Much like its sister key to the north, Manasota Key is home to some of the most exclusive homes around. A quiet winding drive takes you past secluded homes that seem to cherish their solitude more than their grandeur. To the south, Manasota Key is bordered by Lemon Bay and its many rookeries and mangrove islands, where the manatees and dolphins are found in abundance. At the north end of the key, the historic buildings of the Hermitage Artist Retreat offer a tranquil setting for writers, composers, visual artists and more as they soak in the peace and solitude to nourish their creative juices. Blind Pass Beach, where the Hermitage sits, is one of the most peaceful, secluded beaches to be found. Just don’t tell anyone.

