Manasota Key is a barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico off of the coast of Englewood and accessible by northern and southern bridges that connect to Highway 776 on the mainland.  Much of the beachfront on Manasota Key is dedicated to county and state parks.  The southern tip of the island is occupied by Stump Pass State Park.  Further to the north, there are additional Charlotte County and Sarasota County parks.

Many of the private homes on Manasota Key front either onto the Gulf of Mexico or the Intracoastal Waterway.  Others have deeded access to the beach front.  In the narrow northern portion of the key, some properties run across the entire island, from gulf to bay.

Several new condominium complexes are under construction or recently completed in the Charlotte County portion of the island.  The community is working with Charlotte County to create a new set of guidelines to govern future island development.