Quick Point Nature Preserve
The Quick Point Nature Preserve is a 34-acre conservation area on the southern end of Longboat Key. Bordered by New Pass to the south, Sarasota Bay to the east, private property to the north, and Gulf of Mexico Drive to the west, the preserve is a living example of coastal restoration and stewardship.
Quick Point was heavily impacted by human activity during the mid-20th century, when dredged sand from New Pass covered native habitats and extensive ditching altered mangroves and salt marshes. In 1985, the Town of Longboat Key acquired the property to protect and restore its natural systems. Through partnerships with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, and Southwest Florida Water Management District, the site was restored and formally dedicated to the community in 1996.
Access
Accessing the preserve is a little tricky. To get there, park in the shell lot at the adjacent Overlook Park on the opposite side of Gulf of Mexico Dr. Then use the wooden walkway under the New Pass bridge on the south side—it wraps around to Quick Point.
- 100 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key, FL
- Closed between the hours of 11:00 p.m. through 5:00 am
- Pets are prohibited
- Additional Rules and Regulations
Habitats
Visitors can explore several distinct habitats restored to reflect the site’s historical conditions including mangroves, coastal uplands, oyster beds, and seagrass beds. Restoration efforts removed invasive plants like Australian pine and Brazilian pepper and reintroduced native species. New plantings include cabbage palm, green buttonwood, gumbo limbo, sea grape, and red cedar, along with understory plants such as beach sunflower, muhly grass, and sand cordgrass.
Wildlife
Quick Point supports a wide range of coastal wildlife. Wading birds such as osprey, brown pelican, great blue heron, snowy egret, white ibis, and tri-colored heron can often be spotted along the shore. Mangrove crabs, orb weaver spiders, and a variety of insects thrive in the habitats, while raccoons, armadillos, and rabbits may occasionally be seen.
And keep your eyes peeled for the elusive Florida intertidal firefly (Micronaspsis floridana). There are reports of it nearby in the mangroves at Leffis Key and Emerson Point in Bradenton, but no sightings documented yet in Sarasota.
Community Science
Quick Point Nature Preserve is also a site for community-based biodiversity surveys started as a FMNP Group Project during one of our Coastal Systems courses. Through the free iNaturalist platform, visitors can record observations of plants and animals, share findings with a global network of naturalists, and contribute valuable data for conservation.
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📬 Keep in Touch
Have you explored Quick Point Nature Preserve? Share your experience with us.
- 📧 Send questions or stories to endlessoceans@mote.org
- 🔗 Share your photos and observations using #FMNPMote
- 📰 Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on nature preserves and FMNP courses
- ▶️ Explore more on our YouTube channel
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