8,000 of visitors from colder climates flock to Longboat Key in season . Off winter , the island feels like the closest thing to having a private beach . Longboat Key is no more than a mile in length and less than 11 miles wide . Neighboring St. Armands Key offers a shopping circle of boutiques and restaurants .
Thousands of visitors from colder climates flock to Longboat Key in winter . Off season , the island feels like the closest thing to having a private beach . Longboat Key is less than 11 miles in length and no more than a mile wide . Neighboring St. Armands Key offers a shopping circle of boutiques and restaurants .