Nature's Wellness Glow-Up: A Week on Longboat Key, Florida

Quiet morning walks with lots of pretty shells along the way.

Longboat Key (LBK) is a quiet barrier island between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf Coast. It features long, sandy beaches, turquoise water, and incredible sunrises and sunsets from the ocean and the bay. Colorful flora and fauna are abundant. Dining options range from casual, including DIY grilling at many resorts, to fine dining. If shopping is of interest, again, there is a great range. Thrifting at “Lord’s Warehouse” always provides an unexpected treasure and St. Armand’s Circle provides upscale shopping with stops for ice cream and treats. Kilwin’s is a favorite with families who peek in to watch fudge being made.

The best part of LBK, however, is the opportunity to relax surrounded by nature and plentiful wildlife. Even the drive into LBK along the road lined with bougainvillea and bay cedar, with glimpses of the ocean, begins to ease one’s tension. When my family enters our spacious Bay-facing unit at Little Gull Cottages, someone will exclaim, “we’re home!” Once on the beach, we and other vacationers find ourselves breathing deeply as we admire the light colored sand that stretches for miles along turquoise waters. Blue skies are often filled with slow-moving puffy clouds and a few seabirds flying by. A walk along a quiet stretch of sand will provide the opportunity to see groups of sanderlings, small gulls, plovers and the occasional heron or egret just hanging out. Prehistoric-looking brown pelicans will alert you to fish gatherings as they dive bomb quietly into the waves. But the highlight of every beachgoer’s day is the dolphin spotting- and even the occasional manatee. Beach-goers will alert one another as all eyes search for the playful creatures jumping in and out of the waves.

Even the golfers who stay at the Longboat Key Club — which includes access to 45 private holes of golf — are able to watch herons, egrets, and roseate spoonbills that wade along the water hazards. More serious birders head over to Joan Durante Park, a 32 acre nature preserve by Sarasota Bay. The park is fun for all ages with boardwalk trails, playgrounds, and community yoga classes.

A long-held tradition for LBK vacationers is to head back to the beach after dinner to watch the sunset, sometimes with a refreshment in hand. Sunsets vary, but they are always beautiful. A favorite game among watchers is to try to spot the elusive green flash just as the sun hits the horizon. I have only seen it two times in my 25+ years of LBK vacations -it’s a challenge.

No matter the choice of activity during the day, the opportunity to be surrounded by such beautiful and varied nature provides visitors with a sense of well-being. As I depart, I find myself holding on to serene images and looking forward to my return the next year.

• There are many resort choices on Longboat Key, from very quiet to quite active.

• Some visitors choose to only walk or use bikes during their stay, but a car is helpful to pick up groceries or to explore fun destinations off Key.

• The closest airport is Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. Tampa International Airport has more flight options and is approximately an hour away.

For more travel inspiration and insider recommendations, check out our Florida page.