Here’s the good news about summer rain on Longboat Key: it rarely lasts. A typical August day starts bright and sunny, clouds build in the afternoon, a storm rolls through with thunder and a downpour, and an hour or two later the sun is back out for sunset. So if the forecast shows rain every day of your trip, don’t panic, and definitely don’t cancel. Plan your beach time for the morning, and keep a few of these rainy-day ideas in your back pocket for the afternoon.
First, a Quick Word on Lightning
Florida leads the country in lightning, and summer storms bring plenty of it. The rule is simple: when you hear thunder, get off the beach and out of the pool, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before heading back out. The storm often looks far away when it isn’t. Keep an eye on the sky, and on our live beach camera, which is a handy way to check whether the rain has passed.
9 Rainy Day Ideas Near Longboat Key
1. Explore The Ringling
The former winter estate of circus showman John Ringling is one of Sarasota’s great treasures: an art museum with a serious collection, the Circus Museum (kids love the enormous miniature circus model), and Ca’ d’Zan, the Ringlings’ Venetian-style mansion on the bay. There’s easily an afternoon’s worth of indoor exploring. ringling.org
2. Meet the sharks at Mote SEA
Mote Marine Laboratory’s new Science Education Aquarium at 225 University Town Center Drive in Sarasota is a perfect storm-day escape, with marine life, hands-on exhibits and the science behind the Gulf you’ve been swimming in all week. Mote suggests buying tickets online to guarantee entry.
3. Visit the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
Up in Bradenton, the Bishop Museum combines a natural history museum, a planetarium and a manatee rehabilitation habitat, which makes it a great pick for families. bishopscience.org
4. Wander the conservatory at Selby Gardens
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in downtown Sarasota is famous for its orchids and bromeliads, and its tropical conservatory keeps you under cover. Light rain actually makes the gardens glow. selby.org
5. See a show or a gallery in Sarasota
Sarasota punches far above its size for the arts, with galleries, museums and theaters a short drive from the island. Check what’s on the week of your stay. The Sarasota Art Museum is a good rainy-afternoon starting point.
6. Shop and snack at St. Armands Circle
The shops and restaurants around St. Armands Circle are just south of Longboat Key. Duck between boutiques during a passing shower, and stay for an early dinner once it clears.
7. Plan a long, lazy seafood lunch
A rainy afternoon is the perfect excuse for a two-hour lunch. Pick one from our list of the top seafood restaurants within 10 minutes of Sand Cay.
8. Stay in and enjoy the condo
This is where a condo beats a hotel room. With two bedrooms, a full kitchen and a view of the Gulf, a rainy afternoon at Sand Cay is genuinely nice: bake something, start a puzzle, read on the balcony with the storm rolling in over the water, or catch up on laundry for free on site. [ASK SAND CAY: Do units or the office have board games, books or DVDs for guests? Mention them here if so.]
9. Watch the storm come in
Honestly, one of the best shows on Longboat Key is free. From a Gulf-front balcony, you can watch a summer storm build over the water, roll across the beach and move off inland, often followed by a spectacular sunset. Just stay inside while the lightning is close.
Before you head out, check the Sand Cay Concierge page for guest discounts on local attractions and restaurants. No car? See our guide to getting around without one.
How to Plan a Summer Day Around the Rain
- Beach and pool in the morning, when the weather is usually clearest.
- Indoor plans or a long lunch from mid-afternoon, when storms tend to build.
- Back outside for sunset. Evenings often clear up nicely after a storm.
- Check the radar, not just the forecast. A “60% chance of rain” often means one short storm, not a washed-out day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it rain every day in the summer on Longboat Key?
Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are common from June through September, but they’re usually brief. Mornings and evenings are often sunny.
How long should I wait to swim after a thunderstorm?
Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder you hear before going back into the Gulf or the pool.
What’s there to do near Longboat Key when it rains?
Nearby indoor options include The Ringling museums, Mote’s Science Education Aquarium, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Selby Gardens’ conservatory, galleries and theaters in Sarasota, and the shops at St. Armands Circle.
A little rain never ruined a Gulf-front week. See our condos and rates, or call (800) 843-4459 ext. 102.
