By Linda Reynolds, Broker, Reynolds Realty Gulf Coast (License #BK3021695) · Updated November 2026
Quick answer: Longboat Key is a 10-mile barrier island town between Anna Maria Island and Lido Key, with the Gulf of Mexico on one side and Sarasota Bay on the other. The north end is in Manatee County and most of it is in Sarasota County. About 70 percent of homes are condos, and in 2026 the median sale price has been roughly $950,000 to $1.05 million.
Longboat Key is known for quiet beaches, golf, boating and a calm, residential feel. Watch the tour above, then read on for what you need to know. If you’re comparing island towns, see my guides to Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach.
Longboat Key at a glance
- Location: barrier island between Longboat Pass (north) and New Pass (south); ZIP 34228
- Counties: north end in Manatee County, most of the island in Sarasota County
- Incorporated: 1955
- Homes: about 70% condos, plus single-family homes and townhomes on canals, the bay and the Gulf
- 2026 prices: median sale about $950,000 to $1.05 million; condos median list about $950,000; houses about $2.5 million
- Highlights: beaches, Longboat Key Club golf, the St. Regis resort, Bayfront Park, Joan M. Durante Community Park
Living on Longboat Key
Longboat Key runs about 10 miles from Longboat Pass, across from Anna Maria Island, to New Pass, just north of Lido Key and St. Armands Circle. Gulf of Mexico Drive is the one main road, with the Gulf on one side and Sarasota Bay on the other. The north end, near Longbeach Village, is in Manatee County, and the rest of the island is in Sarasota County, so check which county a home is in before you compare taxes. The town was incorporated in 1955 and has a quiet, mostly residential feel, with many seasonal residents.
Beaches, golf and things to do
White sand beaches run almost the full length of the island, with public beach access points along Gulf of Mexico Drive. The Longboat Key Club offers golf, tennis and a marina, and the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort opened in 2024 on the site of the former Colony Beach & Tennis Resort. On the bay side, Bayfront Park has pickleball and basketball courts, a dog park and a recreation center, and Joan M. Durante Community Park has walking paths, boardwalks through the mangroves, a playground and views of Sarasota Bay. The Town Center Green hosts events like the Longboat Key Festival of the Arts.
Homes and prices on Longboat Key
About 70 percent of the homes on Longboat Key are condos. You’ll find older two-bedroom units from the 1970s and 1980s, mid-size beachfront buildings and new luxury towers, plus single-family homes and townhomes on canals, the bay and the Gulf. In 2026, the median sale price has been roughly $950,000 to $1.05 million. Condos have had a median list price of about $950,000 and single-family homes about $2.5 million, with Gulf-front estates and new luxury condos far higher.
Inventory has grown, with roughly 10 to 12 months of supply in 2026, so it has been a buyer’s market and most homes have sold below the asking price. Sellers do best when they price against recent sales in the same building or street.
What to know before you buy
- Condo building health. Ask for the budget, reserves, any special assessments, and the milestone inspection and structural reserve study required under Florida’s condo safety laws.
- Insurance. Get flood and wind quotes early, especially for ground-floor units and older homes.
- 2024 storms. Hurricanes Helene and Milton damaged parts of the island, so ask what was repaired and whether it was permitted.
- County and rental rules. Confirm the county for taxes, and check the building’s rules on rentals, pets and approvals.
I’ll help you compare buildings and costs so you can buy or sell with confidence. To understand coastal costs better, read my Manatee County Homeowner Handbook.
Thinking about selling on Longboat Key?
Find out what your home is worth in today’s market with a free, no-obligation estimate, or call or text me at 941-737-6562. I’d love to help.
Longboat Key questions people ask
Where is Longboat Key, Florida?
Longboat Key is a barrier island about 10 miles long between Anna Maria Island to the north and Lido Key and St. Armands Circle to the south. The north end is in Manatee County and most of the island is in Sarasota County. The main road is Gulf of Mexico Drive.
How much do homes cost on Longboat Key?
In 2026, the median sale price has been roughly $950,000 to $1.05 million. Condos have had a median list price of about $950,000, and single-family homes about $2.5 million, with Gulf-front homes and new luxury condos much higher.
Is Longboat Key mostly condos?
Yes. About 70 percent of the homes on Longboat Key are condos, from older two-bedroom units to luxury beachfront towers. The rest are single-family homes and townhomes, many on canals, the bay or the Gulf.
Is Longboat Key a buyer’s or seller’s market?
In 2026 it has been a buyer’s market, with roughly 10 to 12 months of supply and homes taking about two to three months to sell, so buyers often have room to negotiate.
What should I check before buying a condo on Longboat Key?
Ask for the association budget, reserves, any special assessments, and the building’s milestone inspection and structural reserve study required under Florida’s condo safety laws. Also get flood and wind insurance quotes early.
What is there to do on Longboat Key?
Beaches, golf at the Longboat Key Club, the St. Regis resort, Bayfront Park with pickleball, a dog park and a recreation center, Joan M. Durante Community Park, and events on the Town Center Green. St. Armands Circle and Anna Maria Island are a short drive away.
Looking for a home on Longboat Key?
Online searches show you what’s listed. A free consultation with our buyer specialist, Celeste Schott, helps you find what’s right: the true costs, the neighborhoods that fit, and the homes worth seeing first.