If you want to feel transported to a tropical island without ever leaving the country, a quick trip across Longboat Pass Bridge could be just what the doctor ordered. Connecting the barrier island of Longboat Key to Sarasota and Florida’s mainland, the drawbridge serves as a portal into another world. Cross over and suddenly your worries seem far away. The turquoise, blue-green water stretches as far as the eye can see and the white-sand beaches start beckoning your name. The largely residential area is home to around 7,500 people, so you’ll never feel overrun by tourists. However, there are some pretty big draws for out-of-towners looking to spend a week enjoying the area, including great restaurants, a brand-new luxury resort, and plenty of public beaches sure to put you on island time in a jiffy. Here are the 12 best things to do in Longboat Key, Florida.
What To Do In Longboat Key, Florida
Spend A Day On The Beach
With the Gulf of Mexico on the west and the Sarasota Bay on the east, there’s no shortage of shoreline for visitors hoping to find a sunny spot in the sand. If you’re hoping to splash in the salty ocean waves, 12 different public beach access points are dispersed, mostly along Gulf of Mexico Drive, with varying amenities and parking spaces. The beaches aren’t monitored by lifeguards, so swim at your own risk and be sure to observe rules that prohibit camping, fires, and animals.
longboatkey.org/visitors/beaches
Take A Kayak Tour
Head to Bayfront Park for the incredible opportunity to explore mangrove islands via kayak thanks to rentals from Happy Paddler. You can rent a kayak or paddleboard and set out on your own (with an easy-to-read map in hand!) to paddle through the forested islands, looking out for pods of dolphins and manatees all along the way. The company also offers guided tours where a guide will help you spot even more wildlife and give more context about the natural habitats you’re traversing through.
happypaddler.com; 522 Cedar Street, Longboat Key, FL 34228; 941-773-1920
Visit A Nature Park
Part of what makes Longboat Key so special is its natural beauty, so take some time to soak in its many scenic views and gorgeous preserves at two public parks. John M. Durante Park is a 32-acre site on Sarasota Bay that represents both wetland and coastal dune forest. In addition to a beach, you’ll also find hiking trails, picnic facilities, and a fishing pier there. Enjoy the wetlands, mangroves, and lagoons at Quick Point Nature Preserve, which is known for its healthy network of trails, boardwalks, and tidal pools to explore.
Play A Round Of Golf
Golfers have long flocked to Florida to take advantage of the state’s many scenic courses, and Longboat Key certainly carries that torch. Ranked among the country’s top golf courses by Golf Digest, the 45 holes offered at The Resort at Longboat Key Club’s Harbourside Golf Course and Links on Longboat Golf Course are a bucket list moment waiting to be enjoyed.
3000 Harbourside Dr, Longboat Key, FL 34228; 941-387-1631
Get An Under-The-Sea Experience
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
If you’re utterly enchanted by all things aquatic, the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort’s new Under the Sea Lagoon Experiences might be a worthy endeavor. Led by expert marine aquarists, participants have the chance to get up close and personal with tropical fish, sting rays, and colorful reefs, all while learning more about life underwater. The one-of-a-kind snorkeling experience is suitable for anyone over the age of 8. There’s also a special on-land program where folks can meet the resort’s resident tortoises Jack and Rose.
1601 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key, FL 34228; 941-231-1000
Where To Eat In Longboat Key, Florida
Have A Meal At Whitney’s
This California cool all-day café is the ultimate place to get a beach bite. Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and starting at 9 a.m. on weekends, this is the kind of place where you can drop in at any time and get exactly what you’re seeking—whether that’s a fresh Florida Citrus Salad at lunch, Red Curry Snapper for dinner, or Brioche French Toast with bruleed bananas and miso butter for breakfast. The restaurant’s bar program is also quite accomplished, with beers on tap, frose served all day, and a healthy selection of classic tiki and beach-inspired cocktails like the Hello Goodbye with white rum, rosata, watermelon, lime juice, and cucumber.
whitneylbk.com; 6990 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228; 941-383-4606
Enjoy Dockside Dining
Courtesy of Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
Any good beach vacation includes at least one sunset meal with a view of the water, and there are plenty of places to have that iconic experience on Longboat Key. Offering unparalleled views from its first-floor outdoor patio and second-floor indoor dining room, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill is your spot for a nice dinner out. Choose from a large menu of locally caught fish and seafood specials. The vibe is decidedly cool at Shore, a mid-century-themed al fresco eatery perched on the bay. The lunch and dinner menus offer bright takes on classic beach grub with small plates like shrimp ceviche and guacamole with toasted cumin corn tortillas and ale-battered oyster po’boy sliders that are perfect for sharing with friends alongside a cocktail or cold beer.
drydockwaterfrontgrill.com; 412 Gulf Of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228; 941-383-0102
dineshore.com; 800 Broadway St., Longboat Key, FL 34228; 941- 259-4600
Enjoy An Intimate Dinner At Euphemia Haye
Courtesy of Euphemia Haye
For a truly irreplicable experience, you must reserve a table at Euphemia Haye. The legendary restaurant has been a part of the Longboat Key community since 1980, when Raymond and D’Arcy Arpke opened a tiny 28-seat restaurant surrounded by a quaint garden. The fine dining spot draws influence from global cuisines for everything from fried green tomatoes served with roasted red pepper sweet chili sauce and pecan pesto to crispy duck filled with bread stuffing to Grecian-style lamb shank. If you’re looking for a more casual evening out, head upstairs to the Haye Loft, a dessert room that serves a limited menu of pizzas and small bites in addition to a rotating selection of more than a dozen cakes, pies, and other desserts.
euphemiahaye.com; 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228; 941-383-3633
Get A Drink At The Monkey Bar
Nothing will put you on island time like a pina colada, and the place to get one on Longboat Key is The Monkey Bar at St. Regis Longboat Key. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., this is the place to go for a mid-day tiki drink with a view of the beach.
1601 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228
Where To Stay In Longboat Key, Florida
Unwind At A Luxury Resort
Courtesy of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
New kid on the block, The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort has only been open since fall 2024, but it’s already made a huge splash on the island and the surrounding area. And how could it not? The first major new resort development in Longboat Key over the past 50 years, the massive resort takes up prime real estate on the Gulf of Mexico and delivers on every level of luxury. Amenities include a lazy river, separate family and adult pools, multiple dining options, private cabanas, and a 500,000-gallon saltwater tank where you can snorkel with fish.
1601 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228; 941- 231-1000
Book An Oceanfront Room Or Suite
Courtesy of Visit Sarasota County
Best known for its twin oceanfront golf courses, there’s much more to love about the Opal Collection’s The Resort at Longboat Key Club. You’ll have gorgeous views of the water from your room, and when you’re ready to head out onto the sugar-white sand, there’s complimentary umbrella and chair service waiting for you. There are also plenty of tennis and pickleball courts for racquet sport enthusiasts, five dining options, multiple pools, a spa, and even a private marina.
220 Sands Point Rd, Longboat Key, FL 34228; 941-383-8821
Opt For A Modern Stay
Courtesy of Visit Sarastoa County
Another Opal Collection property, Zota Beach Resort appeals to those looking for an understated, modern stay. Smaller in scale than its counterpart, the resort’s 187 rooms front the Gulf and the zero-entry pool. There are also poolside bungalows to relax in, a private beach, and a 24-7 fitness center, and a restaurant showcasing the best of Floribbean cuisine. One more perk—the hotel is dog friendly!
Read the original article on Southern Living