Sand Key is a barrier island with the Gulf of Mexico to one side and the Intracoastal Waterway to the other. Since the late 1900s, this coastal community has welcomed a mix of Floridians escaping the Tampa Bay area’s urban density. “It’s a really quiet, residential beach community with a mix of retirees and professionals,” says Property Manager Ryan Osburn of Meridian Sand Key, a local condominium complex. While the island has various day-to-day amenities, access to the water is easily Sand Key’s primary draw. “The best part of living here is walking across the street to the beach,” says Meridian Sand Key Concierge and 10-year resident C.C. Veltre. “You’ll often spot manatees and dolphins. And with the Intracoastal on the other side, you can easily go boating or kayaking.”
Sand Key is filled with mostly secured condominiums & hotels.
Get some daily exercise on your paddle boards when living in Sand Key.
Sand in your toes & water in your hair is what you will being living when in Sand Key.
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Over 2 miles of white sand beaches
White sand beaches run the length of Sand Key to the west, just over 2 miles. “Many people don’t know about Sand Key Beach. They just go to the main thrust of Clearwater Beach to the north,” Veltre says. Most of this Gulf coastline is directly accessible to condominium residents. However, locals and visitors from the mainland can enjoy the breeze and sunset together at Sand Key Park. This 95-acre outdoor space offers ½ mile of beach, fishing spots, nature trails, a dog park and a wildlife-filled marsh. Beachgoers can even spot sea turtles nesting between April and October. About 1 mile south, the much smaller Bay Park features tennis and pickleball courts and a playground.
Your days will be spent on the white sand beaches when living in Sand Key.
Bocce ball is a fun game to play during the beautiful days in Sand Key.
Let your pup run wild in the dog park at Sand Key beach park.
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From waterfront townhouses to beachside penthouses
Condominiums dominate Sand Key’s residential real estate. Most of the neighborhood’s roughly 2,000 residents live in one- to four-bedroom condos in towers along Gulf Boulevard. Many buildings offer beach access, community swimming pools and water views. Meanwhile, two small communities to the southeast feature contemporary townhouses and detached Mediterranean Revivals with private docks on the Intracoastal Waterway. Prices start at around $430,000 for studio condos under 630 square feet. For $1 million to $2 million, homebuyers might buy a five-bedroom Mediterranean-style home with a private pool and a dock. Peak price tags are about $5 million, which could buy a four-bedroom, nearly 4,800-square-foot penthouse.
Many condominiums in Sand Key have a secured entrance along with many amenities & beach views.
Sand Key only has one section with single family homes in a private community.
If you want something a little bigger than a condo, there is private townhomes in Sand Key.
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A central shopping and dining hub
Many locals are within walking distance of the Shoppes on Sand Key, the community’s primary shopping area. Visitors can grab beach gear, a cup of Dunkin’ coffee, or a new outfit. “Poolside is my favorite local boutique,” Veltre says. “They’re very reasonably priced with their clothing, accessories, gifts and so on.” A few doors down is Columbia Restaurant, a vibrant, tile-decorated Spanish restaurant, part of a regional chain dating to 1905. “It’s famous all over Florida, especially for its Cuban sandwiches and chicken and yellow rice,” Osburn says. Sometimes, locals venture north across the Sand Key Bridge to enjoy the Clearwater Beach nightlife. Hotspots include Shepard’s Beach Resort, which frequently hosts live bands and DJs. Residents also venture off the island to shop for day-to-day needs, including at two nearby Publix supermarkets.
The Columbia is a traditional Cuban-Spanish restaurant with amazing food & waterfront views.
Stop into Poolside clothing store for a little shopping while in Sand Key.
Check out all the different shops in the strip mall at Shoppes on Sand Key.
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Public schools on the mainland
All public schools serving Sand Key are in Largo, across the Intracoastal Waterway. Students are as much as a 6-mile drive from Mildred Helms Elementary School, which has a B from Niche. About 1 mile east is Largo Middle School, which has a B-minus and hosts about 900 students. Largo High School, home to nearly 2,100 Packers, has an A-minus. It’s over a century old and currently hosts an International Baccalaureate magnet program. Students can also earn industry-standard certifications in programs like AutoCAD and skills like welding.
Mildred Helms elementary school is rated a B on Niche.
Largo middle school is rated a B- school in Niche.
Largo High School serves students in the Largo community.
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Trolley rides up and down the coast
“Traffic is horrible” going on and off the island, Veltre says, so drivers should expect gridlock on the bridges. However, traveling along Sand Key is a breeze thanks to the Suncoast Beach Trolley, which has several stops along Gulf Boulevard. It also takes locals to neighboring barrier island communities like Clearwater Beach and Indian Rocks Beach.
Just hop over the Sand Key bridge to clearwater if you are looking for a more lively night life.
The trolly's run up & down gulf blvd helping you get around town with stops in Sand Key.
