People come to Longboat Key Florida beaches to escape from their busy lives. It’s a breath of fresh air from the often hectic scene on the east coast.
The sand is powdery soft, perfect for long walks and outdoor activities. The waters are the calmest blue, warm, and refreshingly clean. It’s one of the best places to witness magnificent sunsets.
Rich and diverse marine life call Longboat Key Florida beaches their home. There are frequent sightings of stingrays, dolphins, manatees, and varieties of fishes.
You can also plan your culinary adventure with Longboat Key Florida restaurants. They serve food to suit every taste and pocket. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, try their lobster tacos, bacon-wrapped scallops, and shrimp provencal. If you want something low-key, try their fish and chips, BLTs, and pancakes! And a key lime pie to satisfy your sweet tooth!
The Best Time to Visit Longboat Key Florida Beaches
The Longboat Key Florida weather is long and hot in the summers and cool and windy in the winter. For warm-weather activities, the best times of the year to visit are from late February to mid-May and from late October to early December.
Getting here is a breeze. Longboat Key Florida beaches have several access points, clearly marked and easily visible. It has decent parking but doesn’t draw that many crowds compared to Siesta Key.
So when people asked which is better: Siesta Key or Longboat Key?, the answer is if you don’t mind the crowd, then Siesta Key is for you. It was once hailed as the number one beach in the US. It’s still as beautiful as it was before the entire continent discovered it, but it just gets crowded.
Is Longboat Key Florida Safe?
According to this report, “Longboat Key is safer than 89% of the cities in the United States”. Furthermore, it says, “Longboat Key crime rates are 68% lower than the national average“.
That’s great news, but how about your safety from one of the most dangerous species in the sea? So, are there sharks in Longboat Key? Yes, there are! In fact, as recently as late last year, a fisherman caught a hammerhead on Longboat’s shores. One thing to remember is sharks don’t hunt humans. The next time you plan your Longtime Key visit, watch out for shark safety tips.
Here are the 12 best beaches in and around Longboat Key Florida, for you to discover and enjoy:
- Longboat Key Beaches
- Coquina Beach
- Whitney Beach
- Beer Can Island
- Lido Beach
- Anna Maria Public Beach
- Manatee Public Beach
- Holmes Beach
- Bean Point Beach
- Turtle Beach
- Bradenton Beach
- Anna Maria Island Beach
12 Best Longboat Key Florida Beaches
1. Longboat Key Beaches
Spend your next siesta at the Longboat Key Florida Beach. It doesn’t draw a lot of crowds, and that’s part of its charm. It’s the perfect place to relax and get serenaded by the soothing sound of the crashing waves.
With sand as fine as confectioner’s sugar, every step feels satisfyingly therapeutic under your feet. From sunrise to sundown, you are in the front row seat of a beautiful panoramic view. Watch the sunlight sparkle when it hits the clear water. And if you stay a bit longer, you get treated to a breathtakingly glorious sunset. It never disappoints.
It’s located slightly more remote than the other beaches, but it’s worth the trip. If it’s your first time visiting, public beach access may be difficult to find at first. But you’ll find it. The parking is limited, and that’s just perfect because it keeps the beach less crowded.
2. Coquina Beach
If you’re looking for a quick getaway, go no further than Coquina Beach. It’s right down the street from Anna Maria Beach, but it’s less crowded, offering a much quieter and more relaxed setting.
It has free parking, concessions, picnic tables, restrooms, and shower rooms. There are also bike rentals to go around the beach much quicker using its multi-purpose paved trail.
Australian pine trees loom over the beach, providing shade for those who want to escape the sun’s heat. It’s adorned by sea oats, sand dunes, and grass to make a beautiful shoreline.
Whether you want to go swimming, explore the shore for seashells and other treasures, play volleyball, or just spend a quiet time alone with your book, this is your piece of paradise.
3. Whitney Beach
Whitney Beach is a hidden gem that not many people know about. If you happen to be at Coquina Beach, cross the bridge located across it. Turn at the second right and cross another bridge, and there you’ll find Longboat key’s best-kept secret.
Those who were lucky to have spent their vacation there described it as simply beautiful with gorgeous views of the Gulf of Mexico.
4. Greer Island, aka “Beer Can Island”
Located at Longboat Key’s northern tip sits an island where people go to drink beer – Beer Can Island.
Most go there by boat. It doesn’t have a docking station, so be prepared to beach your boat or drop anchor offshore. If you want to get there by land, you can take Broadway Street or North Shore road until you see signs of the beach.
The beach is secluded with no amenities other than what Mother Nature has provided, but it doesn’t stop beachgoers from seeking solace in it. People go there not only to drink beer but also to lounge out in their hammocks.
