LOCAL FAVORITES. LASTING IMPACT. THREE LONGBOAT RESTAURANTS BAND TOGETHER FOR TURTLE WATCH

As sea turtle nesting season kicks off along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Longboat Key is doing something it does best: bringing the community together. Three of the island’s most beloved restaurants are partnering for the Longboat Key Turtle Crawl, a festive culinary event benefiting Longboat Key Turtle Watch. The event takes place on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The evening invites guests to experience a laid-back outdoor stroll from one iconic LBK restaurant to the next — Harry’s Continental Kitchens, The Lazy Lobster, and Lo’ Key Island Grille. At each stop, guests enjoy a specially curated small plate paired with a glass of wine or a cocktail, spending approximately 30 minutes soaking in the atmosphere before moving on to the next destination.

Tickets are $100 per person (plus tax and processing fees), with proceeds benefiting Longboat Key Turtle Watch. Additional fundraising includes business sponsorships and a raffle featuring gift certificates and experiences from local hotels, restaurants, and businesses across the Gulf Coast community.

“This event is a celebration of the community and the coastline that makes Longboat Key so special,” said Renee Dillon of Longboat Key Turtle Watch. “We’ve been walking these beaches since 1969, protecting nests and watching turtles hatch. We’re grateful to these incredible restaurants and everyone who shows up for us — this is what LBK is all about.”

Longboat Key Turtle Watch has been protecting sea turtles on Longboat Key’s beaches since 1969 — making it one of the oldest continuously active sea turtle conservation groups in the state of Florida. The not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization is permitted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission under Mote Marine Laboratory to monitor sea turtle nesting and hatching on the Manatee County portion of Longboat Key. Over the decades, the group has helped establish local fire and lighting ordinances to protect nesting sites and contributed to sea turtle conservation legislation at the state level.

Tickets for the Longboat Key Turtle Crawl are on sale now at lbkturtlecrawl.com. The event is proudly presented by Brista Homes + Realty. Sponsorship opportunities are available for local businesses; contact turtlecrawl@ryderwild.com or visit the event website for more information.