Quick Point Nature Preserve birding guide
A small mangrove preserve on New Pass with boardwalk views of mudflats and Sarasota Bay, good for shorebirds, waders, and migrant songbirds.
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Quick facts
- Where
- 100 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key, FL 34228 (Longboat Key (south end), Sarasota County)
- Hours
- 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., per Town of Longboat Key park rules. The Florida Birding Trail lists sunrise to sunset.
- Fees
- Free.
- Best time
- Spring and fall migration for songbirds. For shorebirds, the Florida Birding Trail suggests checking the boardwalk overlooks at low tide.
Overview
Quick Point is a 34-acre Town of Longboat Key preserve at the south end of the island, created to protect and restore wetland and mangrove habitat. Trails and boardwalks pass man-made and natural tidal lagoons and look out over the New Pass mudflats and the sandbars of Sarasota Bay.
Sarasota Audubon says more than 180 species have been reported here, from waders and shorebirds to warblers, thrushes, and flycatchers in migration.
Birds to expect by season
Late October and November
Depending on the tide, the mudflats and lagoons hold waders and shorebirds such as American Oystercatcher, ibis, terns, and both night-herons. Fall migrants can turn up in the trees anywhere along the trail.
- American Oystercatcher
- White Ibis
- Snowy Egret
- Great Blue Heron
- terns
- Black-crowned Night-Heron
- Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
- Osprey
- migrant warblers
- flycatchers
Year-round regulars
- Osprey
- White Ibis
- Snowy Egret
- Great Blue Heron
Spring and summer
Spring migration brings warblers, thrushes, and flycatchers. Sarasota Audubon says to look for Connecticut Warbler in late spring.
Where to park
Park at Overlook Park on the west side of Gulf of Mexico Dr, at the south end of Longboat Key. The trail starts at the south end of that lot; walk under the New Pass bridge into the preserve. There are 4 to 6 more spaces at 280 Gulf of Mexico Dr.
Trails and viewing spots
- Main trail along the New Pass shoreline, about half a mile to the Sarasota Bay Lookout Point: migrants in the trees, waders and shorebirds on the flats.
- Tidal lagoons: Snowy Egret, White Ibis, Great Blue Heron, and Osprey, per the Town of Longboat Key.
- Narrow path to the right after the Lookout boardwalk: shoreline, mangrove fringe, and small beaches. It can be rough.
Tips
- No pets are allowed.
- There are no restrooms. The closest public ones are at Ken Thompson Park on City Island, about 5 minutes away.
- The trail is mostly open to the sun and wind, and parts are deep sand.
- Expect people fishing under the bridge at the entrance.
Accessibility
The main trail is accessible to most visitors, but parts are deeper sand. The Florida Birding Trail lists no accessible parking and no restrooms.
FAQ
Is Quick Point Nature Preserve good for birding?
Yes. More than 180 species have been reported, including waders, shorebirds, and migrant warblers.
Where do I park for Quick Point?
At Overlook Park on the west side of Gulf of Mexico Dr, then walk under the New Pass bridge into the preserve. A few more spaces are at 280 Gulf of Mexico Dr.
Is Quick Point free?
Yes.
Are dogs allowed at Quick Point?
No. Pets are not allowed.
Sources
Checked 2026-10-31. Hours, fees, and closures change, so confirm with the managing agency before you go.