Longboat Key Among 'Top 12 Destinations For 2025' In World: List

LONGBOAT KEY, FL — A barrier island off the coast of Sarasota and Manatee counties landed on Forbes Travel Guide’s list of “Top 12 Destinations for 2025.”

Longboat Key offers 12 miles of white-sand beaches, as well as “luxury resorts, waterfront golf and upscale dining,” according to Visit Florida.

The barrier island is split between both counties though the Forbes listing focuses on the island’s Sarasota side. It also emphasizes the new St. Regis Longboat Key Resort.

“Unless you are a local, you might not know about this tranquil barrier island off the coast of Sarasota. Here, visitors will discover 12 miles of soft white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and nature preserves,” the Forbes’ listing reads. “But the secret is out with the opening of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, the only hotel from the brand to debut in the U.S. in 2024 and the largest development on the island in 50 years.”

The 18-acre beachfront hotel has more than a half dozen restaurants, a 20,000-square-foot spa, and a 500,000-gallon lagoon wildlife experience for snorkelers with 40 rays, 2,800 local reef fish and resident Aldabra tortoises.

Forbes’ full list includes global destinations from Amsterdam to Monaco to Bhutan in South Asia.

Check out what other locations made the top 12.