Waterfront-living in southern Florida
The upscale enclave of Manasota Key is a waterfront community that combines southern Florida living with a mix of seclusion and security with everyday essentials nearby at Merchants Crossing. Residents of Manasota Key spend most of their time outdoors adventuring along the palm tree-lined roads inviting residents to enjoy the natural bodies of water that surround the island. Locals take advantage of the white sand coastline at Englewood Beach to the West and the tranquil mangrove forests surrounding Lemon Bay to the East. Upon entry into the island, utilizing Beach Road, visitors can catch a glimpse of the homes peeking out from behind palm trees and lush native flora. They call it the quiet neighbor to Sarasota and Venice,” says Debi Harman, a Realtor with RE/MAX Alliance Group. “Residents are desperately trying to keep Manasota Key a secret so it remains quaint.”
Multi-level Mediterranean homes and coastal cottages
Manasota Key features a range of housing options from one-story cottages and ranch-style homes to multi-level coastal homes with Mediterranean-influence. With a median sales price of $800,000, price points here can range from the high $300,000s to upwards of $8,000,000 depending on the age, size and location of the property. For example, a two-bedroom ranch-style fixer-upper with nearby access to a community pool costs around $370,000, while a waterfront five-bedroom Mediterranean-inspired home with an eight-car garage and private beach access can go for around $8,000,000. Waterfront homes are subject to increased price points and often feature large lots with secluded beach fronts. Homes here often feature stilts, wide front porches and multi-car garages and are typically fronted by small yards with palm trees and native flora. “Manasota Key attracts families and retirees alike looking for a beach town with many water activities, shelling and shark tooth hunting,” says local Venice and Sarasota Realtor, Heydy Muench with Century 21 Schmidt Real Estate.
Shopping at Merchants Crossing
Residents here shop at Merchants Crossing, which offers a variety of department stores and retailers to choose from, like Bealls Florida, Swim Mart and Goodwill. While groceries and other everyday essentials are available at nearby stores like Publix, Winn-Dixie and CVS. When dining in the area, residents visit Magnolias on the Bay for outdoor dining with stunning views of Lemon Bay. Or head to Lock ‘N Key Restaurant and Pub for indoor-outdoor dining and happy hour cocktails from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. For seafood fare and bar snacks, SandBar Tiki and Grille offers dining with waterfront views and live music.
High-marks for Sarasota County Schools
Students in the Manasota Key area can attend schools on the mainland like Englewood Elementary, Venice Middle and Venice High, all three of which earned a ranking of A-minus or higher from the educational review site, Niche. Englewood Elementary offers a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, while Venice Middle boasts a Teen Court program composed of students and overseen by an adult volunteer judge to facilitate critical thinking and encourage greater responsibility. Venice High offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) program dedicated to preparing students for higher education and their chosen field in the workforce. Private institutions like Venice SDA Christian Elementary School and Faith Christian Academy are also common here.
White-sand beaches and Lemon Bay kayaking
Manasota Key residents are within walking distance of the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the West, providing opportunities for swimming, fishing and hunting for sharks’ teeth on the white-sand beaches. “These secluded beaches are special, because there are not that many of them left,” says Harman. On the East side, explore the clear waters of the Lemon Bay in a kayak, paddle through the mangrove forests and view local marine life at the Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve. The preserve features a kayak launch and rentals can be secured at Allure Boat Rentals nearby. For beach volleyball courts, shaded on-the-go lunch and on-site fishing off the pier, locals visit Chadwick Park.
Englewood Beach Waterfest
Watersport enthusiasts are in luck with the annual Englewood Beach Waterfest hosted in November. During the festival, Englewood Beach hosts the OPA Racing World Championships, featuring over 75 boats reaching speeds up to and over 150 miles per hour and attracting over 40,000 people every year. The Englewood Beach Waterfest features a pre-race event to kick off the weekend, a block party with live music and spectating opportunities for the championship race within the Manasota Key community. Two-day admission prices vary from $30.00 purchased in advance to $35.00 on-site the day of the event.
Flood risk and transportation in Manasota Key
The Manasota Key community is primarily car-dependent and relies on Beach Road for access to the mainland and neighboring areas like Englewood to the East. When traveling on the island, residents utilize two-lane North Beach Road and Manasota Key Road for travel within the community. For those seeking to travel longer distances, the Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport is only 40 miles away from Manasota Key. Because of Manasota Key’s location on the Gulf of Mexico and sub-tropical climate, hurricanes and flooding are more likely. Sarasota County recommends preventative measures like electing in the National Flood Insurance Program, considering most homeowner’s insurance does not already include flood damage.
