Grand Bay On Longboat Key: Towers, Views, And Floor Plans

If you are looking at Grand Bay on Longboat Key, one question matters more than almost anything else: Which building and floor actually fit the way you want to live? This is not a one-size-fits-all condo community, and that is exactly why many buyers find it so appealing. When you understand the towers, view lines, and floor plan differences, you can shop more confidently and avoid lumping very different residences into one category. Let’s take a closer look.

Grand Bay basics

Grand Bay is a gated, bayfront condominium community within Bay Isles on Longboat Key. According to Bay Isles, the community includes 272 condominiums across six buildings, with residences ranging from about 1,200 to 2,700 square feet, plus larger penthouses.

The community also offers on-site management, 24/7 access control, two heated pools, two spas, a fitness center, and two tennis courts. Bay Isles notes that each residence includes a patio with Sarasota Bay and-or downtown views, which helps explain why outdoor living is such a big part of the appeal here.

Grand Bay also benefits from its Bay Isles setting. Bay Isles describes the broader area as a 19-neighborhood master community on Longboat Key, with everyday services like Publix, banks, restaurants, and the post office located near the north gate.

Bay Isles amenities vs club access

This is an important distinction for buyers. Grand Bay owners have access to the Bay Isles Beach Club, which Bay Isles says includes an attendant, covered entertaining area, restrooms, changing rooms, picnic tables, barbecue grills, a volleyball court, and storage bins.

That said, Beach Club access is different from Longboat Key Club membership. Bay Isles identifies golf, tennis, and certain club dining uses as part of a separate private membership parcel, so you should verify any Longboat Key Club privileges directly through the applicable association or membership rules rather than assume they are included.

Grand Bay towers by address

One of the easiest ways to understand Grand Bay is to break it down building by building. Public listing data ties each tower to its own address and association:

• Grand Bay I: 3060 Grand Bay Blvd
• Grand Bay II: 3040 Grand Bay Blvd
• Grand Bay III: 3030 Grand Bay Blvd
• Grand Bay IV: 3010 Grand Bay Blvd
• Grand Bay V: 3080 Grand Bay Blvd
• Grand Bay VI: 3070 Grand Bay Blvd

The six buildings were built between 1994 and 1999. In practical terms, Grand Bay feels more like a collection of related bayfront products than a single uniform tower community.

How the buildings differ

The biggest difference is not just age. It is product type. Some buildings tend to feature smaller two-bedroom layouts, while others are more closely associated with larger three-bedroom and den residences, private elevator plans, and penthouse offerings.

Buildings I through IV are generally the taller structures, with listing data showing 10 to 11 stories in several of those towers. Buildings V and VI are typically shown as five-story buildings, and they often appear in searches for smaller residences with efficient layouts and strong outdoor space.

Smaller Grand Bay floor plans

If you want a more manageable footprint, Grand Bay has several layouts that often serve as the entry point into the community. These residences can be especially appealing if you want a lock-and-leave property, less interior upkeep, and access to Bay Isles amenities without paying for space you may not use often.

Capri plan

Current examples in Grand Bay V show the Capri as a two-bedroom, two-bath layout of about 1,413 square feet. Listing descriptions point to two terraces and both east and west exposure, which can be attractive if you value changing light throughout the day.

Aruba and Bimini plans

In Grand Bay VI, current examples include the Aruba and Bimini plans at roughly 1,270 to 1,371 square feet. These layouts are often described with wraparound terraces and bay-facing living areas, which can make them feel larger than the square footage alone suggests.

Biscayne in smaller-format settings

Some Biscayne examples also show up in the community mix. A current example in Grand Bay I is described as a two-bedroom plus den corner residence with floor-to-ceiling glass and open views, showing that not every smaller residence feels basic or narrow.

Larger Grand Bay floor plans

If you plan to live in Grand Bay full time, host guests regularly, or want a more substantial waterfront residence, the larger plans deserve close attention. This is where the community starts to offer more separation between living spaces, broader terraces, and in many cases more dramatic view combinations.

Cayman plan

The Cayman layout appears repeatedly in current listings, especially in Buildings II, III, and IV. These homes often trade in the 2,250 to 2,550 square-foot range, with some examples highlighting multiple terraces and broad exposures that may include bay, golf course, skyline, marina, and partial Gulf views.

Antigua plan

Grand Bay II listings also show larger Antigua-style residences, with examples around 2,550 to 2,925 square feet. These homes are often described with private elevators and a layout that works well for owners who want guest privacy or a den for office use.

