Longboat Key

Longboat Key is where Florida's Gulf Coast reaches its most refined expression. This 10-mile barrier island stretches between the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, with some of the most stunning waterfront real estate on the west coast of Florida. The island has resisted the kind of overdevelopment that has transformed other Florida barrier islands — height restrictions keep buildings modest, setback requirements preserve beach access, and the community has fought hard to maintain its natural character. The south end is anchored by the Longboat Key Club, a full-service resort with 45 holes of golf, tennis courts, and waterfront dining. The middle stretches are a mix of luxury condominiums and single-family estates, many with Gulf-front positions and private beach access. The north end, near the bridge to Anna Maria Island, has a more eclectic character. Euphemia Haye — an island dining institution since 1980 — draws visitors from across the region. But the real attraction is the beach itself: miles of sugar-white sand, crystal-clear Gulf water, and remarkably few people compared to the famous beaches just minutes south.

Longboat Key in Sarasota, Florida, United States