longboat key fl is in fact a barrier island that straddles both Sarasota and Manatee County. The island is 12 miles long and framed on the gulf of mexico side by powder soft pure white sand and the glistening turquoise ocean. A longboat key vacation has long been a byword for a luxurious trip. The island is world-renowned as an elegant and scenic setting offering a blend of spectacular beaches and culture with a chic and relaxed lifestyle. Guests enjoying their longboat key vacation rental home should check out nearby St Armand's Circle, a stylish destination offering the very best in upscale shopping and dining. With plenty of pretty little street side cafes to while away the hours whilst people watching, a visit to longboat key is the preferred choice of vacationers looking for an upscale resort with facilities to match.