Country Club Shores

Longboat Key's Premier Waterfront Boating Community

Country Club Shores wasn't simply built along the water. It was designed around it.

Beginning in 1962, developers transformed this stretch of southern Longboat Key into one of the island's first master-planned waterfront neighborhoods, creating an intricate network of protected canals that allowed nearly every home to enjoy private boating access. Instead of reserving waterfront living for only a handful of properties, the community was planned so that boating became part of everyday life.

Wide canals, generous homesites, mature landscaping, and quiet residential streets give Country Club Shores an established character that newer waterfront developments often struggle to replicate. Located just north of St. Armands Circle, residents enjoy convenient access to the Longboat Key Club, downtown Sarasota, fine dining, shopping, and one of Florida's most celebrated Gulf Coast lifestyles.

Instead of reserving waterfront living for only a handful of properties, the community was planned so that boating became part of everyday life.

~420

Waterfront homes

1962

Development began

1,800–7,000+ ft²

Living areas

Neighborhood sections

Bay & Canals

Waterfront frontage

Why Buyers Love Country Club Shores

The classic Longboat Key boating lifestyle.

For many buyers, Country Club Shores represents the classic Longboat Key boating lifestyle.

Unlike many waterfront neighborhoods where only select homes enjoy water access, nearly every residence here overlooks either Sarasota Bay or one of the community's protected canals. Private docks, quick access to open water, and generous waterfront lots make it possible to keep a boat just steps from home while still enjoying the convenience of a well-established residential neighborhood.

Another reason buyers are drawn to Country Club Shores is its remarkable evolution. Original Florida ranch homes stand alongside beautifully renovated waterfront residences and striking contemporary estates, giving the neighborhood a character that has developed naturally over more than sixty years rather than all at once. Mature landscaping, broad canals, and spacious homesites create an atmosphere that feels established without ever feeling dated.

Longboat Key ClubSt. Armands CircleDowntown Sarasota

The Story Behind Country Club Shores

Built around the water, not the streets.

Country Club Shores represents one of the earliest large-scale waterfront residential developments on Longboat Key.

1962

Boating Street Names, Boating Access

Development began in 1962 with what is now known as Unit 1. The original streets reflected the community's boating heritage, with names such as Schooner Lane, Cutter Lane, Outrigger Lane, Spinnaker Lane, and Yawl Lane. As additional phases were developed farther north, the naming theme gradually shifted toward golf-inspired streets such as Birdie Lane, Fairway Lane, and Bogey Lane, reflecting the nearby Longboat Key Club and Country Club lifestyle.

Rather than creating a conventional subdivision, the developers carved an extensive canal system into Sarasota Bay, producing a neighborhood where water became the defining feature instead of simply an amenity.

Today

Five Sections, One Community

Today, Country Club Shores consists of five separately governed neighborhood sections, each with its own homeowners association while collectively forming one of Longboat Key's most recognizable waterfront communities.

More than six decades after the first homes were built, the neighborhood continues to evolve as original residences are thoughtfully renovated and new custom homes replace older structures, ensuring that Country Club Shores remains one of the island's premier boating addresses.

The layout remains one of Country Club Shores' greatest strengths, with quiet residential streets leading toward canals that connect residents directly to Sarasota Bay.

Residences & Amenities

An impressive variety of waterfront homes.

Depending on the homesite and renovation history, homes range from comfortable waterfront residences of approximately 1,800 square feet to custom estates exceeding 7,000 square feet. Architectural styles vary considerably, reflecting more than sixty years of development and redevelopment. Many canal-front homes feature private docks with direct boating access to Sarasota Bay, while bayfront residences enjoy sweeping water views and unforgettable sunsets.

Property Type

Canal-Front Homes

Property Type

Sarasota Bay Estates

Property Type

Renovated Waterfront Homes

Property Type

New Custom Construction

Deep-water canals with boating access

Sarasota Bay waterfront homesites

Private docks (where available)

Mature tropical landscaping

Quiet residential streets

Multiple neighborhood entrances

Convenient access to the Longboat Key Club

Minutes from St. Armands Circle

Nearby Gulf beaches

Easy access to downtown Sarasota

Lifestyle Policies

What to know before you buy.

Pets	Household pets are generally permitted, subject to the governing documents of each individual unit.
Parking	Owners should comply with the parking requirements established by their respective homeowners association.
Boats & Docks	Many homes include private docks. Improvements and waterfront structures may require Association and governmental approvals.
Noise	Residents are expected to maintain the quiet residential character of the neighborhood.
Architectural Changes	Exterior improvements, additions, seawalls, docks, landscaping, and other modifications generally require prior architectural approval by the applicable homeowners association.
Association Structure	Country Club Shores consists of five separate homeowners associations, each governing its own section of the neighborhood.

