90°
Mostly Sunny
10%
78
Manatee County, FL · Gulf of Mexico
Longboat Key Beach (Bayfront Park Access)
4052 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key, FL 34228
Longboat Key is 10 miles of mostly-private Gulf shoreline with about a dozen tiny public-access points scattered along Gulf of Mexico Drive — each typically with only a handful of parking spaces. Bayfront Park (mid-key) has the main concentration of amenities; cross GMD to the beach. Quiet, residential, no commercial strip.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
88°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 101. West southwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 83. Heat index values as high as 100. West northwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
Weather
- 90°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 88°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
76 /100
great
76 Swim
73 Sunbathe
81 Walk
78 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.7 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
90°F
Clear
Wind
5 to 9 mph
WSW
Rain
10%
Today
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 12 PM–02 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
90°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
88°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
8:26 PM
-0.4 ft · in 5.2h
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 6mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (GMZ853)
The TBW office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- FLZ139 Coastal Levy-Coastal Citrus-Coastal Hernando-Coastal Pasco — Cedar Key, Yankeetown, Crystal River, n/a
- FLZ050 Pinellas-Coastal Hillsborough-Coastal Manatee-Coastal Sarasota — Clearwater Beach, Saint Pete Beach, n/a
- FLZ162 Coastal Charlotte-Coastal Lee — Manasota Key, Palm Island, Captiva, Sanibel, n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:43 AM
Sunset
8:28 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 11:54 AM | High | 2.9 ft |
| 8:26 PM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:50 PM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 9:17 PM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:45 PM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 10:03 PM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:42 PM | High | 2.9 ft |
| 10:45 PM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:08 AM | High | 1.5 ft |
| 9:12 AM | Low | 1.4 ft |
| 3:39 PM | High | 2.8 ft |
| 11:22 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:16 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 10:22 AM | Low | 1.2 ft |
| 4:36 PM | High | 2.6 ft |
| 11:56 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:29 AM | High | 1.7 ft |
| 11:29 AM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| 5:34 PM | High | 2.3 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8726520, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
90°
Sunny
10%
76
90°
Sunny
10%
76
91°
Sunny
3%
74
91°
Mostly Sunny
2%
74
90°
Sunny
10%
74
90°
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
25%
35
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 88°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 90°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Free, very limited — small lots at each access (some only 5–10 spaces). Bayfront Park lot is the largest.
Dogs
Dogs not allowed on Longboat Key beaches per Town Code Sec. 92.04. Leashed (8-ft max) dogs OK at Bayfront Park and Joan Durante Park; off-leash inside the fenced Bayfront Park Dog Park.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
4052 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key, FL 34228
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Longboat Key Beach (Bayfront Park Access) today?
Longboat Key Beach (Bayfront Park Access) shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Longboat Key Beach (Bayfront Park Access) dog-friendly?
Dogs not allowed on Longboat Key beaches per Town Code Sec. 92.04. Leashed (8-ft max) dogs OK at Bayfront Park and Joan Durante Park; off-leash inside the fenced Bayfront Park Dog Park.
Is there an entry fee at Longboat Key Beach (Bayfront Park Access)?
Entry to Longboat Key Beach (Bayfront Park Access) is free.
Are there lifeguards at Longboat Key Beach (Bayfront Park Access)?
No lifeguards are stationed at Longboat Key Beach (Bayfront Park Access). Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Longboat Key Beach (Bayfront Park Access)?
Amenities at Longboat Key Beach (Bayfront Park Access) include restrooms (Bayfront Park), playground, tennis, pickleball, shuffleboard (Bayfront Park).
When is the water warmest at Longboat Key Beach (Bayfront Park Access)?
The Gulf of Mexico is bathwater-warm by mid-summer — 84-88°F is typical from July through September on the FL Gulf, TX coast, and AL/MS coast. Swimming comfortable from April through October on most of the Gulf.
Where is Longboat Key Beach (Bayfront Park Access) located?
Longboat Key Beach (Bayfront Park Access) is in Manatee County, FL, at 4052 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key, FL 34228.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS