Longboat Key is characterized by high-rise luxury beachfront condominiums, exclusive resorts, luxurious beachfront estates with jungle landscapes, and long, gleaming white sandy beaches. Longboat Key has an unmistakable air of exclusivity. The miles of white sandy beaches are all but inaccessible to non-residents. In other words, public beach access is limited. While this may be frustrating for some, it creates a very quiet beach for those wanting not to be bothered by crowds. Most of the beaches are enjoyed only by residents and visitors staying in the many upscale condominiums and resorts. There are plenty of rooms available in the many beachfront rental condos and beach resorts. A long quiet stroll on the beach is always waiting for anyone on the key. Longboat Key has a number of excellent restaurants and all the attractions of Sarasota are just 15 minutes away, as is St. Armand's Circle.

The northern tip of Longboat Key is known affectionately as Beer Can Island. It is actually not an island, but is a landform created by the water currents and is referred to as  a "hooked spit."  This means it is a curved sand bar and it creates a very sheltered place for recreational boaters to pull up on the sandy beach. 

Longboat Key is a large and quiet island, located immediately to the south of Anna Maria Island, and to the north of Lido Key. It's easy to find a quiet, relaxing place to stay, either right on the beach or on the east side of Gulf Drive. If easy beach access is important to you, make sure you inquire about it. Not all resorts have an easement to the beach, unless of course the resort is right on the beach. Comparing Longboat Key to Anna Maria Island, Longboat has more large resorts and condos. Anna Maria has smaller resorts and beach cottages.