from Longboat Key. Put a go to to the unbelievable Ringling museum and its gorgeously landscaped grounds in your itinerary in addition to a while spent respiratory within the contemporary air and views among the many banyan and mangrove timber of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, which just lately expanded with extra gardens, a welcome heart, and an excellent little restaurant, The Green Orchid. St. Armands Circle brims with sidewalk cafes and purchasing.

Study sea turtles.

Seven species of sea turtles — together with loggerhead, inexperienced, and hawksbill turtles — nest and hatch on the powder-fine sands of Longboat Key from Could via October. You might get fortunate and see hatchlings making their method towards the water throughout a morning stroll or catch a mom sea turtle lumbering ashore right here after darkish. On Saturdays in June and July, you’ll be able to head to the seaside throughout free sea turtle walks after darkish with Longboat Key Turtle Watch to study extra about these particular animals from the individuals working to guard them.

Scout for manatees and dolphins throughout a guided kayaking tour.

Florida’s iconic nature is throughout you on Longboat Key, and one of the simplest ways to expertise it upclose is by getting out on the water in a quiet method throughout guided kayaking excursions with Happy Paddler that launch from the island’s scenic shores into Sarasota Bay. Households with youthful children love the Coastal Island Tour, which takes them between Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key the place they may see dolphins and manatees. Look out for the elusive inexperienced flash when the solar goes beneath the horizon throughout sundown paddling excursions.

Play some pickleball or shuffleboard at Bayfront Park.

The city of Longboat Key owns this dog-friendly county park on the bay facet of the island that’s a favourite off-the-beach spot for catching the sundown. Bayfront Park’s many facilities embody devoted pickleball courts, tennis courts, a playground, and a kayak launch.

Greatest Eating places

Whitney’s

Longboat Key and Sarasota locals love this diner for its come-as-you-are environment and frosé all day on Saturday and Sunday, when the brunch crowd arrives by seaside cruiser and golf cart for breakfast burritos and biscuits and gravy. Whitney’s cinnamon and sugar ricotta donut holes are a fan favourite, and don’t go away with out attempting the important thing lime pie.

Euphemia Haye

With simply 28 seats, Euphemia Haye may be Longboat Key’s most romantic reservation for superb eating that looks like a real native secret. Italian shrimp dishes and cannelloni, roasted duckling, and Grecian lamb shank are among the many menu favorites. After dinner, small events (not more than six individuals) can slip upstairs to the Haye Loft for a drink within the lounge terrace or handmade desserts by the restaurant’s pastry chef within the Dessert Room.

Sips & Gelato

Tucked away in Whitney Plaza on the northern finish of Longboat Key, Sips & Gelato does cold-pressed juices and impeccable espresso drinks and gelato. Open early til round 2 p.m., it’s a breakfast and brunch favourite for pastries, smoothies, bagel sandwiches, avocado toast, and extra in a setting stuffed with artwork and tropical vegetation.

Shore

Boaters relish arriving by the water on the dockside Shore, simply south of Longboat Cross and west of Jewfish Key (however don’t fret — you may get right here by land, too).  Shrimp ceviche and guacamole goes down straightforward with a frosty margarita, and you’ll by no means go unsuitable with one thing hooked domestically, just like the pan-seared snapper with citrus butter or miso-marinated black grouper. Many of the tables overlook the water, too.

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill

One other waterfront favourite with loads of al fresco tables on a dockside patio, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill is beloved among the many boat crowd, too. It is recognized for excellent grouper sandwiches, lobster tacos, and a divine key lime pie.  Panoramic views of Sarasota Bay are the cherry on high.

Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant

Tables set on the sand beneath flowering timber overlooking Sarasota Bay make Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant a best choice whether or not you’re celebrating an important day or in search of one thing laid-back with a real sense of place. Come for beer-battered hogfish and chips and Southern-inflected fare just like the shrimp po boys, crab cake sandwich, or corn and jalapeno hush puppies.

Greatest Time to Go to

Longboat Key and surrounding areas in Sarasota County are awash in 255 days of sunshine a 12 months, in response to the county’s Economic Development Corporation, so it’s straightforward to spend most of your time outdoors having fun with all that vitamin D. Winters can get a bit nippy when cool fronts transfer alongside the coast, however spring and fall are reliably balmy. Remember the fact that Florida’s hurricane season runs between June 1 and the tip of November.

Methods to Get There

Arriving in Longboat Secret is a cinch due to the expansion of Sarasota-Bradenton Worldwide Airport and airlines like American and Allegiant Air adding routes here. You’ll have much more choices for touchdown in these components whenever you fly into Tampa Worldwide Airport, roughly 58 miles (lower than 1.5 hours by automotive) to the north or St. Pete-Clearwater Worldwide Airport, simply 50 miles to the north ( roughly one hour away).

Methods to Get Round

Bikes: Longboat Secret is prime for exploring on two wheels, with a car-free bike path working the size of the barrier island with entry to seashores and eating places. Ride & Paddle rents seaside cruisers, geared bikes, children bikes, and bikes with trailers and kiddie seats.

Share rides and public transit: The Breeze Transit community operates bus and trolley routes in Sarasota County and a curb-to-curb rideshare service utilizing minivans and SUVs, Breeze OnDemand, you could order by way of the app or a cellphone name for as much as 4 passengers.