Area Guide
Living on Longboat Key
Longboat Key is where the Gulf Coast does quiet luxury. It's a ten-mile barrier island straddling Sarasota and Manatee counties, just north of St. Armands Circle — calmer, more polished, and more private than the islands around it. Think Gulf-front condos, gated golf-and-beach communities, and tucked-away estates. If privacy and an unhurried, high-end pace are what you're after, not much compares.
The island is largely residential and intentionally serene — no neon, no high-rise sprawl, just manicured communities, the Longboat Key Club, tennis and golf, and miles of beach. It’s a haven for affluent retirees and second-home owners, and it offers an incredible variety of condo communities and neighborhoods. (There are *many* distinct communities and condos here — exactly the kind of detail I can break down for you community by community.)
Counties
Sarasota & Manatee
Setting
Exclusive barrier island
Beaches
Quiet, low-key Gulf-front
Known For
Luxury, golf & privacy
Market
Gulf-front condos & estates
St. Armands
Minutes to the south
The exclusive island lifestyle
Longboat Key is a 10.8-mile barrier island with a year-round population of about 7,500 — refined and quiet by design. The Longboat Key Club, a 410-acre resort, anchors the island with 45 holes of golf: the Links on Longboat (opened 1960, designed by Bill Mitchell) and the 27-hole Harbourside course (opened 1982, designed by Willard Byrd). The beaches are calm and uncrowded, and St. Armands Circle’s 130-plus shops, restaurants, and galleries sits just minutes south on the way to downtown Sarasota.
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort opened in August 2024 on the former Colony Beach site — a $376 million, 18-acre development with 168 guest rooms and 69 private condominiums. Travel + Leisure named Longboat Key the South’s top island in 2025. After Hurricanes Helene and Milton in late 2024, the town’s beach renourishment and infrastructure resilience projects are advancing through 2026.
The real estate — condos, communities & estates
The island offers an exceptional range of luxury living: Gulf-front and bayfront condominiums, gated beach-and-golf communities, and private waterfront estates. Each community and condo has its own character, amenities, and rules — from full-service resort-style towers to intimate low-rise enclaves. Because the differences matter so much here, knowing the specific buildings and neighborhoods is everything (and exactly where I add value).
Getting around & the setting
Longboat Key connects south to St. Armands Circle and downtown Sarasota (roughly 15–20 minutes) and north toward Anna Maria Island and Bradenton. It’s a drive-everywhere island by nature, prized for its calm and seclusion. Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ) airport is a convenient distance for an island this private.
Who it’s for
Longboat Key is ideal for affluent retirees, second-home owners, and anyone seeking a serene, upscale, low-key island lifestyle. Condo living is especially popular here for its lock-and-leave ease and amenities, while estate buyers find privacy and Gulf or bay frontage. It’s premium — but for the right buyer, unmatched.
Who Longboat Key is right for
- Luxury and second-home buyers
- Affluent retirees wanting privacy & serenity
- Condo / lock-and-leave buyers wanting resort amenities
- Golf & beach-club lifestyles
- Waterfront (Gulf & bay) estate buyers
Longboat Key FAQ
Is Longboat Key a good place to live?+
For buyers who want an exclusive, serene, upscale island lifestyle, Longboat Key is one of the finest addresses on the Gulf Coast — quiet beaches, golf, privacy, and St. Armands and Sarasota minutes away. It’s a premium market, and (as with any coastal home) insurance and flood considerations matter, which I vet for you.
Should I buy a condo or a home on Longboat Key?+
Both are excellent, but they fit different lifestyles. Condos offer lock-and-leave ease, resort amenities, and often Gulf-front access; homes and estates offer privacy and space. The right call depends on how you’ll use it and your budget — I’ll walk you through the specific buildings and communities, because on Longboat the differences are significant.
How far is Longboat Key from Sarasota?+
Downtown Sarasota is roughly 15–20 minutes south via St. Armands Circle, which itself offers upscale shopping and dining. Anna Maria Island and Bradenton lie to the north.
Is Longboat Key only for seasonal residents?+
Not at all — while it’s popular with snowbirds and second-home owners, plenty of people live here year-round and love the quiet. The island’s calm, residential character is a feature, not a limitation.
What does it cost to live on Longboat Key?+
It’s a luxury market spanning condos to multimillion-dollar Gulf-front estates, and pricing varies widely by community, building, and water frontage. Tell me your budget and must-haves and I’ll pull current numbers for the specific communities that fit.
Thinking about Longboat Key?
Tell me what you’re after and I’ll send current homes, honest pricing, and a no-pressure plan — including the true monthly cost of any property.