Longboat Key, Florida: neighborhood guide
Gulf-to-bay estates, condos and quiet island luxury.
Living in Longboat Key
Gulf of Mexico Drive runs the length of the island, connecting resort and residential communities, golf and tennis clubs, and pockets of gulf-to-bay estates. Access is by the New Pass Bridge from the Sarasota and Lido Key side and the Longboat Pass Bridge from the Anna Maria Island side.
Longboat Key has a strong seasonal rhythm, with a full winter population and a quiet summer, and our blog covers what that slow season really looks like. Condo buyers should pay close attention to inspections, reserves and assessments, and waterfront sellers benefit from pricing strategies that reflect frontage, dock, elevation and view.
Best for
- Buyers who want a quieter luxury island setting
- Waterfront and boating buyers
- Golf and club-lifestyle buyers
Things to weigh
- Condo assessments and structural-reserve requirements can be significant
- Flood, wind and hurricane insurance costs
- Limited on-island retail means some errands are off-island
Guidance is general and based on our local experience. Rules, fees, flood zones and insurance costs vary by property and change over time, so confirm details for any specific address.
Longboat Key real estate FAQs
What is Longboat Key known for?
Longboat Key is known for its quiet Gulf beaches, waterfront homes, condominium communities and private golf and tennis clubs.
Is Longboat Key in Sarasota or Manatee County?
Both. The town spans the county line between Manatee County to the north and Sarasota County to the south.
How should I price a Longboat Key waterfront home?
Waterfront pricing depends on frontage, water depth and dock, elevation and flood zone, view and condition. A comparative market analysis that adjusts for those features is more reliable than a simple price per square foot.
Latest on Longboat Key.
Longboat Key's Condo Buildings All Passed Inspection. Here's Why Some Owners Are Still Getting Six-Figure Bills.
If a Longboat Key condo building just passed its state-mandated safety inspection, does that mean it's a safe financial bet too? Buyers touring the…
Longboat Key's Slow Season Is Busier Than It Looks
Pull into the marina lot at the Longboat Key Club in August looking for a plate of osso buco at Portofino and you'll find the lights off and a sign…
Smart Ways to Price Your Longboat Key Waterfront Home
Pricing a waterfront home on Longboat Key is different from pricing an inland property. You are not just selling square footage. You are selling a…
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Thinking about Longboat Key?
Talk with a local advisor who can compare it with the alternatives, run the real costs and tour homes with you.