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There is plenty to experience beyond the beach. Explore Bean Point, Anna Maria City Pier, Pine Avenue, Manatee Public Beach, Historic Bridge Street, Coquina Beach, Bayfront Park Beach and Leffis Key Preserve. Bike around the island, ride the free trolley, go kayaking, book a fishing or dolphin-watching charter, browse local shops and galleries, enjoy waterfront dining or simply find your favorite stretch of sand for a spectacular Gulf sunset.
Anna Maria Island includes three distinctive communities: Anna Maria on the north end, Holmes Beach in the center and Bradenton Beach to the south. Each offers its own beaches, restaurants, attractions and Anna Maria Island vacation rentals, from charming beach cottages and condos to waterfront homes and luxury rentals with private pools. Use this guide to discover the best things to do, places to eat, attractions and places to stay on Anna Maria Island.
One of the biggest decisions you'll make is which part of Anna Maria Island to call home during your vacation.
The island offers beach cottages, bungalows, condos, villas, resorts and private vacation homes. Its low-rise character is part of the appeal.
Choose Anna Maria, the north end, if you're looking for a quieter, more residential experience.
You'll be close to Bean Point, Pine Avenue, Bayfront Park and the Anna Maria City Pier. Vacation rentals here range from smaller beach cottages to luxury homes with pools and waterfront properties.
This area works especially well if your ideal vacation involves walking or biking to the beach and spending evenings around Pine Avenue.
Holmes Beach occupies the center of the island and provides convenient access north and south.
You'll be close to Manatee Public Beach, shops, restaurants and the trolley route. Holmes Beach also contains canals, making some properties particularly attractive for boating and kayaking.
Its central location makes Holmes Beach a practical choice for families and first-time Anna Maria Island visitors who plan to explore the entire island.
Bradenton Beach offers a livelier environment near Bridge Street, restaurants and the southern beaches.
This can be a particularly good location if you want to walk to dining and entertainment while still having easy beach access.
You're also close to Coquina Beach, Leffis Key and the bridge to historic Cortez.
Choose Anna Maria if you want quieter surroundings, Bean Point, Pine Avenue and Old Florida charm.
Choose Holmes Beach if you value a central location and convenient access to the entire island.
Choose Bradenton Beach if you want Bridge Street, restaurants, entertainment and easy access to Coquina Beach and Cortez.
The island is only about seven miles long, however, so staying in one community doesn't prevent you from experiencing the othersnespecially with the free trolley connecting the island.
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When you book directly with a local vacation rental manager, you can avoid unnecessary third-party booking fees while working directly with professionals who know Anna Maria Island and the vacation homes they manage. From choosing the right property to local recommendations and assistance during your stay, you have an experienced hospitality team right there in your vacation destination.
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Anna Maria Island is a year-round destination, but the experience changes with the seasons.
Winter and early spring generally bring comfortable temperatures and strong seasonal demand. Summer is hotter and more humid, with afternoon thunderstorms more common, but it's also a classic time for families planning beach vacations.
Fall can provide a quieter island experience, although Atlantic hurricane season officially extends from June 1 through November 30.
Whenever you visit, check current weather, beach conditions and local advisories before your trip.
You don't necessarily need to spend your vacation driving.
The free trolley is one of the easiest ways to move between the island's communities, while bicycles and walking work particularly well for shorter trips.
If you're staying near Pine Avenue, Bridge Street or one of the island's business districts, you may find that your car spends much of the vacation parked.
That's part of the appeal.
Slow down, take the trolley, ride a bike and experience the island at the pace that makes Anna Maria Island special.
Anna Maria Island doesn't need skyscrapers, giant resorts or an endless collection of manufactured attractions.
The island itself is the attraction.
Wake up and walk to the beach.
Ride your bike to breakfast.
Spend the morning kayaking.
Browse Pine Avenue.
Fish from the pier.
Take the trolley to Bridge Street.
Have fresh seafood beside the water.
Watch dolphins from a boat.
Explore Cortez.
And then find your favorite stretch of sand before sunset.
That's the rhythm of an Anna Maria Island vacation.
Its combination of beautiful Gulf beaches, locally owned restaurants, outdoor recreation, wildlife, vacation homes and three distinctive island communities creates a Florida beach experience that still feels personal.
And once you've settled into your Anna Maria Island vacation rental, you may discover that one of the best things to do is the simplest:
Slow down and enjoy being on the island.
