top of page
Anna Maria Island Home Rental Logo

Beaches of Anna Maria Island - Cont'd

Page 2
Insider's Guide to Best Beaches of Anna Maria Island, Florida

Beach Guide - Continued

 

 

There are six award-winning beaches on Anna Maria Island. 

 

One of the Top 10 islands in the USA by Tripadvisor

Top 30 Islands in the World by Conde Nast Traveler

Top 10 Island Beaches for Perfect Sand by Conde Nast Traveler

Voted in Dr. Beach's America's Best Beach List

Certified Blue Wave beach by the Concession Clean Beaches Coalition

 

 

Check out our  BEACH SAFETY TIPS HERE

 

Concerned about Red Tide? Click this link to get up to date data for Manatee & Coquina Beach  RED TIDE INFORMATION HERE

 

Bradenton Beach ~ The Insider's Guide to the BEST BEACHES on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Read about our favourite beaches for rentals, restaurants playgrounds, surfing, and lots more tips. Click the 'Read it' button for all the details
Bradenton Beach
Holmes Beach ~ The Insider's Guide to the BEST BEACHES on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Read about our favourite beaches for rentals, restaurants playgrounds, surfing, and lots more tips. Click the 'Read it' button for all the details
Holmes Beach
Bayfront Park, Anna Maria The Insider's Guide to the BEST BEACHES on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Read about our favourite beaches for rentals, restaurants playgrounds, surfing, and lots more tips. Click the 'Read it' button for all the details
Bayfront Park
Coquina Beach ~ The Insider's Guide to the BEST BEACHES on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Read about our favourite beaches for rentals, restaurants playgrounds, surfing, and lots more tips. Click the 'Read it' button for all the details
Coquina Beach
The Insider's Guide to the BEST BEACHES on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Read about our favourite beaches for rentals, restaurants playgrounds, surfing, and lots more tips. Click the 'Read it' button for all the details
Anna Maria
The Insider's Guide to the BEST BEACHES on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Read about our favourite beaches for rentals, restaurants playgrounds, surfing, and lots more tips. Click the 'Read it' button for all the details
Manatee Beach
Anna Maria Island 
Beach Access Map

Need information on Beach Access Points on Anna Maria Island? Click on our interactive beach access map to zoom in and find the best public beach access to the gorgeous sandy white beaches of Anna Maria Island!

Insider Tips

  • Parking ordinances are strictly enforced. Park in a designated parking spot with all tires off the street 

  • Drive slowly on Gulf Drive, pedestrian crosswalks are everywhere. It is required by law to stop and give right of way to pedestians

  • Each Public Beach Access is marked with a white "Public Beach Access" sign to guide you

  • Selected areas are restricted during sea turtle and shorebird migration and hatchling season

  • The months of May to October, are considered 'Turtle Season. All lights must be dimmed, beach toys/equipment removed and holes filled in. This avoids nesting turtles and their hatchlings from running into hazards

Vibrant Bradenton Beach ~ The Insider's Guide to the BEST BEACHES on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Read about our favourite beaches for rentals, restaurants playgrounds, surfing, and lots more tips. Click the 'Read it' button for all the details

Bradenton Beach

Anchor 4

Bradenton Beach Guide

Bradenton Beach is located in the small city of Bradenton Beach. This is a quiet, narrower beach that runs from 27th Street South to 4th Street South (below Bridge Street. This beach has very limited parking, one ADA (disability) parking area and public beach access is limited. It serves the island residents of Bradenton Beach and the visitors staying at the beachfront condos. Directly on Bradenton Beach you will find the restaurant called The Beach House and Gulf Drive Cafe, which has a huge tiki thatched pavilion where the local crowd gathers to watch the sunset. There are lots of boutique restaurants and shops on Gulf Drive South (east side of the street) that often overlooks the Gulf of Mexico.

