Manasota Key Travel Guide: Off the Beaten Path

By The Backseat View

If uncrowded, white sandy beaches and Caribbean Blue water call to you, Manasota Key is the answer. The small condo retirement community is a well-kept secret that has yet to sell out to the commercialism of chain hotels and restaurants. This is OLD Florida with 1950s-style houses and family-run restaurants. This Manasota Key Travel Guide explores where nature comes alive.

The days are spent fishing the tides, riding the waves, and shell hunting.

Sunset is a celebration.

The quiet island is a hidden treasure.

Where is this Secret Paradise?

• Manasota Key is an 11-mile barrier tropical island known as the gateway to southwest Florida.
• The island is 2 hours south of Tampa, south of Sarasota and Venice, and 10 minutes from Englewood.
• Manasota averages a half mile wide with Lemon Bay on the other side.
• Wild life thrives in the waters with dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and fish.

A brief island layout:

• The bridge to enter Manasota Key from the town of Englewood dead ends at Englewood Beach and the town of Manasota Key.
• There are a few restaurants and a gas station.
• It’s a tiny town.

• It is literally a one main road island.

• Go left for a 5-minute drive to Stump Pass Beach.

• Go right to drive 15 minutes to Blind Pass Beach and another 10 minutes to Manasota Beach.

• If you stay on the island, you have uncrowded beach access in just a few steps.
• The striking beach runs the entire length of the island.

The four public beaches:

1. Stump Pass Beach State Park

• Stump Pass consists of 245 acres of the Southern tip of Manasota Key with access to pristine beaches on Lemon Bay.
• There’s a 1.3-mile sandy nature trail with forest on one side and the ocean on the other side. The trail ends where the Gulf meets the bay.
• The kayak launching is in the parking lot.
• Kayak around two islands and look for manatees, turtles, and birds.
• Shelling and shark tooth hunting is best in the winter.
• There are usually only 50 people on a mile of beach.
• The parking lot is tiny (25 cars) and was full on a Tuesday at 10 am.
• There’s no parking on the side of the road because the Manasota Key Resort starts on the parking lot line.

2. Englewood Beach

• Englewood is family-friendly, with a great playground, bathhouses, and the biggest parking lot.
• Englewood Beach is within walking distance of the restaurants and bars.
• The beach chair rentals, volleyball courts, and parasailing operators are here.

3. Blind Pass Beach

• Blind Pass is known as Middle Beach and is famous for shark tooth hunting and kayaking.
• It is the least crowded beach and my favorite.
• Several fishermen were trying their luck.
• The photos were taken in June for judging beach crowds.

TIP: Blind Pass has a traditional entrance where everyone parks and sets up. Locals pull their wagons to the right down the road and enter an empty beach slice of heaven. Drive past the parking lot and see the little beach entrances. You have to turn around and park in the parking lot, but you can decide if the short walk on the road is worth the solitude.

4. Manasota Beach

• Manasota Beach is the island’s north end, a 30-minute drive from the south end of the town area.
• It has excellent bathroom facilities, a picnic area, and unlimited parking.
• This beach gets crowded with the Venice locals coming in.

Fishing

• Its location on the bay draws boating fishermen to the affordable lodging and excellent fishing waters.
• Nearshore fishing includes flounder, tripletail, sheepshead, and triggerfish.
• Shallow Water and Lemon Bay fishing include redfish and snook.
• It is a great place to book a fishing charter out of Englewood and fish from the beach or bay.
• The Manasota Key Marina is located at the south bridge as you enter the island.
• The marina books party fishing charters for up to 35 people and private charters with Reef Raider Charters.

Biking

• The bike path is just the sidewalk beside the busy road.
• Bikes are a no for me with children.
• There’s no sidewalk as you head north, so people ride on the road.
• The sidewalk heads in toward Englewood for biking alongside traffic.

