Celebrating 66 Seasons

A NEW BEGINNING • ROOTED IN TRADITION
COME STAY A WHILE

WELCOME

Celebrating 65 seasons strong, Manasota Beach Club continues its journey of restoration following the storms of 2024. While recovery efforts are still underway, we’re thrilled to have begun welcoming guests back to the property with a limited number of cottages available. Please note that the Clubhouse remains closed until further notice, but many of our beloved member activities have resumed, and the spirit of MBC is very much alive.

Each day brings new progress, and we look forward to reopening additional cottages soon. Thank you for your support as we work to restore the timeless charm and natural beauty that have made Manasota Beach Club a treasured retreat for generations.

A white beach cottage with a metal roof, a wooden deck, and outdoor furniture, situated on sandy terrain with trees and shrubs in the background under a clear blue sky.

After a historic year of storms, we are diligently working every day to restore Manasota Beach Club to its beautiful natural state. Our team is committed to revitalizing the beachfront, ensuring it reflects the charm of Old Florida.

Restoration efforts involve careful assessment and clean-up processes to repair any damage caused by the storms. We are focused on enhancing the natural landscape, nurturing native flora, and rebuilding pathways that lead to picturesque views of the ocean.

Each step we take is aimed at preserving the unique character of our property, creating a serene retreat for our members and guests. While the journey may be gradual, we are confident in our ability to bring back the beauty and tranquility that defines Manasota Beach Club. Your support during this process is greatly appreciated as we move forward together, slowly but surely.

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A young man smiling outdoors holding a fishing rod in one hand and a large fish in the other.

Long-Standing Tradition

The archeological record shows that Manasota Key has been a draw for at least 8,000 years when the Gulf was 30 feet lower than it is today. Indigenous peoples sourced shells from the area to make beads, an ancient form of currency, and active archaeological sites are located just offshore. The key remained undeveloped until the early 1900s, when Palm Ridge Lodge, a “room and board” nudist colony, was built. By the 1950s, the nudist fad had lost its luster. The Buffum family bought the property in 1960 and renamed it Manasota Beach Club; it has been owned and operated by the Buffums ever since. 

The Buffums felt that Manasota Key was more than just a winter retreat; it was a sanctuary for the soul, and the Manasota Beach Club legacy expanded with each succeeding generation. The strong connection and sense of stewardship that the family has for the property is palpable; they are committed to its preservation and continuation. Both the Clubhouse and the land are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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STAY TUNED FOR MORE UPDATES!
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Discover the unique charm of our historic accommodations at Manasota Beach Club. Each space offers a blend of timeless elegance and classic comfort, perfect for a memorable stay by the Gulf. Click below to explore these exclusive options and experience a piece of the property’s rich heritage. Your ideal beach retreat awaits.

Unique Charm. Gulf Views.

View Available Units
Beach house with a wooden deck, white lounge chairs, and outdoor furniture, overlooking the beach and ocean with palm trees in the background under a blue sky.
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A little something for everyone

Empty tennis court with a net in the center, surrounded by greenery and trees, under a partly cloudy sky.

Tennis

Lawn bowls on green grass with five colored balls and one white jack

Bocce Ball

Top-down aerial view of a rectangular swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs and lush green trees.

Heated Pool

Pickleball

A tennis ball, a paddle, and a paddle cover on a tennis court during the day.
An outdoor basketball court surrounded by greenery, with two hoop structures, a chain-link fence, and trees overhead.

Basketball

Birding

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Four red kayaks are stored in a multi-level rack outside, with a support structure and gravel underneath, and plants in the background.

Kayaks

SUP

A surfboard with a white top and orange traction pad leaning against a wooden fence in an outdoor garden area.
A person holding swimming goggles and a snorkel near the beach during sunset.

Snorkeling

Various seashells of different sizes and colors on a weathered wooden surface outdoors.

Beachcombing

Croquet set with two wooden mallets with blue grips lined up on a green outdoor court, with scattered balls and hoops in the background.

Croquet

A basket filled with books about shells, fossils, insects, and birds, placed on a sandy surface with seashells around it, some of which have labels.

Library

Sunny beach with palm trees, sandy shore, and ocean waves, with houses in the background under a clear blue sky.

Beach

Manasota Key is renowned for its fabulous shells and abundant fossilized shark teeth.

This private Gulf escape is located steps from your bedroom door when you stay with us.

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We are pleased to offer a variety of membership options that may include year-round access to Club amenities, including our beautiful beach, athletic programs, heated pool, membership events, engaging lectures, festive holiday celebrations, entertainment, and the vibrant MBC community.

Tailor your membership experience by choosing between single or family memberships, and select a membership level that aligns with your preferences, whether it's focused on sports, beach access, or all of the above.

We're here to ensure your Manasota Beach Club experience is perfect for you.

A sandy beach with a narrow concrete path leading to the ocean, framed by trees and shrubs with green and reddish leaves, a wooden railing on the right, and a partly cloudy blue sky.
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Eleven-mile-long Manasota Key is a beautiful barrier island in Southwest Florida known as “the gem of the Suncoast,” about halfway between Tampa and Fort Myers. The Gulf Coast in general is considered the quiet coast, away from the hubbub of other Florida regions, yet rich in charm, culture, history, and spectacular natural beauty. A short bridge over Lemon Bay connects Manasota Key to the restaurants, shops and galleries of Englewood, yet the Key itself is pristine and nearly entirely residential, with a peaceful, unhurried mood. The southern end of the island is a mile-long state park, with walking trails, empty beaches, and abundant native flora and fauna.

The Key is easily accessible, with four airports in the region:

  • Sarasota/Bradenton Airport (SRQ): 38 miles (45 min)

  • Punta Gorda Airport (PGD): 43 miles (50 min)

  • Fort Myers International Airport (RSW): (78 miles, 1.25 hours)

  • Tampa International Airport (TPA): 86 miles (1.5 hours

 

Simple. Natural. Peaceful. Unique.

BOOK YOUR GETAWAY TODAY