Penthouse residences

At the top end, Grand Bay includes significantly larger penthouses. Public listing data for Grand Bay IV references penthouse residences up to 4,413 square feet, and current top-tier offerings show how much the experience can change when you move into the largest homes.

What changes by floor and orientation

A common mistake is to focus only on the tower name. At Grand Bay, the better question is usually: What does this specific stack, floor, and terrace orientation give you?

Bay Isles states that residences feature Sarasota Bay and-or downtown views, but current listing descriptions show that actual view corridors may include Sarasota Bay, the golf course, the marina, the city skyline, and in some cases partial Gulf views. That means two homes in the same building can offer a very different experience.

Lower and middle floors

Lower and middle floors often emphasize bay-and-golf combinations. These can still be beautiful views, especially if you enjoy greenery layered with water and want a strong sense of place without necessarily needing the broadest skyline sweep.

Higher floors and corner residences

Higher floors and corner units often expand the view experience. Depending on the building and orientation, they may add downtown Sarasota, the marina, or a slice of the Gulf, along with wider sunrise-to-sunset sightlines.

Terrace orientation matters

Orientation can be just as important as elevation. One Grand Bay IV Cayman listing describes north-south exposure with sunrise over Sarasota Bay and Gulf sunsets from two terraces, while a Building VI Bimini listing emphasizes sunrise and sunset views from a nearly 400-square-foot wraparound terrace.

At the penthouse level, the difference can become even more dramatic. A current Grand Bay III penthouse listing describes a 270-degree panorama spanning Sarasota Bay, the golf course, the skyline, the marina, the Gulf of Mexico, and the beach area on Longboat Key.

Price positioning by residence type

Grand Bay offers a fairly wide spread depending on size and placement. Recent examples in the smaller-plan category include a 1,371-square-foot Bimini that sold for $629,950 in March 2026, a 1,413-square-foot Capri listed at $895,000, and an Aruba sale at $870,000 in 2024.

Mid-size and larger residences move into a different bracket. Current examples show homes around 2,143 to 2,550 square feet priced from the low $1 millions into the mid-$1 millions, while some 2,925-square-foot layouts are listed above $2 million.

The top of the market is reserved for the largest residences and penthouses. Current listings include 2,925-square-foot homes around $1.5 million to $2.1 million, along with a 4,413-square-foot penthouse asking $7.999 million.

How to choose the right Grand Bay residence

For most buyers, the best fit comes down to lifestyle first and building name second. Square footage, guest needs, work-from-home plans, terrace use, and view preference usually matter more than simply choosing the newest or tallest tower.

Here are a few useful ways to narrow your search:

• Choose smaller plans if you want seasonal use, simpler maintenance, and a more efficient footprint.
• Choose mid-size plans if you want a true full-time residence with guest space or a den.
• Choose larger plans or penthouses if entertaining, broad terraces, and panoramic views are top priorities.
• Compare the same floor plan across towers when possible, since stack position and exposure can meaningfully change the experience.
• Look beyond square footage and study terrace size, corner placement, and sightlines from the main living areas.

In a community like Grand Bay, details matter. The right purchase is often the one that lines up best with how you plan to spend your time on Longboat Key.

If you want help comparing Grand Bay towers, floor plans, or current opportunities on Longboat Key, Judy Kepecz-Hays offers the local perspective and waterfront market knowledge to help you make a smart, well-informed decision.

FAQs

What is Grand Bay on Longboat Key?

• Grand Bay is a gated bayfront condominium community within Bay Isles on Longboat Key, with 272 residences in six buildings and a mix of smaller condos, larger residences, and penthouses.

What amenities come with Grand Bay in Bay Isles?

• Bay Isles says Grand Bay includes on-site management, 24-7 access control, two heated pools, two spas, a fitness center, two tennis courts, and access to the Bay Isles Beach Club.

Which Grand Bay buildings have smaller floor plans?

• Current listing examples suggest Buildings V and VI are common places to find smaller plans like Capri, Aruba, and Bimini, though floor plan availability can vary over time.

Which Grand Bay buildings have larger residences?

• Current listings indicate Buildings II, III, and IV often feature larger Cayman and Antigua-style residences, along with some of the community’s penthouse offerings.

What kinds of views do Grand Bay condos have?

• Depending on the building, floor, and orientation, Grand Bay residences may have views of Sarasota Bay, the golf course, the marina, downtown Sarasota, and in some cases partial Gulf views.

Does Grand Bay include Longboat Key Club golf or tennis membership?

• Bay Isles identifies Beach Club access as a residential benefit, but golf and certain tennis or club privileges should be verified separately because they are tied to private membership arrangements rather than assumed community access.