Manasota Key is a barrier island located off the southern Gulf Coast right across from the town of Englewood. Access to the island is by one of two bridges; one in Sarasota County and one in Charlotte County. Once on Manasota Key, visitors are enchanted with this island where there are no high rise buildings, no traffic lights and no crowds. A two-lane road runs the length of the island with pristine beaches on each side. The Sarasota County part of the island is completely residential, and the Charlotte County side is residential with a few businesses. The far south end of Manasota Key is a state park and wildlife sanctuary. This pristine island is covered with lush, tropical foliage and has a large variety of things to do. Manasota Beach has 14 acres of white sand beach and sand dunes, and has special areas with picnic tables, fire pits, boardwalks and bathhouse facilities. Blind Pass Beach is ideal for swimming and fishing and also has a nature trail for hiking. This area is known for its excellent game fishing and has a docking area for boats on the Intracoastal Waterway. Many golf courses and tennis courts dot the area, and snorkeling, diving and water skiing are just some of the other activities to enjoy. Manasota Key is approximately 2 ½ hours from Disney World and all the other theme parks of the Kissimmee / Orlando area.

The Southwest Region of Florida, between Sarasota and Fort Myers, has comfortable weather year round. At 5 to 25 feet above sea level, the region has a subtropic climate that is checked by the tempering influence of the Gulf of Mexico. The Peace River, as well as the Gulf of Mexico, contributes to the hot and humid climate in the summertime (but it's not unbearable due to cooling Gulf breezes.)Prevailing winds are normally 12-18 mph. The rainy season lasts from June through September, with rain spread fairly evenly throughout those months. Thunderstorms tend to pop up quickly but also dissipate just as quickly, with the sunshine quickly returning. The winters are lovely with warm afternoons and mild evenings and much less rain. Hurricane season generally runs late summer through late October in the Gulf of Mexico.