Although Siesta Key Beach is famous, let’s not forget about beautiful Longboat Key Beach just a drive from mainland Sarasota and the “hot” shopping destination of St. Armands Circle.

Longboat Key is a very private beach with little public access. Visitors and vacationers usually rent a private home, condo or stay in one of Longboat Key’s many resort facilities on the Key. Check Longboat Drive, Westfield Street, Mayfield Street and Neptune Avenue for public access to Longboat Key beach. Parking at the beach is limited so get to a spot as early as possible.

Longboat Key Beach isn’t very crowded. You’ll enjoy hunting for sand dollars in this area as they are plentiful most times of the year just off the sand bars of Longboat Key.

The exclusive Longboat Key Beaches are home to some of Florida most luxurious real estate. Longboat Key real estate for sale has been popular with golf and tennis enthuses for years seeking a haven for their sport at the island’s many resorts. Many vacationers become full-time residents once they experience the Longboat Key beach lifestyle.

Longboat Key beach’s beach properties range from tiny small condominiums, duplexes to luxurious newer high-rise condos that have emerged within the condos dotting the shoreline of this beautiful tropical key. Lobbies and amenities of some of the older Longboat Key condos have been refurbished to provide the activities and surroundings sought by today’s luxury buyers. Gulf front condos are the most popular and command a higher price if the view is extraordinary just as on Siesta Key. Bayside condos are in demand as well since boaters seek condominiums that boat dockage and easy access to the Gulf of Mexico. Longboat Key’s condo selection is excellent and prices have adjusted considerably in the last few years. Prices currently range from $155,000 to $5,000,000 for a condo, townhouse or villa. Prices do not include boat docks, time share or fractional ownership buildings which start as low as $50,000 for a few weeks use.

Residents of Longboat Key enjoy golf, tennis, shuffleboard, beachcombing, fishing, boating and shell collecting which are among the many activities available on this Key. Swaying palm trees and rolling waves greet visitors and residents each morning and spectacular sunsets set the scene for the end of each perfect day in Paradise.

The Sarasota MLS reports 418 condos, townhouses and villas for sale currently and less than 200 single family homes. Many single family homes are found on canals with no bridges to the open waters of Sarasota Bay. Easy access to the Gulf of Mexico is a bonus for sailboat owners and owners of larger yachts.

If you are searching for a beach condo on Longboat Key, Siesta Key or Lido Key, contact John Allen at 941-544-6467. For more info on the condo market, visit our August 2009 Longboat Key condo market update. John shows condominiums on the barrier islands as well as mainland Sarasota condos. Contact a professional with experience in luxury properties necessary to guide you to a successful purchase of Sarasota real estate.