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Surprising Facts About Siesta Key, Lido Key and Longboat Key

Siesta Key, Longboat Key, and Lido Key are three neighboring barrier islands that separate Sarasota Bay from the Gulf of Mexico. They are known for their soft white sand beaches and shallow Gulf waters, but there are plenty more fun facts to discover about these popular Sarasota, Florida vacation destinations.

Photo credit Nita Ettinger

  1. The word “key” comes from the Spanish word cayo which means “shoal” or “reef”.
  2. Longboat Key is Sarasota’s longest and most northerly barrier island with 12 miles of sandy coastline. It is a popular island for nesting turtles to come ashore and lay their eggs.
Longboat Key ~ Photo credit Nita Ettinger

  1. Lido Key was indirectly named by Sarasota resident John Ringling. A fan of Italian culture, he referred to the key’s beach as a lido which means “shore” in Italian. The name Lido Key stuck.
Lido Key ~ Photo credit Nita Ettinger

  1. Siesta Key stretches for eight miles along the coast of Sarasota County but it covers just 2.4 square miles of land! Siesta Beach is regarded as one of the best beaches in the world. Siesta Beach ~ Photo credit Nita Ettinger

Photo credit Nita Ettinger