Siesta Key, Longboat Key, and Lido Key are three neighboring barrier islands that separate Sarasota Bay from the Gulf of Mexico. They are known for their soft white sand beaches and shallow Gulf waters, but there are plenty more fun facts to discover about these popular Sarasota, Florida vacation destinations.
Photo credit Nita Ettinger
- The word “key” comes from the Spanish word cayo which means “shoal” or “reef”.
- Longboat Key is Sarasota’s longest and most northerly barrier island with 12 miles of sandy coastline. It is a popular island for nesting turtles to come ashore and lay their eggs.
Longboat Key ~ Photo credit Nita Ettinger
- Lido Key was indirectly named by Sarasota resident John Ringling. A fan of Italian culture, he referred to the key’s beach as a lido which means “shore” in Italian. The name Lido Key stuck.
Lido Key ~ Photo credit Nita Ettinger
- Siesta Key stretches for eight miles along the coast of Sarasota County but it covers just 2.4 square miles of land! Siesta Beach is regarded as one of the best beaches in the world.
Siesta Beach ~ Photo credit Nita Ettinger
Photo credit Nita Ettinger
- Lido Key is connected to the mainland via a causeway that includes the upscale shopping and dining area known as Armands Circle.
Photo credit Chris L. Smith
Ski-a-Rees have been performing free water-ski shows since 1957. See these world-class champions rehearse at their base on Lido Key. They currently hold the world record for their 10-man Around-the-Boat Boat O.
Photo courtesy Ski-A-Rees
So, three barrier islands and three neighboring communities. As you can see they all have something different to offer. Which one will you visit next?
Written by:
Nita Ettinger
Nita Ettinger is Co-publisher for Siesta Publications Inc. and the Editor in Chief for Must Do Visitor Guides. Must Do Visitor Guides provides Southwest Florida visitor information through printed magazines and the website MustDo.com. Must Do magazines are published bi-annually and are available at no cost in Sarasota, Lee, and Collier County Chamber of Commerce, visitor information centers, select Southwest Florida hotels, and wherever free publications can be found.