Anna Maria Island
Paradise Island in the Sun...
From the moment you step foot atop the powder white sand beaches of Anna Maria Island, you will know you have arrived at a vacation destination like no other.
What ever your passion, Anna Maria Island and its surrounding area has an attraction, activity or adventure for you.
Located on Florida's Gulf coast just 40 miles south of Tampa Bay and 7 miles west of Bradenton Florida, Anna Maria Island is the northern most of a string of barrier islands that stretch along the coast in a southerly direction.
Anna Maria Island isn't a place where you go to the beach. When you are on Anna Maria Island you are at the beach. A perfect setting for a true tropical paradise.
The sugar white sand beaches and crystal blue waters extend the entire length of the islands seven mile coast line, and the island is rimmed with towering Australian pines, some as high as 60 feet, magnificent palms, sea oats swaying in the Gulf breeze and abundant bird life that soar against the bright blue skies.
The Island in the Sun
Affectionately known as "The Island in the Sun", Anna Maria Island is Florida's best kept secret.
With Gulf temperatures averaging 84 degrees and 361 days of sunshine per year the surrounding waters of Anna Maria Island are known as the nursery because of the large number of dolphins that raise their young here.
It is a common experience to see the dolphins enjoying their tropical ocean playground, when walking or dining on Anna Maria Island’s four gorgeous beaches or its surrounding coast line.
Check out Anna Maria Island's current weather conditions for yourself.
A car is not necessary when vacationing on Anna Maria Island. This island paradise offers free trolley service for both tourists and residents. You can park your car for your entire vacation. The trolley tours the island from 6:00 am - 10:30 pm and runs every 20-30 minutes for your convenience.
Oh, and did we mention that the trolley's are FREE!
Completely surrounded by four tropical bodies of water, Anna Maria Island is accessible by two drawbridges from the mainland and one from Longboat Key where you will discover Sarasota.
This tropical island paradise offers you seven miles of the most beautiful and peaceful white sand found anywhere in the world.
Places to Visit
Anna Maria Island comprises three very unique cities (villages), Bradenton Beach on the southern tip of the island, Holmes Beach in the middle, and Anna Maria on the northern tip.
Simply follow the links above to visit these communities websites and learn more.
Anna Maria Island History
Visit the Anna Maria Island Historical Society for a look at this island paradise in its original form ,when it was discovered by local Indian tribes the Timucuan and Caloosan American Indian tribes and then by Spanish explorers (including Hernando DeSoto) in the name of the Spanish Crown.
Explore The Island
Take a boat tour around the entire island on the Mahina La, a parasail ride above the island with Fun & Sun Parasail. Or you can take a free trolley ride through the island, rent a bicycle, scooter, boat, jet ski, or just enjoy a lazy day on the gulf on Captain Kathe's Cortez Charter.
Experience the Anna Maria Island Beaches and Sunsets
Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, Anna Maria Island provides some of the most incredibly spectacular beaches and sunsets. Walk the soft sand and wide expanses that are perfect for beach combing. Experience the tall, wispy sea oats along the shoreline as they gently sway with the warm Gulf breezes.
Anna Maria Bayfront Park features more than 1,000 feet of sandy beach that overlooks the waters of Tampa Bay on the northern tip of this quaint island. An abundance of parking, restrooms, showers, picnic shelters and a view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge make this a family favorite.
Anna Maria Beach is a quiet, undeveloped sandy Gulf beach that offers more than three acres of beautiful views and the soft sound of waves lapping at the shore. It’s a quiet and secluded beach that’s great if you are searching for some privacy.
Further south you’ll find Holmes Beach. Located at the center of Anna Maria Island, it features a full range of amenities including grills, a playground, showers and a picnic area, as well as, plenty of wide, sandy beach. This is a surfer’s paradise when the waves are high.
Manatee County Beach features 900 feet of sandy beach on the Gulf of Mexico.
Cortez Beach showcases 140 feet of undeveloped beach. It has free parking, lifeguards on duty, restrooms, picnic tables and showers.
Coquina Beach located on the island’s southern tip is a popular public beach lined with towering Australian pines. A full-service concession stand, ample parking, barbecue pits, picnic facilities, a boat ramp, a playground, restrooms, showers and lifeguards make this beach a popular, bustling beach.
The Village of the Arts
The Village of the Arts is located in downtown Bradenton at 12th Street and 11th Avenue where artisans live, work and sell from their studios is the new crown jewel of the downtown.
The ArtCenter Manatee
Also in Bradenton is ArtCenter Manatee offering gallery exhibitions, art classes for adults and children as well as lectures and workshops.
Island Gallery West
Island Gallery West is in Holmes Beach on the island and offers free demonstrations during season.
Market Place
An open-air farmer's market is held along the historic cobblestone Main Street of Bradenton, and the Red Barn Flea Market & Plaza, one of Florida's most unique shopping experiences, featuring more than 600 retail stores and flea market style booths.
Special Events
There are regular Bridge Street special events in Bradenton Beach such as "Movie Night", "Mardi Gras", Art Shows, Car Shows, etc. - It's a fun place to be. You can pamper yourself at a day spa as well as enjoy fine dining and nightly entertainment.
Coquina Beach
Flanking Bridge Street, in Bradenton Beach, is Coquina Beach; a 96- acre Australian pine shaded oasis of beauty. Toward the southern most point, on the bay side, are sandy paths lined with lush foliage leading to Sarasota Bay for viewing many species of water and shore birds.
Island Attractions
Visit Mote Marine Laboratories, where you will come face to face with live sharks in a 135,000 gallon shark tank and learn about marine life.
Then there is the Island Players live theatre, the nearby South Florida Museum and aquarium, Ringling Museum of Art, Selby Gardens, Jungle Gardens, DeSoto National Park or the Manatee Players, the Asolo Center for the Performing Arts and many other venues.
Anna Maria Island and its neighboring cities offer plenty of mind-bending fun and intellectual stimulation. Visit the G-wiz science museum, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the Sarasota West Coast Symphony, Tampa’s Florida Aquarium and the renowned Dali Museum in nearby St. Petersburg.
Come enjoy Anna Maria Island's many attractions, and you will soon see why it's the number one vacation destination in America today!
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