As a longtime Tampa resident, Longboat Key’s my go-to Gulf Coast seashore vacation spot after I need to really feel completely transported. If you drive onto the northern finish of this sand-spun island throughout the Longboat Go 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 Key’s 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 Key’s fairly residential with quite a lot of full-time residents. There usually are not so many public seashores, so it affords a better side of privateness,” says Lauren Mincberg of Tampa, who regularly holidays right here along 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 appears like households have lived there and been touring there for generations, so that you see all completely different generations of individuals gathering collectively,” Mincberg says.

The most important 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 certainly one of Florida’s most coveted beachfront resorts.

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

Learn on for my finest ideas for visiting Longboat Key.

Greatest Motels & Resorts

The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort

Newly opened throughout the fall of 2024 as Longboat Key’s first main new resort improvement 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 attraction, with sweeping Gulf of Mexico views by way of floor-to-ceiling home windows that forged a silvery glow upon all the things. On-site facilities embrace a 500,000-gallon saltwater lagoon the place visitors can snorkel amongst (de-barbed) southern stingrays and hundreds of tropical fish; a 20,000-square-foot spa full with a sauna, chilly plunge, steam room, and personal pool overlooking the seashore; a winding river; and separate household and adults-only swimming pools fronting the gulf. The resort’s beautiful foyer bar rapidly turned a favourite amongst refined locals. And on-site eating places embrace the wonderful 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 Seaside 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 seashore trip on the 187-room Zota Beach Resort combines the perfect of a luxurious resort in a contemporary setting, with rooms and one-bedroom suites (the latter have kitchenettes) embellished with modern furnishings and vivid paintings. On a balmy Florida night time, there’s nothing like sipping from the in depth wine listing 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

Should you’d love a seashore 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 Seaside Resort

Positioned roughly mid-island on Longboat Key, this low-key condo-style property has individually owned items straight on the seashore. 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 in style with vacationing households.

Sand Cay Seaside Resort

Right here’s one other nice guess for a condo-style stick with items positioned straight on an attractive stretch of Gulf of Mexico beachfront. The pool at Sand Cay Beach Resort could not have gulf views, however the seashore isn’t 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. The entire 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 an attractive on-the-water journey by way of Sarasota Bay and the Intracoastal. A complimentary bottle of bubbly will likely be popped as you scout for dolphins and manatees and await 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 respiration within the recent air and views among the many banyan and mangrove timber of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, which not too long ago expanded with extra gardens, a welcome middle, and an amazing little restaurant, The Green Orchid. St. Armands Circle brims with sidewalk cafes and buying.

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 Might by way of October. Chances are you’ll get fortunate and see hatchlings making their means 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 seashore throughout free sea turtle walks after darkish with Longboat Key Turtle Watch to study extra about these particular animals from the folks 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 means throughout guided kayaking excursions with Happy Paddler that launch from the island’s scenic shores into Sarasota Bay. Households with youthful youngsters love the Coastal Island Tour, which takes them between Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key the place they could 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 aspect of the island that’s a favourite off-the-beach spot for catching the sundown. Bayfront Park’s many facilities embrace 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 seashore 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 making an attempt the important thing lime pie.

Euphemia Haye

With simply 28 seats, Euphemia Haye could be Longboat Key’s most romantic reservation for high-quality eating that appears 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 folks) 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 crammed with artwork and tropical crops.

Shore

Boaters relish arriving by the water on the dockside Shore, simply south of Longboat Go and west of Jewfish Key (however don’t fret — you may get right here by land, too).  Shrimp ceviche and guacamole goes down simple with a frosty margarita, and you’ll by no means go fallacious with one thing hooked regionally, just like the pan-seared snapper with citrus butter or miso-marinated black grouper. A lot 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 identified 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 below 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 accordance with the county’s Economic Development Corporation, so it’s simple to spend most of your time exterior 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. Understand that Florida’s hurricane season runs between June 1 and the tip of November.

Easy methods to Get There

Arriving in Longboat Key’s a cinch because of 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 elements once 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).

Easy methods to Get Round

Bikes: Longboat Key’s 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 seashore cruisers, geared bikes, youngsters 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, which you could order through the app or a cellphone name for as much as 4 passengers.