The Sarasota and Me Guide to Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island is only a short drive from Sarasota, but it feels like its own little world.

I know Sarasota locals who vacation there for a weekend—or even an entire week. They’re close enough to home that they haven’t really gone far, but once they arrive, they become immersed in the island.

I understand the appeal.

Anna Maria is vibrant, colorful and fun. Golf carts cruise past old-school island motels, open-air restaurants and colorful little shops. The Gulf is never far away, and the entire island has an energy that makes you want to stay longer than you planned.

But you don’t have to book a room to enjoy it. I usually go for the day—to spend time at the beach, have lunch, take a boat ride or watch the sunset over dinner.

Anna Maria Island works equally well whether you’re coming for lunch or settling in for a week.

First, Understand the Island

Anna Maria Island is approximately seven miles long and includes three separate cities: Bradenton Beach on the southern end, Holmes Beach in the middle and the city of Anna Maria to the north.

You’ll find several named beaches, but those aren’t your only choices. Beach-access points appear throughout the island, and you may decide to pull into one that looks inviting instead of heading to a large public beach.

Just remember that many of those smaller access points aren’t guarded, so know which kind of beach day you’re choosing.

Start at Coquina Beach

If you’re coming from Sarasota, one of my favorite ways to reach Anna Maria is to drive through Longboat Key and cross the Longboat Pass Bridge.

It’s a fun drive, and Coquina Beach is waiting just over the bridge.

Coquina somehow feels farther away than it really is. The beach is beautiful, but I also love the trees, walking trails and places where people gather to play volleyball. There’s lifeguarding here, which makes it a reassuring choice when you’re traveling with children.

Keep an eye on the water, too. Coquina is a great place to see dolphins. I’ve watched them appear offshore, and suddenly everyone on the beach is looking in the same direction.

The Longboat Pass Bridge adds to the scenery. It’s entertaining to watch the bridge rise and let boats pass underneath—unless, of course, you’re sitting in your car waiting for it. Then it’s slightly less charming.

The Coquina Beach Market is another reason to go. During its operating season, the market is held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

The vendors sell clothing, jewelry, artwork and other locally made finds. I’ve discovered some of my favorite art and jewelry there, and it’s a much more interesting place to buy a Sarasota-area souvenir than a generic beach shop. Sometimes there’s a singer, which makes the whole thing feel even more like an island afternoon.

Manatee County currently lists restroom facilities at Coquina Beach, although availability may differ among sections as hurricane-recovery work continues. Check current beach conditions before making plans around a particular facility.

Choose Your Next Beach

Cortez Beach

Cortez Beach is just north of Coquina in Bradenton Beach. It’s beautiful, relatively simple and close to the activity around Bridge Street.

It’s a good choice when you want time by the Gulf before walking over for lunch, shopping or a frozen drink.

Manatee Public Beach

Manatee Public Beach is in Holmes Beach and has the conveniences many families want: lifeguarding, food, beach rentals and facilities nearby.

The super-tall lifeguard tower is pretty cool to see, too. It gives the beach a look that’s immediately recognizable in photographs.

Anna Maria Island Beach Café serves food right beside the sand, and rentals are generally available for chairs, umbrellas and other beach-day necessities. Confirm current hours and availability before going.

Bean Point

Bean Point sits at the northern tip of the island, where the Gulf of Mexico meets Tampa Bay.

It’s one of Anna Maria’s most legendary stretches of shoreline. The views are gorgeous, and on a clear day you may see the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the distance.

Bean Point doesn’t have the large parking lot and amenities you’ll find at a public beach. Access is more limited, so go prepared and pay very close attention to parking signs.

Go during season and you might not find a space. But when you do, it’s easy to understand why people keep trying.

The current can also become strong as you wade out, particularly near the tip of the island, so be careful in the water.

Spend Time on Bridge Street

Historic Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach is a tourist’s dream—and I mean that in the best possible way.

There are restaurants, bars, shops and beautiful views, all within an area that’s easy to explore on foot. It’s lively without losing the island feeling that brought you there in the first place.

Daiquiri Deck is always fun when you want a frozen drink and a view. The atmosphere is casual, colorful and exactly what you’d expect from a day on Anna Maria Island.

Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier is another favorite. It sits beside the Historic Bridge Street Pier and looks over the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s an easy place to stop for seafood, drinks and a waterfront view before continuing around Bridge Street.