Sand in your toes & water in your hair is what you will being living when in Sand Key.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jane McCroary,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Pier 60 Park
Picnic Area
Beach
Playground
Sand Key Park
Dog Park
Grills
Picnic Area
Bay Park on Sand Key
Picnic Area
Tennis
Pickleball
Hallett Park
Dog Park
Lake
Winston Park
Fishing
Picnic Area
Trails
Transit
Airport
St Pete-Clearwater International
35 min drive
Bus
Gulf Blvd & # 1301
Bus
Gulf Blvd & Bayside Gardens
Bus
Gulf Blvd & Marina Del Rey Ct
Bus
Gulf Blvd & Harborage Ct
Bus
Gulf Blvd & 1201
Bus
Gulf Blvd & 58th Ave
Bus
Gulf Blvd & 1180
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Sand Key
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Sand Key, Clearwater sell after 113 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Sand Key, Clearwater over the last 12 months is $1,025,837, up 3% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Stunning Gulf and Intracoastal Views | Completely Updated Condo in Dan’s Island, Sand Key. Located in the prestigious Dan’s Island community on Clearwater Beach’s exclusive Sand Key, this beautifully renovated beachside residence offers unmatched panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico, the Intracoastal Waterway, and south along Gulf Boulevard. Perched on the southeast corner of the sixth floor,
HUGE PRICE ADJUSTMENT TO $699,900! CRESCENT BEACH CLUB II DIRECT GULF FRONT Upscale Residence! Experience Luxurious Coastal living and elegance with this one-bedroom,two-bath condo offering an UNOBSTRUCTED BEACHFRONT view of the sugary sands of Sand Key / Clearwater Beach and the azure water of theGulf of Mexico. Fully reimagined and meticulously renovated throughout & offering unmatched
Richard RippetoeCOASTAL PROPERTIES GROUP INTERNATIONAL
Sand Key Club GULF FRONT Condo with water view from the 1st Floor and has immediate access to the POOL DECK. FULLY FURNISHED Two Bedroom, Two Full Baths, Laundry Room, Remodeled Kitchen, Automated blinds from 3 Day Blinds. Hurricane-resistant windows and sliding doors, all backed by lifetime warranties for these Storm Doors. Porcelin Tiles in Both Bathrooms and New Engineered Hardwood Floors
Once beyond the 24/7 gated security, the elevator leads to the exquisite Penthouse condominium of Legendary Recording Artist Gary Puckett of Gary Puckett and the Union Gap. PH1 is a splendidly renovated 4 bedroom 4 bath 3,532 sq. foot elegant and private retreat. This beautiful sanctuary with it’s premium finishes, 840 Sq. Ft. Living room area, indescribable kitchen with Cristallo Quartzite
Welcome to coastal luxury living at its finest in this tastefully renovated residence! This stunning condo blends style and functionality, featuring a dream kitchen with a large island, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, solid wood cabinetry, and a custom dry bar complete with a wine refrigerator—perfect for entertaining. The open floor plan is complemented by luxury vinyl flooring
Wake up to glorious morning sunrise over the Intracoastal and wind down in the evening with a spectacular Gulf sunsets. All this from your beautifully renovated and elevated, first-floor corner unit on Sand Key. Just steps from a heated beachfront pool and the soft sand, this light-filled condo offers water views from every window and seamless indoor-outdoor living. Fully updated in 2015, the
Kerryn EllsonCOASTAL PROPERTIES GROUP INTERNATIONAL
Wake up to the soothing sounds of the waves and enjoy breathtaking, floor-to-ceiling views of the Gulf. Spend your days relaxing on the pristine beach or taking advantage of fantastic amenities like tennis, pickleball, shuffleboard, basketball, and volleyball. Prefer a slower pace? Lounge by the beautiful heated pool and hot tub, available year-round.This peaceful, private condo feels
*Avail May2025-Dec2025*at DISCOUNTED Off Peak price of $2600 -(30day min) 14th Floor Direct Gulf Front REMODELED Unit with spectacular views up and down the Beach offering BOTH the BEACH and the Intracoastal Waterway View. Kitchen fully updated w/Granite and stainless-Steel appliances. SUNSETS galore from the open Balcony. Master suite has a King size bed and a private bathroom, 2nd bedroom has a
Stunning 2-Bed, 2-Bath Corner Unit with Gulf Views – Annual LeaseLive the dream with breathtaking, direct Gulf views from your private balcony! Enjoy morning coffee while soaking in the sunrises from your front patio. This fully updated, modern 2-bedroom, 2-bath corner unit on the 16th floor offers incredible views of the Gulf of Mexico, Intracoastal Waterways, and is just steps from the
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jane McCroary,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,463
Median Age
70
Population Density
13 ppl/acre
Population under 18
3.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
63.7%
Significantly above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$107,258
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$143,605
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.9%
College Graduates
58.7%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
30.8%
% Population in Labor Force
35.1%
Significantly below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
55''
Average Winter Low Temperature
52°F
Average Summer High Temperature
91°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
46/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
44/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
35/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