Are you in for some fun water activities and adventure? Think no more! Head straight to the Bradenton Beach Marina. They have all the watersports activities you can think of. Do you want to spend your next 90 minutes riding Anna Maria’s paddle whale steamboat? How about a dolphin tour? Do you want to ride a jetski or motorized boat like a pontoon? Maybe you want to go parasailing. Name it. Bradenton Beach Marina has it all. They also have paddle boats and kayaks to rent. If you want to do the land tour instead, they also have segways.
The Bradenton Beach Marina is perfect for both boating adventures and relaxing getaways. The marina offers ample parking, scenic views, and easy access by car or boat. Enjoy a full-service fuel dock, modern restrooms, and a well-stocked ship's store. Rent speedboats or pontoons, or join a sunset cruise for breathtaking views. Fishing charters provide everything you need for a day on the water. Don't miss the nearby charming Historic Bridge Street and vibrant Coquina Beach Park. Discover more about the unique experiences that make this marina a must-visit destination.
Shop till you drop at Anna Maria Island Coquina Beach Market! You’ll find tons of foods, local dishes, fresh produce and a lot of goods an average tourist could imagine. If you want to bring home something that will give you that Floridian feel, there are a lot of unique arts and crafts by local artists and vendors to choose from.
Unfortunately, it is only open twice a week. It is open Sunday and Wednesday from December to March and Wednesday and Friday from April to July. In November, it is only open on Sundays. Please note that dogs are not allowed on Anna Maria Island Coquina Beach Market.
Nestled in the heart of Bradenton, Florida, and perfectly located near Anna Maria Island, the Robinson Preserve is a hidden gem for those seeking a tranquil escape into nature. Spanning over 487 acres, this stunning preserve offers a diverse range of ecosystems, including marshland, mangroves, and densely forested areas. Trails, kayak launches and a 53 foot observation tower!
Whether you're a birdwatcher, a hiker, kayaker, or simply someone looking for some peace and quiet, Robinson Preserve promises an unforgettable experience. As you traverse the well-maintained trails, you'll be welcomed by an ever-changing landscape that presents an opportunity to witness the enchanting beauty of Florida's flora and fauna up close.
You'll find Bean Point Beach at the northern tip of Anna Maria Island, where soft white sands meet gentle sea breezes. Parking is a bit limited, but the short walk through picturesque paths is worth it. This tranquil spot is perfect for sunbathing, shell collecting, and birdwatching, amid lush native plants. It's a photographer's dream, especially during the golden hours. Fall and spring are ideal for fewer crowds and vibrant nature. Nearby amenities include delightful restaurants and convenient facilities. If you want to uncover more hidden gems and tips, keep exploring.
Bean Point Beach was named after its first permanent resident, George Emerson Bean. Located at the northern end of Anna Maria Island, this unspoiled beach is perfect for people who want to escape the crowd. Not so many tourists are visiting this area making it relatively untouched.
The beach is an incredible location for walking or birdwatching as you can see native species and migrating varieties of birds. It also offers a view of the sunshine skyway bridge and the Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge.
Your AMI tour will not be complete without the ‘Old Florida’ feel at the Historic Bridge Street Pier. This wooden bridge was built in 1922 originally as access to Cortez Beach. But in the late 1960s, the drawbridge was built which ended the use of the wooden bridge. It was then converted into a pier to encourage visitors and foster a sense of community on the island.
In 2012, this wooden bridge was hit by Hurricane Sandy which affected local businesses. The pier was opened again on the year 2015 after a year of reconstruction and is now bustling with tourists. It is worth spending a few hours walking on the bridge street pier and enjoying the beautiful scenery. This historic bridge will give you that “old Florida” feel.
Located on the east side of Coquina Beach, Leffis Key Preserve offers a beautiful panoramic view of the bay. Leffis Key Preserve (2350 Gulf Dr. S., Bradenton Beach) is a 40-acre sanctuary with boardwalks through mangroves, free, quiet, and prime for birdwatching (bring binoculars for roseate spoonbills). Enjoy nature and walk through the mangroves of Leffis Key Preserve, it has 1,500 feet of boardwalks. The 26-foot high man-made hill which is one feature that every visitor love allows you to see the amazing 360-degree view of the Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
What are the other things to do in Leffis Key Preserve? You can also partake in their environmental education, managed fishing and wildlife viewing. You can also explore the outside of Leffis Key by riding on a kayak and get a different view of this park which is amazing.