 

Dive or snorkel the Regina shipwreck directly off of 7th Street North. The tanker sank in a storm March 5, 1940 offshore of Bradenton Beach carrying 300,000 gallons of molasses from Havana to New Orleans. It's coordinates are 27 28.135 ' N and 82 42.139' W. The site is 75 yards off the beach in 12 to 20 feet of water rising several feet off the sea floor. This site is frequented by divers and snorkelers because of it's easy shore access. Rich in sea life, the ship itself is broken with most of it's structure submerged in the sand. If you arrive by boat be aware of divers and snorkelers in the water from the site to the shoreline. It is best to avoid this area completely and look for the diver down floatation flags.

 

As mentioned above, this beach is best for the island vacationers staying in the condos and townhouses in Bradenton Beach as there is limited parking. This area also has good shelling for whelks, conch, coquinas, clams, angel wings, and much more.

Bradenton Beach Amenities
Bradenton  Beach Access 
Beach Access icon
Handicapped Disability Icon

  • 27th, 26th, 25th, 24th, 23rd, 22nd, 11th, 2nd Streets

  • Bridge Street

  • 3rd St South, 4th St South

  • Trolley Stop at Bridge Street and Bradenton Beach City Limit

 

  ADA Disabilities  Beach Access

  • 4th Street South

 

  • Best suited for island residents and visitors staying in condos and townhouses

  • Dive and snorkel the Regina Sugar Barge - 100 ft from southwest buoy (7th St. N)

  • Restaurants

  • ADA Parking

  • ADA Accessible

  • Good Shelling

  • Dogs are not allowed 

  • Trolley Stop

 

Bradenton Beach Parking 
Parking icon

  • 27th, 26th, 23rd Streets

  • Bridge Street 

  • 2nd St North

  • 3rd St South

 

Insider Tip

  • The best spot for snorkelling and diving with shore access on the island. The Regina tanker is submerged about 100 feet from the shore located directly opposite 7th Street North, Bradenton Beach

Anchor 5
Coquina Beach ~ The Insider's Guide to the BEST BEACHES on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Read about our favourite beaches for rentals, restaurants playgrounds, surfing, and lots more tips. Click the 'Read it' button for all the details

Coquina Beach

Coquina Beach Guide

Coquina Beach starts at the Southern end of the city of Bradenton Beach at 5th Street South and stretches all the way to the end of the island at the Longboat Key Bridge. This beach is also narrow but as it's name suggests is great for shelling and has lots of public amenities. Coquina Beach is very long and the perfect spot for day visits to the island from Sarasota and the residents of nearby counties. It is a great spot if you are hosting a large family gathering as it has lots of covered picnic areas and grills.It is reminiscent of a State Park with it's tall Australian Pines and quiet area on the Bay side, there are no homes or restaurants for much of it's length. Leffis Key Preserve and Coquina Bayside Park are found across Gulf Drive on the East side.

 

Coquina Beach hosts an Outdoor Market from 10am - 4pm each Sunday - November through July (excluding Easter). Admission is free and convenient with the free trolley stop right at the entrance.

 

Note: the Southern tip of the beach occasionally has strong currents from changes in tides. Swim in the designated swimming area.

Coquina Beach Amenities

  • Coquina Beach Park runs the majority of the length of Coquina Beach, making it idyllic. Best suited for day visitors and large groups needing extra picnic tables and grills. There is a fee of approx. $85.00 and up to reserve the Pavilions. Contact Manatee County for more information Manatee County Website

 

Coquina Beach 

  • Lifeguard Station

  • Disability Beach Wheelchairs

  • Sheltered Picnic Area

  • Grills

  • ADA Parking

  • ADA Accessible

  • Restrooms

  • Showers

  • Biking Path - Boardwalk

  • Good Shelling

  • Dogs are not allowed 

Coquina Park

  • Sheltered Picnic Area

  • Grills

  • Open Picnic Area

  • ADA Parking

  • ADA Accessible

  • Restrooms

  • Showers

  • Boat Ramp

  • Kayak Launch

  • Playground

  • Water Fountain

  • Trolley Stop

  • Volleyball

  • Changing Cabanas

  • Concessions, Gift Shop

Coquina Beach Access 
Beach Access icon
Handicapped Disability Icon

  • 6 Street South to 13th Street South

  • Access the Main Entrance to Coquina Beach Park off of Gulf Drive South, south of the city Bradenton Beach

