Experience Coastal Elegance: Longboat Key's Blend of Nature, Luxury, and Sophistication.
Renowned for its elegant charm and well-maintained environment, Longboat Key epitomizes coastal luxury. Boasting stunning beaches and abundant wildlife, it seamlessly blends natural beauty with upscale conveniences. The island is a haven for those seeking a more sophisticated beach experience, featuring exclusive boutiques and gourmet dining options, making it a premier location for discerning homebuyers and sellers.
Longboat Key (for locals…LBK!) – is a coveted and beautiful barrier island of Sarasota known for its stunning ten-mile stretch of white sand beaches, tranquil atmosphere, upscale resorts, and peaceful, idyllic coastal setting. Longboat is far enough from the mainland of Sarasota to provide a feeling of being miles from the commotion of daily life, while being a little over a mile from world class shopping and restaurants in St. Armands Circle and just four miles from mainland Sarasota.
Longboat Key is the only barrier island of Sarasota with a world-class resort, The Longboat Key Club which includes a resort hotel, 45-hole championship golf course, tennis/pickleball courts, 5 restaurants, a full spa, a private beach, and the largest deep-water marina on the west coast of Florida, The Moorings (291 slips). The “Club” is private, with a membership to the Longboat Key Club necessary to enjoy golf and the many amenities. Hotel guests staying at the Resort at the Longboat Key Club can also play golf/tennis/pickleball for a nominal fee. As you can imagine, the 410-acre property encompassing the Longboat Key Club is an essential factor in making “LBK” one of Sarasota’s most coveted barrier islands.
Another major factor in maintaining the relaxed, private feel of the island is the fact that LBK is its own incorporated entity (Town of Longboat Key), is very well managed, and supports strict limits on short-term rentals. Typically, rentals have a one-month minimum with many of the more prominent communities requiring a three-month minimum. This differs greatly across the other islands with Siesta Key and Anna Maria Island having a more lenient view, allowing weekly or in some circumstances daily rentals.
The Residences at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort is the newest addition to the island and is located on LBK’s south end. This 5-star oceanfront community features a 166-room luxury hotel and 69 private residences and is planned to complete construction in January of 2025.
The island has a mix of permanent residents and seasonal visitors who enjoy its unique blend of beachfront living and small-town charm. The beautiful white sand beaches and predominately shallow water is great for swimming and enjoying all type of water sports with your family.
There is no large public beach on LBK, but there are 12 public beach access points throughout the island for those coming to enjoy the beach for the day. The access points are typically limited in size and available parking and in some cases no parking is available. The beach access at Bayfront Park offers the most generous parking facility and there is a pedestrian signaled walkway to cross Gulf of Mexico drive to the beach.
As you can imagine, the boating lifestyle on LBK is what dreams are made of. Whether you are looking for a single-family home or condo, there are many options to have a boat at your fingertips. For example, the bay-side development of Country Club Shores on LBK’s south end, is composed of approximately 400 homes located on 19 canals, which are wide enough to accommodate sizable lifts and all types of watercraft. If you are considering condominium life, there are several bay-side communities that have boat slips/lifts available for their residents. There are also two marinas on the island that offer boat storage, Cannons Marina and the Boathouse on Longboat, if you want easy access to your watercraft.
LBK boasts a single gas station, "Mobil," located right next to the premier real estate broker, LBKathy.com, at 440 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
Although LBK is not densely developed, there is still a rich variety of dining options, ranging from casual beachfront eateries to fine dining establishments. There are many options, but here are some local favorites:
(Remember, the most popular local fish is grouper, snapper, and Gulf shrimp)
With St. Armand’s Circle less than one mile from the south end of LBK, there is limited shopping on the island itself.
Kathy Callahan wants to help each of her customers with everything they might need when it comes to buying or selling a home. She cares about each of her clients as a friend, and her services reflect that dedication. Give her a call today to see what she can do for you.