Association rules may change over time. Buyers should verify current policies before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything buyers ask us first.

How many homes are in Country Club Shores?

Country Club Shores consists of approximately 420 single-family homes spread across five separately governed neighborhood sections.

What types of homes are available?

The neighborhood consists exclusively of single-family residences, including canal-front homes, Sarasota Bay waterfront estates, extensively renovated waterfront properties, and newly constructed custom luxury homes.

When was Country Club Shores developed?

Development began in 1962, with the neighborhood expanding through five distinct sections over the following years.

How large are the homes?

Residences generally range from approximately 1,800 square feet to over 7,000 square feet, depending on the homesite, architectural design, and renovations.

Are all homes waterfront?

Nearly every residence enjoys either Sarasota Bay frontage or protected deep-water canal frontage. Only a small number of homes along portions of Bogey Lane back up to Gulf of Mexico Drive rather than the water.

Can homeowners keep boats behind their homes?

Many residences feature private docks with direct boating access to Sarasota Bay. Dock configurations, vessel sizes, and improvements vary by property and applicable regulations.

Is Country Club Shores gated?

No. Country Club Shores is an open residential neighborhood rather than a gated community.

Do residents have beach access?

The neighborhood does not include a private beach club. However, residents enjoy convenient access to Longboat Key's public Gulf beaches, many located just minutes away.

Are pets allowed?

Yes. Household pets are generally permitted, subject to the governing documents of the applicable homeowners association.

What makes Country Club Shores unique?

Its extensive canal system, generous waterfront homesites, private boating access, mature landscaping, and exceptional location near St. Armands Circle make Country Club Shores one of Longboat Key's most desirable waterfront neighborhoods.

Buying in Country Club Shores

Find your residence.

Every waterfront property tells a different story. In Country Club Shores, canal width, boating access, dock configuration, seawall condition, water depth, bay exposure, lot orientation, renovation quality, and architectural style can dramatically influence which home is the right fit. For more than four decades, Pettingell Professionals has helped buyers navigate Sarasota and Longboat Key's luxury waterfront market. We've had the privilege of watching neighborhoods like Country Club Shores evolve over time, giving us a unique perspective on what distinguishes one waterfront property from another and how individual homes compare throughout the community. If Country Club Shores is on your shortlist, we'll help you understand not only which property best fits your boating and lifestyle goals, but also how it compares with other exceptional waterfront neighborhoods throughout Longboat Key and Sarasota.

Selling in Country Club Shores

Tell your home's story.

Today's luxury buyers begin their search long before they schedule a showing. They compare waterfront neighborhoods, evaluate boating access, study lot sizes, review renovations, and look for trustworthy information before deciding which homes deserve a closer look. That's why we've created one of Sarasota's most comprehensive luxury condominium and residential community guides. Our goal is simple. When someone searches for Country Club Shores Longboat Key, we want them to find the most accurate, informative, and complete resource available. More importantly, we want your home to be part of that discovery. For sellers, this matters. A beautifully renovated Country Club Shores residence should never be presented as simply another waterfront home. It deserves to be positioned within the story of the neighborhood, the quality of its renovation, its boating capabilities, the lifestyle it offers, and the enduring appeal of one of Longboat Key's original waterfront communities. Combined with exceptional photography, cinematic video, strategic digital marketing, and more than four decades of experience representing Sarasota's finest properties, we position your home where today's luxury buyers begin their search. We don't simply market luxury homes. We tell the story behind them, connect the right buyers with the right properties, and represent every client with the level of service that exceptional real estate deserves.

The Pettingell Community Guides

Exceptional real estate decisions begin with exceptional information.

The Pettingell Community Guides were created to provide buyers and sellers with accurate, objective, and thoughtfully researched information about Sarasota and Longboat Key's most exceptional condominium communities, residential neighborhoods, and waterfront enclaves. Every guide is independently researched, regularly updated, and written to help you understand not only the facts about a community, but also the history, lifestyle, architecture, and details that make it unique.

Rather than relying on marketing language or generic descriptions, our goal is to create the most complete and trustworthy resource available for each community we cover. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply exploring Sarasota's luxury real estate market, we hope these guides help you make more informed decisions and discover the communities that best fit your lifestyle.

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Country Club Shores