  • Trolley Stop is at lower end of Coquina Park

 

  ADA Disabilities  Beach Access

  • 6 Street South

  • ADA floatable beach wheelchairs 

Coquina Beach Parking 
Parking icon
Disability Parking

  • 6 Street South

  • Access the Main Entrance to Coquina Beach Park off of Gulf Drive South, South of the city Bradenton Beach

 

  ADA Disabilities Parking

  • Main entrance at Gulf Drive

Insider Tips

  • Coquina Beach has a fabulous Boardwalk that you can walk, run or ride on. It runs from 4th Street South to Longboat Pass

  • Don't forget to look up... the Australian Pine Trees are home to seasonal wild parrots

  • Coquina also has some groins and old piers that offer fantastic photography options

  • Mote Marine Aquarium is located across the street and is a great place to introduce children to Florida Marine animals

  • ADA floatable beach wheelchairs are offered, making it super easy to maneouver in the sand and on the water

Anna Maria Island City Pier Pavilion ~ The Insider's Guide to the BEST BEACHES on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Read about our favourite beaches for rentals, restaurants playgrounds, surfing, and lots more tips. Click the 'Read it' button for all the details

Bayfront Park

Anchor 6

Bayfront Park Beach Guide

Bayfront Park is located on the Northern tip of the island, in between Anna Maria City Pier and the Rod n Reel Pier. Both piers offer tasty casual dining restaurant options. This beach is narrow but is a great spot to seek out calmer waters. Tampa Bay is home to many marine animals, such as conch, cow nose rays and more. It's the perfect location to explore wild Florida marine life. The sandy beach is not as pristine as the Gulf side but does allow for nice protection from the Gulf winds from the trees and sea oats during the winter months.

 

The views are expansive and take in the magnificent Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Egmont Key and Passage Key (when it is not submerged). 

There are plenty of spaces for families to gather at picnic tables under the Pavilions, barbecue grill, explore the playground and more. There is a short bike path available that meanders over a hump back bridge. There are benches to stop and take in the views. There are great photography viewpoints in this location!

 

The free trolley stop is located at the Anna Maria City Pier parking lot. Right under the huge pavilion. Take a tour of the entire island starting off at it's most Northern stop.

 

Note: Avoid swimming near the fishing piers!

Bayfront Park Amenities

 

  • Sheltered Picnic Area

  • Grills

  • Benches

  • ADA Parking

  • ADA Accessible

  • Restrooms

  • Shower

  • Biking Path - Boardwalk

  • Dogs are not allowed 

Best suited for day visitors and large groups needing extra picnic tables and grills. There is a fee of approx. $85.00 and up to reserve the Pavilions. Contact Manatee County for more information Manatee County Website

Bayfront Park Access 
Beach Access icon
Handicapped Disability Icon

  • Access the Main Entrance at 310 North Bay Blvd

  • Trolley Stop at City Pier, walk over humpback bridge on North Bay Blvd toward Rod n Reel Pier

 

 

  ADA Disabilities  Beach Access

  • 310 North Bay Blvd

Bayfront Park Parking 
Parking icon
Disability Parking

  • 310 North Bay Blvd

 

 

 

 

  ADA Disabilities  Parking

  • 310 North Bay Blvd

Insider Tips

  • Bayfront Park Beach is a great spot to sunbathe during the cooler months, as it is sheltered from the Gulf winds

  • Don't forget to look up and spot a Bald Eagle or Osprey 

  • Keep your eye out for dolphins looking for an easy meal at either fishing pier

  • Two Scoops Ice Cream shop is located at Pine Ave and South Bay Blvd

  • Rod n Reel Pier offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner

  • Anna Maria City Pier offers lunch, dinner and happy hours

Previous   Next
bottom of page