Our favorite things to do in Anna Maria Island include savoring scintillating sunsets, taking pleasure in the cleanest and whitest beach sand on the planet, and consuming remarkable grouper tacos with your toes in stated sand.
Anna Maria Island Florida is my preferred beach. There I said it. I got that out of the way.
stunning Anna Maria Island beach 31 Cool Things To Do in Anna Maria Island Florida Anna Maria Island beach IS, however, my preferred beach. Preferred or finest beach is a subjective designation and I really hope your preferred beach is different than mine. Definitely, Anna Maria Island beach may not be my favorite beach permanently or perhaps at the end of this year.
Our Anna Maria Island travel guide is based on experiences from numerous Anna Maria Island journeys including one when Bradenton Gulf Islands tourism hosted me.
Getting to Anna Maria Island FL
Anna Maria Island has to do with a 25 minute drive from Sarasota airport (SRQ) and 75 minutes from Tampa airport (TPA). A visit to Anna Maria Island is a wonderful Tampa field trip or longer field trip from Orlando.
Check smaller sized airline companies for continuously flights into SRQ– like Allegiant (from Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh) and Elite Airways (from Portland Maine, White Plains New York, and Pittsburgh). Here is a convenient and beneficial resource list of continuously locations from SRQ airport.
Three unique towns comprise Anna Maria Island(AMI): House Beach, Anna Maria, and Bradenton Beach.
McCool Travel idea: Navigating Anna Maria Island is simple peasy lemon squeezy on the Island Trolley. With 35 stops, there is one within a block of any place you stay and want to go. An Anna Maria Island Trolley passes each stop every 20 minutes till 9pm and 30 minutes from 9pm to 10:30 pm.
This is especially convenient for individuals preferring a carless holiday. Fly into Sarasota Airport, take a taxi, Uber/Lyft, or shuttle 30 minutes to AMI and then relax during your weeklong Anna Maria Island trip.
Anna Maria Island Activities
Best Things to Do in Anna Maria Island: Sundowns on Anna Maria Island Beach
See also Best Places to Enjoy Anna Maria Island Sunsets.
Anna Maria Island has the loveliest soft sugar white sand which can be found the whole time Florida’s gulf coast. The sand is cool even on scorching hot days. So great! Recommended places to see glorious Anna Maria Island sundowns include near the 65th Street entrance, Manatee Public Beach (directly throughout from the main bridge entryway to Anna Maria Island), however actually any beach will do.
The amazing US Gulf Coast sunsets are among the very best image nature spots in Florida.
Anna Maria Island sunset Head to Bean Point, at the top of Anna Maria Island(north end) for larger beaches, dune, but also breezier winds and multi-directional currents (mindful when swimming). In addition to unblocked sunset views over the Gulf of Mexico, you can see Edgmont Secret straight north and the stunning Sunshine Skyway Bridge to the northeast.
McCool Travel tip: Turn left (south) when driving onto Anna Maria Island from the Manatee Avenue bridge and in less than one mile discover a parking spot actions from the sand of Coquina Beach. Besides Coastal Mississippi, this is one of the most practical and complimentary locations to go to the beach along the entire United States Gulf Coast. This is among my preferred Coastal Scenic Drives in the entire United States.
Early Morning Beach Strolls on Anna Maria Island
While sunsets are for socializing with rum beverages– oohing and aahing at the vibrant sky show– beach early mornings are for early day activity. Daybreak is a great time to say hey there to short-term next-door neighbors and commiserate about the people “back home” suffering through another harsh winter.
Anna Maria Island Fishing Excursions
Egmont Key Adventures is conveniently situated throughout the street from the Waterline Marina in the center of the Anna Maria Island commercial district. Egmont provides offshore, nearshore, and inshore excursions. Captain Harrison took us on a half day experience and we captured plenty of snook, pesky needlefish, redfish, and a trout or more.
Egmont Secret Adventures fishing adventure is among the fantastic things to do in Anna Maria Island McCool Travel idea: schedule take-out sandwiches, fantastic sweet treats, drinks, and sides from Scott’s Deli.
Anna Maria Island Piers
Two Anna Maria Island piers use much various experiences. Both piers are complimentary to stroll or fish from and free parking is nearby.
The historical Anna Maria City Pier is on the upper, northeast terminus of Pine Avenue. A present shop and snack bar lie in the structure at the end and the views of the Sunlight Skyway and Tampa Bay are extraordinary.
The historical Bradenton Beach City Pier (aka Bridge Street Pier) has a lot more activity and commerce leading into it. Exceptional views here of the Cortez fishing town, Sarasota Bay, and Sarasota. Anna Maria Oyster Bar is a great restaurant on the pier, for breakfast or fresh seafood later on in the day. The comfortable swings at the end of the pier are a terrific way to invest some down time.
Walkings Near Anna Maria Island
Besides strolling the seven miles of beautiful United States Gulf Coast beaches, on and between the piers, and in other places on the island, head east on Manatee Opportunity for some really great hiking spots.