Reality

• The island was hit hard in the 2022 hurricane, so condo and restaurant reviews and pictures may not be accurate if published before the hurricane.
• This is older Florida, so trailer communities, older 1940s condos, and block homes exist.
• This means low crowds because the condos are only 2-3 stories.
• Your weekly grocery shopping can be done at the Englewood Walmart.

Lodging

• The best islands always require a little work by reading reviews and deciding which condo fits your family. There are no chain hotels.

Manasota Key Resort

• Manasota Key Resort has apartment-like rooms with the bay on one side and the ocean on the other.
• Located next door to Stump Pass Beach State Park, it is the place to stay on Manasota Key.
• The resort is 1940s old but newly renovated, and the average $600 a night for beachfront reflects this.

Manasota Beach Club

• The Manasota Beach Club is a 2-star private club in the winter but rents the cottages during the summer.
• It has kid’s activities and private cottages lining the beach on the secluded north end.
• This is 20 acres of wild Florida and paradise.

Condos

• The condos and houses on the island are privately owned.
• Prices vary on VRBO and Air B&B, but the average is $300 -$400 for oceanfront and $200 for bayside.

• Condos within walking distance to restaurants are:
• The Pelican is beachfront with screened porches.
• The Beach House
• The Cottage (Englewoodcottage.com)
• La Coquina
• Krystal Key
• Older motels are on the bay, across the street from the beach. I didn’t visit any I would recommend.

Millionaire Row

• As you move farther from town to the island’s north side, you encounter Millionaire Row.
• The homes are impressive and massive, and most are gated.

Restaurants

All the restaurants are within a couple blocks of each other on the south part of the island.

1. Farlow’s

• The best restaurant nearby in Englewood is Farlow’s on The Water.
• Farlow’s serves the best fresh seafood.
• Reservations are Recommended
• If you don’t have a reservation, be there at 4:45, a few minutes before opening.
• Live music with outdoor dining, so bring your OFF.

2. Sand Bark Tiki & Grill

• The Sand Bar has been an island favorite since 1975, with a tiki hut tropical vibe and a wide menu of ribs, wings, burgers, and seafood.
• There’s always a crowd to testify.
• There is live music every day and a fun atmosphere.

3. The Waverly

• The Waverly has a lovely upstairs dining room with mesmerizing sunset views.
• The downstairs dining is super casual, with people walking from Englewood Beach.

4. Landy’s

• Landy’s is good, casual seafood with fair prices at $25 to $30 for shrimp, Mahi Mahi, fresh grouper, and $60 for 2 lbs of crab legs.
• We had a party of seven, and everyone was pleased with the quick service and delicious food.

5. Lock ‘N Key

• Lock ‘N Key for a casual lunch steps from Englewood Beach.
• They have a bar area that stays packed.

6. Magnolia’s On The Bay

• Magnolia’s for delicious fine dining.
• The seating is outdoors by the bay.

7. Captain Crab

• Captain Crab in Port Charlotte, a 30-minute drive, is the best place and price for crab legs, lobster, shrimp, and crawfish in a boil bag.
• We were delighted with all our meals and service.
• My guys always want to come here.

8. Ice cream

• Ice cream is a drive into Englewood.
• Three ice cream shops are A Better Scoop, Made in the Shade, and The Artic Alligator Creamery.

Nearby

• Don Pedro Island State Park is nearby, but check re-opening dates due to the hurricane. A private boat or ferry is the only way to reach the island. It’s one mile of empty beach and fishing paradise.
• Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve has 1.7 miles of shoreline for kayaking and a nature trail.
• The Lemon Bay area has cute little coffee shops and restaurants to explore.
• If you enjoy remote, Old Florida, check out my North Captiva Travel Guide: Where the Wild Things Roam.

Manasota Key is a stunning stretch of white sand beaches that remain off the Beaten Path. The uncrowded beaches and fishing paradise are the best reasons to visit. Thank you for reading my Manasota Key Travel Guide.