Get to Know Sarasota County's Barrier Islands
Posted by Tracy Jones on Friday, October 23rd, 2020 at 8:25am.
Florida's gulf coast is absolutely stunning - no question.
The year-round sunshine and vibrant communities have made this part of the state highly sought after and ripe for development. With so much going for it, it's hard to pick out the highlights, but the barrier islands just might take the cake.
Sarasota County's barrier islands are the collection of long skinny sand bars that sit just above sea level. Many had been created from the intracoastal waterway that runs up the gulf shoreline.
Join us as we explore Sarasota County's most popular barrier islands. You'll soon understand why these slices of paradise are so talked about and sought after.
Longboat Key
Longboat Key, along with the town that shares its name, is positioned between St Armands to the south and Anna Maria Island to the north. Gulf of Mexico Drive runs down the 10-mile-long spine of the island, with streets branching off in both directions, featuring both single-family residential properties and condominium developments.
The southern section of the island is primarily occupied by the Longboat Key Club that features Longboat Key Golf Club as a big draw. Like many of the barrier islands in this part of Florida, Longboat Key has an incredible white-sandy beach that runs the length of its gulf coast.
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St. Armands
St Armands Key is a beautiful island found in Sarasota Bay, just west of downtown Sarasota. The John Ringling Causeway provides quick and direct access to mainland Florida. The island is centered around “St Armand Circle” or just “The Circle, a commercial district that features more than 130 stores.
Understandably, the available St Armands real estate is very sought after, not to mention limited compared to the other larger barrier islands. Those stately homes that ring the outer edge of the island are naturally the most prized - both for their stunning views of the gulf and the direct water access they provide.
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Bird KEY
Bird Key is another small barrier island connected to the mainland and St Armands via the John RIngling Causeway. Created by dredging the harbor in the 1950s, the 250-acre island now holds some of the most prestigious and luxurious homes found anywhere in Florida.
Many of the top homes on the island enjoy beautiful oceanfront views, and the island’s small size guarantees that no matter where you are, you’ll be close to the water. In all, there are over 500 beautiful homes across the island, in the safe, gated community. The island itself is almost all residential, but St. Armands Cirlce and downtown Sarasota are just a short drive away.
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Siesta Key
Found just southwest of the city of Sarasota, the northern sections are actually considered part of the city, while the long, skinny southern sections extend toward Venice.
The island is perhaps best known for Siesta Key beach, which is consistently ranked among the top beaches of Florida, if not the world.
Highly attractive canal homes can be found in the northern sections, often featuring direct, deep-water access. Moving south, the middle sections are the areas that feature most of the resort-style condominium complexes and further south, the slimmest sections of island feature estate properties with sweeping views of the ocean.
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Casey Key
Positioned just off the coast of several Sarasota County communities, including Osprey and Nokomis, Casey Key is a narrow island with big-time reputation for luxurious and unique homes.
The homes on the island are predominantly single-family estate properties, although there are a number of condo developments as well. Some of the estates located on the narrowest sections of the island boast properties that extend from the gulf side to the side facing Blackburn Bay. This is where the private docks are located.
Casey Key is 7 miles long and connected by a narrow strip of land to Siesta Key to the north. As with many barrier island, a key highlight of Casey Key is the absolutely pristine, white-sand beach that runs the length of its gulf shore.
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Manasota Key
The name Manasota is combination of Manatee and Sarasota, the two Florida counties that share this barrier island. The long barrier island extends all the way from Englewood to South Venice.
Perhaps due to its size, the homes found across Manasota Key are bit more diverse than some of its barrier island cousins. Throughout the island, home buyers can find a pleasing array of beach bungalows and cottages, condos, all the way up to larger, luxury estates.
Manasota Key is also further away from larger cities, which lends it a welcome bit of isolation and a quiet atmosphere. Manasota Key features 4 main beaches just waiting to be explored:
- Manasota Beach
- Blind Pass Beach State Park
- Englewood Beach
- Stump Pass Beach State Park
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If you'd like to learn more about Sarasota County's Barrier Island, please don't hesitate to contact Gulf Shores Realty online or call 941.488.6644 today!