Neal Preserve is a 120 acre wetland habitat with an observation tower. It is a fantastic spot for bird enjoying and sundowns.
Perico Preserve is another wetland habitat that is fantastic for bird spotting and escaping in nature. It includes a nice boardwalk and observation decks.
Robinson Preserve has 3 different sections. One is along the causeway (Manatee Opportunity) on the east side of Perico Bayou. The other two Robinson Protect areas can be accessed off 75th Street. The upper and biggest section (off 17th Ave) has a great observation tower. The other area (off 9th Ave) has an exceptional playground (The Nest), kayak storage, and outstanding hiking trails.
Look for moving wood storks in the winter season and eagles all year.
banyan tree at Robinson Preserve Bradenton Florida Anna Maria Island Events A great thing to do in Anna Maria Island in the winter season is attend the Bradenton Blues Celebration however there are numerous Florida Gulf Coast occasions year round. For a total and present list of Anna Maria Island and Bradenton area events, talk to See Bradenton tourism site. 
Bradenton Blues Festival is one of the most fun events near Anna Maria Island Anna Maria Island Farmers Market Going To the Anna Maria Island farmers market is among
my leading things to do in Anna Maria Island. The AMI farmers market is a wonderful method to support regional businesses while likewise getting fresh food or custom products. The little Anna Maria farmers market is at AMI City Pier Park every Tuesday from mid October through mid Might, from 8:30 am to 2pm.
There are typically numerous produce suppliers, one or two fresh guacamole stands, a seafood supplier (with seafood salads and chowders), the local turtle rescue organization, and a few craft booths (one local artist makes jellyfish planters out of seashells).
For fresh produce and food (eggs, etc), attempt Geraldson’s Family Farm just across the bridge from AMI in northwest Bradenton.
fresh veggies Geraldson’s Family Farm Bradenton For the best places to eat in Anna Maria Island, see my preferred Anna Maria Island Restaurants
. Flyboarding in Anna Maria Island
Flying above the water was among the coolest activities I have done. EVER! I felt like James Bond and Travis Pastrana at the very same time. LEADING GUN Flyboards helps you have one of the most enjoyable you can have with your clothing on.
McCool Travel note: regrettably TOP GUN Flyboards is no longer in service however contact activity desks for other Anna Maria Island experience activities. There are a couple of flyboard vendors in Fort Myers Beach: FMB Flyboard and Skyhigh.
Things to Do in Anna Maria Island: Where to Stay AMI
The holiday rental scene controls lodging on Anna Maria Island. That is a good idea due to the fact that, as you most likely understand, I think about vacation leasings a much better value than hotels– lower costs, more area, and better features.
Our Anna Maria Island vacation rental house was organized through Island Real Estate. They manage hundreds of AMI trip properties and the site has hassle-free search criteria– like gulf front, animal friendly, with pool, and specials.
Anna Maria Island leasings are likewise readily available from Airbnb, VRBO, and numerous regional rental agencies consisting of
- Mike Regular Real Estate
- Sato Property
- Anna Maria Vacations
- Anna Maria Island Lodgings
- AMI Locals
- Anna Maria Island Rentals
- Anna Maria Life Vacation Leasings
- Suncoast Holiday Rentals
Some Anna Maria Island hotels I wish to attempt include Waterline Marina Resort, Anna Maria Island Inn, Rod and Reel Resort, Anna Maria Beach Resort, Bali Hai, and Bungalow Beach Resort.
Right across the bridge and located on Anna Maria Noise is One Particular Harbour, a Margaritaville domestic principle. Likewise connected to this enjoyable Margaritaville location is a Compass Hotel for short term stays. Fins Up!
Future Things to Do in Anna Maria Island
The McCool Travel team has actually not been everywhere on AMI yet. If you know of any activity, shop, or location not discussed, let me understand.
McCool Travel perk: Beer Can Island is at the northern tip of Longboat Secret closest to Anna Maria Island, simply a 10 minute drive from Manatee Beach. It is a fun and an excellent Florida hidden gem. There you can swim with dolphins and manatees.
When you drive to Anna Maria Island from Tampa area, make sure to go to the fishing piers connected to Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It costs $3.20 (per automobile) to check out either Skyway State Fishing Pier (it is a Florida State Park).
BUT (McCoolTravel idea) you can go to both fishing piers within one hour, so do it! If you only have time to visit one, go to the north fishing pier (it is longer).
Sunlight Skyway Bridge from north Skyway State Fishing Pier Best Anna Maria
Island Restaurants Anna Maria Island restaurants serve the best Gulf seafood. I include two dozen favorite Anna Maria Island restaurants in my devoted post.
Field Trip From Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is a splendid Southwest Florida Gulf Coast island located midway between Tampa and Punta Gorda. Sarasota, Naples, Captiva Island, and Indian Rocks Beach are easy field trip from Anna Maria Island.
Anna Maria Island is a preferred Gulf Coast Spring Break Location for families.
Let me understand your preferred things to do in Anna Maria Island.
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