5. Lido Beach
If you love chasing sunsets, Lido is your go-to beach. It can get fairly busy, but if you come in the afternoon, you’ll find a spot that’s a little bit isolated from the rest.
They have good, free parking, and it’s located just a few steps away from the beach entrance. Their bathrooms are located on the south end of the beach. Something to keep in mind if you have kids, or else it’s going to be a long walk every time. They have lifeguards along the beach for your safety.
The sand is white and soft like flour, and the water has a gorgeous shade of turquoise. The beach slope is gradual and doesn’t go deep until a long distance from the shore.
If you’re visiting with kids, don’t forget to bring shovels and buckets to collect seashells.
6. Anna Maria Public Beach
One word to describe it: tranquility. Anna Maria Public Beach is perfect for families and kids. It’s clean, with beautiful white sand that doesn’t burn your feet. The water is warm and crystal clear.
There’s good parking, but it can sometimes take you a while to find it. There are picnic tables, bbq grills, bathrooms, and shower rooms. It’s only a walking distance from the beach to some nice restaurants, ice cream shops, boutiques, and craft stores.
7. Manatee Public Beach
The Manatee Public Beach is considered one of the top beaches in Florida! It’s a family-oriented beach that provides access to the following:
- Benches
- Bike racks
- Changing cabanas
- Concessions
- Gift shops
- Grills
- Picnic tables
- Recycle containers
- Restrooms
- Showers with foot wash
- Trash receptacles
- Trolley stop
- Volleyball
- Water fountains
- Wheelchair
The gulf water is calm, warm, and shallow, and there are lifeguards if you’d like to go swimming. The sunset is also a must-see.
But if you’re looking for quiet and peace, you won’t find it here. It’s a favorite local hangout so expect the place to fill up pretty quickly.
8. Holmes Beach
If you love pancakes, you’re in for a treat! Holmes Beach is famous for its unlimited pancakes. It’s also known for its soothing ambiance, clean beach, very fine sand, and warm water.
It stretches for miles, perfect for taking long walks in the early morning or around sunset. You have plenty of space for yourself because there aren’t that many tourists around. The access points are clearly marked, so finding this beautiful, and relaxing beach won’t be a problem.
9. Bean Point Beach
Located on Anna Maria Island’s north end, Bean Point Beach is the perfect place to do nothing but rest. To get here, take your bicycle for a spin or just walk if you live nearby. All beach access points are clearly marked so that you won’t miss them.
Swimming and snorkeling are excellent here if you want to explore the abundant marine life under the sea. Or you could just laze out in your hammock and chill all day. But I doubt that you will. With its lovely view of the Gulf of Mexico, breathtaking sunsets, and the waves gently calling you to the shore, you’ll be out and exploring the beach in no time.
10. Turtle Beach
Turtle Beach is where the locals love to hang out. The sand is darker and much coarser than the other surrounding beaches, but it’s a playground for kids who love to collect shells.
The water is clean, can be warm or cool depending on the time of the year. The water near the shoreline is shallow, but you need to watch out for the steep drop-off. No lifeguards patrol the beach, so it’s best to be safe.
You need to bring your own food and drinks, which is not a big ask. They have nice public bathrooms, a good parking area, and the warmth of the Florida sun.
11. Bradenton Beach
Tourists can’t get enough of how beautiful Bradenton Beach is! For a public beach, it’s well-maintained, clean, and wide giving beach lovers plenty of room to pitch their umbrellas and settle in.
The parking area is a short walk to the beach. With soft sand, warm blue water, and sightings of manatees and dolphins, a short stay just wouldn’t do.
When venturing out of the beach, you’ll be greeted by the friendly smiles of the locals. Then grab a quick bite at the nearby bars and restaurants.
12. Anna Maria Island Beach
Anna Maria Island Beach is the beach for people from all walks of life.
It’s a romantic setting for a perfect date and an excellent place to spend quality time with your family. Let your kids frolic on its soft, cool sand and swim in its blue and refreshing seawater without the presence of seaweeds and jellyfish.
If you want to be alone, you’ll find a perfect spot just to chill out and enjoy the view.
Public parking space is available, as well as bathrooms, shower, and changing rooms. And don’t forget to bring your own food!
12 Best Longboat Key Florida Beaches
The next time you visit Florida, consider adding these Longboat Key Florida beaches to your itinerary:
- Longboat Key Beaches
- Coquina Beach
- Whitney Beach
- Beer Can Island
- Lido Beach
- Anna Maria Public Beach
- Manatee Public Beach
- Holmes Beach
- Bean Point Beach
- Turtle Beach
- Bradenton Beach
- Anna Maria Island Beach