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Whitney BeachPure, natural beauty on the northwest tip of Longboat Key.Whitney Beach on Longboat Key is a hidden gem as far as beaches go. Longboat Key is known as the more “reclusive” of the Sarasota County barrier islands. Less than 11 miles long, there are only a handful of public access beaches, with limited parking; however, Whitney Beach is not one to pass up. This beach is located on the northwestern-most tip of Longboat Key.
Here, you can actually walk out along the shore to the northernmost tip of Longboat Key and watch the boats come through the channel and look across the trees to Anna Maria Island’s Coquina Beach or watch the drawbridge go up between Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island.
This is another of our beautiful white sand beaches with gorgeous views of the Gulf of Mexico and in some spots, private Longboat Key Condominiums in the background.
While parking is limited and there aren’t the amenities that can be found at other beaches, it’s worth visiting and planning some time to at least walk this beach and take in the water view, which is an indescribably beautiful blend of clear light blue and turquoise waters, which when the sun hits the water just right, the water seems to give off an incandescent glow!
Sarasota County in December 2006 purchased 3.9 acres of property at the north end of the Longboat Key to provide more in the way of public beach access and parking. The land purchased by the county will create a park that will span from the bay to the Gulf, greatly improving the area’s beach access. So they’re at least working on providing more beach access on Longboat Key. This is a good thing!
Longboat Key is mainly an area of private clubs and condos, however, there are a limited number of additional beach access points along Gulf of Mexico Drive and Whitney Beach is definitely worthy of your vacation time. Though one of the most beautiful and natural Gulf of Mexico Beaches, I would make sure to bring what you require to this beach, because there are no modern day conveniences at this beach. It’s almost like living like Robinson Crusoe!
Directions: Take Rt. 41 through downtown Sarasota, west over the Ringling Causeway Bridge, around St. Armand’s Circle to the north (following Rt. 789) across the bridge from St. Armand’s Key to Longboat Key. Once you’re on Longboat Key, simply follow Gulf of Mexico Drive almost to the end of Longboat Key. You’ll find a road off to the left, near North Shore Rd. This is the area in which you want to be that leads out to Whitney Beach. There are a couple of small parking areas. Tip: If you go over the bridge to Anna Maria Island, you’ve gone too far and need to back track. There's no address on this beach and you will have to look for it on the northwest end of Longboat Key. It's fairly easy to find. Return from Whitney Beach to Sarasota Beaches.
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