Longboat named ninth best U.S. island destination

With its perfect weather, pristine beaches and beautiful scenery, it’s no secret Longboat Key is a desirable place, and Condé Nast Traveler recognized that in its 2015 Readers’ Choice Awards. More than 128,000 people were surveyed, and Longboat Key placed ninth in the top 10 U.S. island destinations, which was announced Oct. 19.

The Hawaiian islands — Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island — erupted to the top four places on the rankings, and one other Florida destination, Amelia Island, placed tenth. The other islands named were Sea Island, Ga. Aquidneck Island, R.I., Hilton Head Island, S.C. and Kiawah Island, S.C.

“It’s an honor to be on that list with all those other islands,” said Gail Loefgren, Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce president. “They’re all beautiful places too.”

Condé Nast mentioned Longboat’s plentiful seashells and sand dollars and calls the island “the most private of the famed keys alongside Sarasota.”

Longboat has made the list twice in the magazines 28-year survey. In 2010, the Key placed second. So, why is it just ninth this year?

“It’s a numbers game,” Loefgren said. “More people go to the bigger islands, like in Hawaii, so more people vote for them. I think we’re just as good as them.”

“We’re the top island in Florida,” Loefgren said. “That’s what makes it so special.”

Loefgren said the only improvement that could help Longboat move up in the rankings is a town center.

“A town center would be great for Longboat Key as a place to gather,” Loefgren said. “But we have beautiful beaches, beautiful landscaping, nice shops, great restaurants and wonderful resorts. We’re pretty top of the line in most aspects.”

Longboat Key Mayor Jack Duncan names both the Key’s proximity to several larger cities as well as its beauty and peacefulness for making the list.

“I can’t understand why we didn’t get first,” he said. “To me, we’re second to none.”

So what do these islands have that Longboat Key doesn't? The Longboat Observer investigates.

Hawaii: Maui, Kauai, Oahu, Big Island

Maui, the first-place finisher, is the second-largest island in Hawaii and welcomes more than 2 million visitors each year. It is known for its snorkeling and scuba diving, hiking and food. Its 68-mile Road to Hana features waterfalls and the Seven Sacred Pools and is among Maui’s most popular destinations.

Kauai, at number two, is the greenest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is known for its biodiversity and rain forests and is visited by more than 1 million people each year.

In third is Oahu, Hawaii’s most populous island, which is home to 1 million people. It is also the most visited island and sees more than 5 million tourists every year. Oahu is famous for its white sand beaches, North Shore surfing and Pearl Harbor.

The fourth and final Hawaiian island on the list is the Big Island, the largest island in Hawaii. It is home to active volcanoes, including one of the world’s most active, Kiluea.

“When friends started visiting us on Longboat, people would say to us, ‘Wow, this reminds me so much of Hawaii,’” Longboat Key Mayor Jack Duncan said. “It really is true. Longboat Key is an island paradise.”

Duncan said Hawaii is more attractive to tourists who are looking for a more action-packed vacation, while Longboat Key is for those looking for a quiet, relaxing getaway.

“It’s a little more peaceful and less intense than Hawaii,” Duncan said. “I just love the peacefulness and the serenity of the beaches here.”

Sea Island, Ga.

Sea Island, which is only 60 miles north of Jacksonville, is part of the Golden Isles of Georgia. The only private island on the list, it is owned by Sea Island Acquisitions, LLC. It is renown for its southern charm, and the island is home to two high-end resorts that are visited by celebrities and presidents.

Aquidneck Island

Aquidneck Island is 40 miles away from Providence, R.I. and is popular for its sailing and the Newport Jazz Festival, which is held each August. English settlers first inhabited it in 1638, and it is the largest island in the Narragansett Bay.

South Carolina: Hilton Head Island, Kiawah Island

In South Carolina is Hilton Head Island and Kiawah Island. Hilton Head brings in more than 2 million tourists every year and is known for its beaches, shopping and restaurants. Kiawah Island, near Charleston, is famous for its golf, tennis and spa offerings.

Amelia Island

The only other island in Florida, Amelia Island, is 30 miles northeast of Jacksonville. It is a popular vacation spot for families and is known for its friendly, hospitable locals. It was named after Princess Amelia of Great Britain, George II's daughter, and is known for flying eight flags in its history: French, Spanish, British, Patriot, Green Cross, Mexican, Confederate and the U.S.