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Major city · United States

Longboat Key

Go for 2–3 nights if you want a quiet Gulf beach base with a car; skip it if you want boardwalks, bars or walkable town streets.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Longboat Key is a 17 km barrier island between Anna Maria Island and Sarasota, split between Manatee County in the north and Sarasota County in the south. There is no town centre to stroll: it is one long road, Gulf of Mexico Drive, with beaches on one side, a lagoon on the other, and resorts, condos and a handful of restaurants along it. You come here to sleep, swim and eat, not to sightsee. A car is close to essential, and two or three nights is enough unless you are renting a condo for a week.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
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More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Nov–Apr (dry, mild, 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) days)
avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, afternoon storms, hurricane season); peak spring-break weeks in Mar
Airports
SRQ · TPA · MCO
Nights
2–3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Longboat Key911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Longboat Key, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$4–7
  • Sit-down mealSit-down dinner mainAdd 18–22% tip and Florida sales tax.$22–40
  • Street or quick mealBeach-bar sandwich or burger$14–22
  • BeerDraft beer$6–9
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30
  • Budget bedBudget motel or inn room (off-island or north end), a night, per roomUS$110
  • Mid-range bedBudget motel or inn room (off-island or north end), a night, per roomUS$160
  • High-end bedBudget motel or inn room (off-island or north end), a night, per roomUS$240

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$110 · Mid US$200 · High US$380

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Gulf beaches and shellingQuiet condo and resort staysMar Vista and the historic Rufus P Jordan HouseBayfront Park kayak launch
Airports
SRQ Sarasota Bradenton International (Closest airport, about 15–25 min by car to the south end of the island) · TPA Tampa International (About 1 h 15 min–1 h 45 min by car, depending on traffic) · MCO Orlando International (About 2 h 30 min by car; use only if the fare gap is large)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  3. Mar

    Care

    25°C (77°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    30°C (86°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    29°C (84°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

Best: Apr, Nov–Feb. Mixed: Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →

Warmest Jun (32°C (90°F)), coolest Jan (11°C (52°F) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Apr (5). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Longboat Key: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

22°C (72°F)

11°C (52°F)

6 rd

Feb

23°C (73°F)

12°C (54°F)

6 rd

Mar

25°C (77°F)

14°C (57°F)

6 rd

Apr

27°C (81°F)

17°C (63°F)

5 rd

May

30°C (86°F)

20°C (68°F)

7 rd

Jun

32°C (90°F)

23°C (73°F)

12 rd

Jul

32°C (90°F)

24°C (75°F)

15 rd

Aug

32°C (90°F)

24°C (75°F)

15 rd

Sep

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

13 rd

Oct

29°C (84°F)

20°C (68°F)

7 rd

Nov

26°C (79°F)

16°C (61°F)

5 rd

Dec

23°C (73°F)

12°C (54°F)

6 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Drive. Gulf of Mexico Drive runs the length of the island, roughly 20–25 min end to end outside rush hour. A local bus runs along the island (check the current route and timetable with the county transit agency), but service is infrequent and stops are sparse. Bikes work well on the island's shared-use path if you are not carrying much; taxis and rideshare are available but can be slow to arrive at the north end.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Anna Maria Island

go

Door to door: 10–25 min

Drive north over the bridge at the island's north end

Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach for a busier beach day and more casual food.

Bradenton

go

Door to door: 30–45 min

Drive south then east via Cortez Rd or Manatee Ave

Village of the Arts, Riverwalk and a wider choice of restaurants and shops.

Palmetto

caution

Door to door: 45–60 min

Drive via US-41 north over the Manatee River

Mostly a residential base; go only for a specific stop.

Sarasota

go

Door to door: 20–35 min

Drive south via John Ringling Blvd and the Ringling Causeway

Museums, St Armands Circle shopping and the main dining scene off-island.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

South end (Sarasota County side)

Closest to St Armands and Sarasota via John Ringling Blvd; resort and condo clusters, easiest access to dining off-island.

Mid-island (Gulf of Mexico Dr around 4600–4800)

Beach resorts and condo rentals with direct Gulf access; walkable to a few restaurants.

North end (near Broadway St and the Anna Maria bridge)

Quietest stretch, closest to Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach; few services, so plan meals.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$110–170 excl. bed
Mid
$170–300 excl. bed
High
$300+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Beachfront condo or resort room1 × 3 nights × US$300US$900
Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$200US$1,200
Rental car, one day1 × US$70US$70
Groceries for breakfast and lunch, per person per day6 × US$25US$150
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20US$40
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$236
Trip total≈ US$433 per person per day, bed includedUS$2,596

2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Prices are shown before Florida sales tax. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$4–7
Beach-bar sandwich or burger$14–22
Sit-down dinner mainAdd 18–22% tip and Florida sales tax.$22–40
Draft beer$6–9
Rideshare, south end to mid-island$12–20
Kayak rental, per hour$25–45
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Longboat Key is a low-crime, quiet island and feels safe day and night. The real risks are water and weather: rip currents, red tide, summer heat and hurricanes. Swim near lifeguarded access points where posted, and check beach conditions before you go in.
  • A car is effectively required: the island is one long road with limited transit and few pavements.
  • Hurricane season runs Jun–Nov; check evacuation zones and storm forecasts before booking a summer stay.
  • Red tide and rip currents can close beaches or make swimming unsafe: check local beach conditions daily.
  • Many restaurants close early and some shut for a stretch in late summer: check hours before you drive.
  • Parking at public beach access points is limited and fills on weekends and holidays.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Longboat Key Police non-emergency
941-316-1977
Manatee County Sheriff non-emergency
941-747-3011

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Longboat KeyLongboat Key

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Longboat Key Police non-emergency941-316-1977
  • Manatee County Sheriff non-emergency941-747-3011

Embassy

No embassies on the island. Consulates are in Miami; most countries' nearest consular offices for the Gulf Coast are in Tampa or Miami (check).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • SRQ airport → island, rideshare: $30–55, about 20–30 min
  • TPA airport → island, rideshare: $90–140, about 1 h 15 min–1 h 45 min
  • Rental car, one day: $45–120 plus fuel and tolls

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the beach access? — Where is the beach access?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Is the water safe to swim today? — Is the water safe to swim today?
  • The check, please — The check, please

Tipping is expected in the US: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshare.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Longboat Key. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Nov–Apr (dry, mild, 20–25 °C days) · avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, afternoon storms, hurricane season); peak spring-break weeks in Mar · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for SRQ and TPA: last-mile drive times field-checked, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Three sleep clusters with rescue anchors: south end, mid-island resorts, north end near Broadway St.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Bayfront Park, Mar Vista, beach access points) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Storm and red-tide fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources