The large and luxurious Longboat Key Moorings marina in Sarasota has been a favorite for cruising boat owners for years, and it recently was named the number one marina in the U.S. by readers of Southern Boating magazine.
The largest resort marina on the west coast of Florida, Longboat Key offers deep-water access to the Gulf as well as a protected location with first-class amenities. The marina has 291 slips, including many for transients; it can handle vessels up to 150 feet. Transient docking is $5.75 a foot, plus a $45 fee, both per night. You’ll be safe there, behind a 24-hour manned gate.
The marina has an easy, well-marked entrance, with a large fuel dock with gas, diesel and pump-out facilities. Each slip has electricity, water, WiFi, and access to heads, showers and laundry facilities. The resort’s amenities include a heated pool, hot tub, tennis courts, spa, four pickleball courts, bikes, and portside dining at the Portofino restaurant and four other restaurants and lounges.
A white-sand beach is across the street. It stretches 12 miles along the Gulf.
A resort shuttle will take you to the Publix grocery store about half a mile away for provisioning, or all the way to St. Armands Circle for dining and boutique shopping.
If you want to stay for a long time, you can buy a slip in the marina and get rental income when you’re not using it. If you want to stay on land, the Longboat Key Club has 226 guest rooms and slips.
