Longboat Key Beaches

Longboat Key has ten miles of sandy beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, but offers limited public access. This makes for miles of quiet beaches that are mostly private. This is an island of tall beach front condominiums, golf courses, tennis courts and exclusive resorts. But if you know where to look, you'll find quite a few Old-Florida style beach motels tucked beneath the whispering Australian pines and tropical foliage.

Longboat Key is located off the coast of Sarasota, between Anna Maria Island to the North, and Lido Key to the south. Curiously, there is no bridge directly from the mainland to Longboat Key. To arrive on the Key, you'll have to travel from Sarasota to Lido Key via John Ringling Boulevard, then drive from Lido Key onto the south end of Longboat Key.

Or, from Bradenton, you will take Cortez Road to Anna Maria Island and head south on Gulf Drive, which will take you right over the bridge to the northern end of Longboat Key.

Without question, one of the best beaches on Longboat Key for public access is located at the north end of the island in an area called Whitney Beach and Beer Can Island. The remainder of the island is mostly private and is enjoyed by the residents and guests of the many resorts and condominiums on the island. However there are a few public access points that will get you to the beach and provide a place to park your car, though they do not generally offer restroom facilities. Longboat Key does not provide lifeguards on its beaches.

Here are several of the better access points:

• Atlas Street and Gulf of Mexico Drive. This unpaved access has parking for about 30 cars.
• 4001 Gulf of Mexico Drive. This is one of the most scenic locations on the Key because the road runs right along the beach. Parking is available at Bayfront Park about 600 feet to the north of the access.
• 3945 Gulf of Mexico Drive. This access provides unpaved parking on both sides of Gulf Drive and offers about 1,000 feet of quiet beach.
• 3355 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Located at Westfield Street (not marked). Unpaved parking for roughly 20 cars.
• 3175 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Unpaved parking for a handful of cars. Right next to The Diplomat Resort.

Fine dining prevails on Longboat Key, with famous restaurants like Euphemia Haye, Mar Vista Dockside and Moore's Stone Crab on the northern end of the island. Down south, look for perennial favorites like the Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, Chart House, and Pattigeorge's. Don't look for Burger King on Longboat Key.

Longboat Key is an island of private condominiums and condominium resorts. They are all nicely kept and well-landscaped. Although condominiums dominate, Longboat Key resort hotels do have properties on the island like the Resort at Longboat Key Club and Hilton Hotels. Off the beach, golf courses and tennis courts are common amenities for island resort guests. Old-Florida style accommodations do still exist, keeping the tradition alive. And don't ignore the possibility of a beach house on Longboat Key.

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