Whitney Beach

Located on the town of Longboat Key, Whitney Beach is a quarter-mile-long and wide beach situated in front of Whitney Plaza.  Whitney Beach has beautiful white sand and is surrounded by many old fallen tree stumps where you will many families and couples. Whitney Beach is situated at the northern end of Longboat Key – and is a part of Beer Can Island which is also known as Hooked Spit and Greer Island Park. 

Whitney Beach offers a couple of amenities including lifeguards, restrooms, picnic tables, boat ramps, and a pier.

There are many fun activities at Whitney Beach including beachcombing, picnicking, photography, and sunbathing. Please note that swimming is not safe at the beach because of high waves and strong rip currents.  

Whitney Beach is easily accessible by boat, but you can also easily get here by car – the beach is situated on Gulf of Mexico Drive. There are a few free street parking spots nearby. After parking, you will need to walk a few minutes west to the beach. 

If you are looking for attractions near Whitney Beach, you can drive 16 minutes to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium that is home to sea creatures including jellyfish, great white sharks, captive killer whales, rockfishes, African penguins, and the Pacific Sea nettles. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are spread across 15 acres and feature preserved collections of more than 20,000 plants including orchids, bromeliads, banyans, bamboo, wildflowers, a butterfly garden, a koi pond, and an edible garden. The historical Sarasota Opera House has been the performance stage for many world-renowned artists including Elvis Presley, Will Rogers, Charlton Heston, and Dorothy Lamour. Another great attraction near Whitney Beach is St. Armands Circle which is well-regarded for its shopping centers, boutiques, ancient shops, and restaurants. 

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants within a 10-minute drive of Whitney Beach. Drift Kitchen and Bar is an Italian-American restaurant emphasizing seafood, craft cocktails, and has an extensive wine list. The upscale restaurant Lido Beach Grille is well-regarded for its pre-dinner drinks gathering in the Sunset Lounge and Champagne brunch held every Sunday. Another good restaurant near Whitney Beach is the vegetarian-friendly Cafe L'Europe which boasts its award-winning American-European cuisines and wines. 

If you are looking for a hotel near Whitney Beach, there are many hotels within a 15-minute drive. Spread across 440 acres, The Resort at Longboat Key Club is a 4-Star beachfront hotel featuring a golf course, spa, gym, an oceanside pool, six restaurants, 20 tennis courts, and bike and water sports equipment rentals. The 3-Star pet-friendly hotel Lido Beach Resort has a pool, bar, gym, convenience store, and two restaurants with one on the roof. If you are looking for affordable hotels near Whitney Beach, the 3-Star Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach offers a lounge, pool, gift shop, and restaurant – and Holiday Inn Sarasota - Lido Beach welcomes pets and has a poolside bar, restaurant, and fitness center.