Geography

Located 15 miles South of Sarasota, Casey Key is bordered to the West by the Gulf of Mexico and to the East by Little Sarasota Bay. Just an hour’s drive South from Tampa, this lush, secluded island stretches a mere eight miles between Siesta Key and the Island of Venice and also runs parallel to the communities of South Sarasota, Osprey and Nokomis.

Predominantly residential, less than 600 people are thought to live in this exclusive enclave. The island is a conservation area and has several miles of unspoiled beaches, making it an ideal destination for a quiet, relaxing retreat. A single road winds its way down the spine of the island where at some points the width averages less than six feet! Casey Key is connected to the mainland by two bridges, one on the North end and one on the South end of the Key. The North bridge is one of the oldest swinging bridges in the United States, dating back to the 1920s.less

Attractions

White sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters await you in this Gulf shore island paradise. Access to the public beach area is available only near the southern tip of the island. Small B&Bs and property rentals with private beaches are offered for rent near the South bridge; also on the South end is Nokomis Beach, a large white sand public beach popular with locals.

At the Southernmost point of the island you’ll find North Jetty Park Beach; it is very popular for its shaded picnic sites, play area, shelling, and surfing as well as fishing on the rocks of the jetty where the Intra-coastal meets the Gulf. The channel is a famous area for dolphin watching, and a resident pod often can be seen to the Southeast of the jetty. The beaches are open daily and lifeguards are on duty during peak hours. All other parts of the beach are considered part of Casey Key’s numerous private estates. 

Restaurants, cafes and bars are not allowed on Casey Key. (In fact there are no stoplights and no high rises on Casey Key either!) However, there are local eateries located at the West end of the North bridge, replete with 175 feet of deep-water dockage for patrons’ use. The Intracoastal Waterway is just to the East of Casey Key, which also offers opportunities for boating. Boat charters are available from the marina for deep-sea fishing in the Gulf and fishing gear and bait are available from the North Jetty Fish Camp on the Northern bank of the inlet. 

Real Estate

On this island stretch you’ll find residential options that range from sleek and modern to quaint and historic to absolutely opulent! From well priced waterfront land parcels to historic bungalows, waterfront cottages and well-appointed estates, this private and prestigious location offers primarily single family homes.

Some parts of the island are so narrow that residents have Gulf to Bay property ownership; this means the Gulf of Mexico flows through their front yards and Sarasota Bay through their backyards! 

With approximately 600 residents, this is the place where the rich and famous relax. Gulf-to-Bay property could be purchased for $20,000 in the 1950’s; today real estate on Casey Key averages in the millions, and can easily range up to $25 million for a small estate. Casey Key is truly the largest gem of southwest Florida’s glittering Gulf coast. This exclusive island paradise offers tropical remoteness juxtaposed with the close accessibility of both Venice and Sarasota.