The Artists Guild Gallery of Anna Maria Island in Holmes Beach, FL, is an essential hub for the local arts scene. Since the early 1990s, it's offered an inclusive environment that nurtures creativity and collaboration. The gallery showcases a rotating array of artists, ensuring fresh experiences with every visit. Meticulously curated exhibitions and lively opening receptions create dynamic cultural interactions. Workshops are structured yet flexible, enhancing artistic skills under expert guidance. Membership provides meaningful networking and professional growth opportunities. Additionally, a diverse range of items in the gallery store celebrates local artistry. To discover more about its impact and future plans, keep exploring.
Located at 402 Pine Avenue in the town of Anna Maria on the island. The museum and park has the museum and gift shop, the old city jail, belle haven cottage, and the mangrove walk. All a short and easy walking distance of each other.
Historic Pine Avenue is a recently restored downtown area featuring cottages dating to the early 1900s and many shops and restaurants. Food, drinks, and places to cool off in the summer are readily available and in short walking distance from the museum. The museum offers free entry (donations welcome) to exhibits on Native Timucuan tribes and 1920s settlers, open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit the Anna Maria Island Historic Society for more information.
You will never go hungry on Anna Maria Island as there are a lot of dining and drinking options to choose from. You can best describe the culinary scene as Fresh, Local, and Unforgettable! AMI’s food scene is a love letter to Gulf seafood, southern comfort, and beachside ease, no chains allowed. Seafood dominates, but variety abounds. Here are some at the top of our list:
Florida is surrounded by numerous islands on all sides. But there is something about Anna Maria Island that makes it one of the best. Anna Maria Island has something to offer everyone. Anna Maria Island’s allure lies in its simplicity and natural splendor, offering activities that range from serene to adventurous. Start with the beaches, the island’s crown jewels.
On Anna Maria Island, relaxation is a must and no car is required. A free island trolley is available for transportation all over the island so it's visitors can find true rest, as well as all the best that the island has to offer! Anna Maria is a place where islanders take serious enjoyment in roof-top sunsets and morning strolls for shells along the beach. The island has way more than a handfull of appetite satisfying bistros, pubs, cafes and ice cream shops to make eating out on vacation fun and exciting. Anna Maria Island has six beaches, Anna Maria Beach, Bradenton Beach, Coquina Beach, Cortez Beach, Manatee Beach, and Holmes Beach.
The area offers quaint beach shops and outlet malls for those travellers who must shop til they drop! In fact, the shopping options are unending with the cities of Sarasota and Tampa Bay between 30 and 60 minutes away. Spend a day at Disney World, Busch Gardens, Mote Marine, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Museums, botanical gardens, or state parks. Sports fans will love the peace and relaxation of the island coupled with the convenience of being within reach of watching their favorite sports teams play live from the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Fields in Bradenton to baseball s legendary Pirates, Red Sox, Tampa Devil Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lighting.
The local area offers close to 50 golf courses - from executive par threes to challenging championship 18 hole courses. Last but not least, the outdoor enthusiast can take advantage of the many adventures of Anna Maria-biking, boating, parasailing, up close deep sea fishing experiences and much more.
5 Reasons to Visit Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is a barrier island with seven miles of tourquois water and sandy beach paradise. Anna Maria Island located between Tampa and Sarasota, Florida and bordered on the west by the Gulf of Mexico and on the north by Tampa Bay. Anna Maria Island was first dicovered by the Timucan and Caloosan American Indian tribes and then later by Spanish explorers in the name of the Spanish crown.
George Emerson Bean became the first permanent resident on the Island in 1892. Emerson homesteaded much of what the City of Anna Maria is today. The developement of the Island's Anna Maria Beach Company began in the early 1900's laying out the streets, sidewalks, houses and water systems. For years, the only way to the island was by boat. In 1921 a wooden bridge was built. The western end of the original bridge can been seen at the Bradenton Beach fishing pier. The island goverment of Anna Maria takes great pride in preserving and caring for the history and developement of their "Island in the Sun."
Come see why Anna Maria Island has been found to be a hidden gem and plan to have a vacation to remember! For more information, visit the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.
Anna Maria Island has a lot to offer to its visitors. Whether you want to relax and enjoy this Floridian white sand paradise or have some thrilling water activities and adventure, AMI will not fail to satisfy your cravings. The fresh seafood and dishes are a plus too. Make sure to dine in the locals’ favorite restaurants.
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