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About the Island
Anna Maria Island…it’s so much more than just the gorgeous white sand beaches and crystal-clear Gulf waters that edge our shores. When out with my mother today for our regular morning walk, we saw two manatees playing in a canal, 5 green parrots
 on a telephone line, ripe mangoes hanging heavily from a neighbor’s tree, a red-tailed hawk with its freshly captured breakfast, an enormous osprey perched in an Australian Pine, and a sign that read, “Watch Out for Falling Coconuts.” What a marvelous place to live! As much as those gorgeous beaches continue to take my breath away, there’s so much more to delight on this long, skinny island floating between the Gulf of Mexico and the mouth of Tampa Bay.
Over seven and a half miles long, but less than a mile wide at its broadest point, the Island of Anna Maria is comprised of three individually-chartered cities, each with its own unique personality. The southernmost is Bradenton Beach, which begins at Longboat Pass, and ends by the cutest little bayfront mobile home park, originally built for members of the Ringling Brothers Circus in the days when that company’s animal and human performers spent their winters here in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. In between lie a myriad of delights, including Coquina Beach, with a terrific walking path winding its way through the Australian Pines, Leffis Key, where you can explore the mangroves on a twisting boardwalk, lively Bridge Street and the Bradenton Beach City Pier, the site of the first bridge connecting Anna Maria Island to the mainland, and a hodge-podge collection of tiny historic beach houses, condos, and newer, fancier digs. Yummy restaurants, cute shops, and even some hotels cover this tiny spit of land, so narrow that when you cross the Cortez Bridge onto the island, you can’t believe everything hasn’t fallen into the sea!
Heading north, you’ll reach Holmes Beach, the second of the three island communities, arguably the “hub” of activity hereabouts, and home to four of the five traffic lights on the island! The beaches here are big and wide and gorgeous, and there’s every kind of property to be had, from beautiful Gulf-front condos to single-family homes nestled along mangrove-lined canals. The city provides a bevy of fun options for every member of the family, all free of charge…launch your boat from the public boat ramp close to City Hall, check out a good book from the Island Branch Library, send the kids to the skateboard park while you play tennis on the City courts, or take your four-legged friends for playtime with their canine counterparts at the dog run. Deep water canals here connect with Bimini Bay, which in turn leads out to the vast waters of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico beyond. Key Royale, on the northeast side of Holmes Beach, is home to a popular nine-hole golf course and lots of lovely canal-front properties. And if you like to shop and eat, Holmes Beach boasts some terrific restaurants and boutiques.
Some people have so much fun in the first two communities that they never make it all the way to the northernmost portion of the Island, but they’re missing a big treat! Once you pass 85th Street in Holmes Beach, you’ve entered the village of Anna Maria, which lots of people would claim as their very favorite part of the island. Things are quiet up here, with the promise of lazy days filled with sunshine and sand and flip flops and wet bathing suits and fishing and eating! Two historic piers reach out into Tampa Bay, the two-story Rod & Reel Pier near Bean Point, and the Historic Anna Maria City Pier at the end of Pine Avenue. Bring your fishing pole and sunscreen and be prepared for fun! Explore the warren of streets at the north end either by bicycle or on foot.
You’ll find lots of shops and restaurants, plus the Anna Maria Historic Society Museum and the Island Players Theater on Pine Avenue, a half-mile street that stretches from the Gulf beaches at The Sand Bar Restaurant to the Bay at the City Pier.
 Regardless of what part of the island you prefer, everyone’s favorite destination is those gorgeous beaches! Where else can you find seven and a half uninterrupted miles of white sand and crystal-clear water, open to anyone who wants to feel the sand between their toes? And speaking of sand, ours is firm enough for long walks on the beach. Start at whatever access point is closer to home for you, walk as far as you want, and then hop on the free Island Trolley for the return trip. If you make the Manatee Public Beach your destination, you can grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner on the beach and then ride the trolley home. You can wear your bathing suit in the Café on the Beach and on the trolley, but be sure to bring your flip-flops for the ride back!
The litany of things we love about this island is endless: The only two tall buildings stop at six stories, and we’ll never make that mistake again! Our “main” streets are only two-lanes wide, and the speed limit never exceeds 35 miles per hour. You don’t need anything fancier than flip flops, your bathing suit, and a cover up. The sunrises over the Bay are spectacular, the sunsets over the Gulf even more so. And whether you’re thinking about making Anna Maria Island your home someday, or you just want a wonderful vacation, our friendly, professional sales and vacation rental staff are here to help you find the perfect tropical hideaway!
Things to See & Do on Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island Restaurants
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