The pier is also one of the stops for the Gulf Islands Ferry, so you’ll see people arriving on the island from Bradenton without bringing a car.

Come Hungry

It’s not hard to find a great restaurant on Anna Maria Island. That’s part of the reason Sarasota locals sometimes stay overnight instead of driving home after the beach.

Two of my all-time favorite Florida restaurants are here, and both sit directly on the Gulf.

Beach House Waterfront Restaurant

The first time I visited Beach House Waterfront Restaurant, I was in awe.

The restaurant is literally beside the beach, with an expansive Gulf-front deck and sunsets that can make the entire restaurant stop and look toward the water.

This is where you go when you want dinner to feel like part of the island experience rather than something you do after the beach.

Beach House doesn’t take reservations, so allow extra time—especially around sunset. Complimentary valet and paid self-parking are currently available, but check the restaurant’s latest information before going.

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits is also directly on the beach, and the setting is unbelievable.

You can sit beside the Gulf, order seafood and watch the sky change color as the sun goes down. It’s the kind of Florida restaurant people picture when they’re planning a trip—and one of the places that makes staying overnight on Anna Maria especially tempting.

See Anna Maria from the Water

If you’re on Anna Maria Island, take a boat tour. It’s completely worth it.

The views from the water are stunning, and dolphin sightings are common enough to be one of the biggest reasons people book a trip. Depending on the tour, you may also stop to snorkel, look for wildlife or explore areas that aren’t easily reached from shore.

A sunset boat tour is my favorite choice. You get the dolphins, the island views and a Sarasota-area sunset in one experience.

Availability and routes can change with weather and water conditions, so book through an established operator and confirm exactly what the trip includes.

Take the Ferry

You can also reach Anna Maria Island without driving across the bridge.

The Gulf Islands Ferry travels between downtown Bradenton’s Riverwalk and the Historic Bridge Street Pier. The ride takes approximately 50 minutes and turns transportation into part of the day.

It’s a fun option when you want to enjoy the water, avoid island traffic and arrive directly near the restaurants and shops on Bridge Street.

The ferry generally operates Wednesday through Sunday, but service is weather-dependent and schedules can change. Check the official schedule before leaving home.

Get Around Like You’re on an Island

Golf carts and bicycles are everywhere on Anna Maria Island. They aren’t merely transportation—they’re part of the atmosphere.

It seems as though every few minutes another colorful golf cart passes by carrying a family, beach bags and at least one person who appears extremely pleased with the day.

If you’d rather let someone else handle the driving, Manatee County’s free Anna Maria Island trolley travels between the Coquina Beach area and the northern part of the island.

It’s a useful way to move among beaches, restaurants and shopping areas without repeatedly searching for another parking space.

Stay Somewhere with Island Character

Anna Maria isn’t the place to look for a sprawling resort filled with towers and enormous conference rooms.

That’s part of its charm.

Instead, you’ll find vacation homes, small inns and old-school island motels. The places to stay tend to feel connected to the island rather than separated from it.

And because Anna Maria is only about seven miles long, you don’t need to overthink which part of the island is best. Wherever you stay, beaches, restaurants and the island’s other attractions are relatively close.

Choose a place you love and let the trolley, a bike or a golf cart help with the rest.

A Note About the Piers

Anna Maria Island’s piers have always been part of its story, but the hurricanes of 2024 caused serious damage.

The Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach is active and remains a central part of the Bridge Street area.

The Anna Maria City Pier at the northern end of the island sustained hurricane damage and has been undergoing repairs and redevelopment. Check the City of Anna Maria’s current updates before planning a visit around access to the pier.

The original Rod & Reel Pier was destroyed during Hurricanes Helene and Milton. It had been an Anna Maria landmark for decades, with a restaurant and bar overlooking the water.

A temporary, land-based Rod & Reel restaurant opened in Holmes Beach in 2025 while supporters continued raising money toward rebuilding the pier. That effort was still active in 2026, but there isn’t a completed replacement pier yet.

It’s worth understanding the difference so you don’t arrive expecting the old over-the-water experience.

Come for the Day—or Stay a Little Longer

Anna Maria Island can be whatever you need it to be.

You can drive over for lunch, spend a few hours on the beach and return to Sarasota before dark.

You can take the ferry, walk around Bridge Street and catch a boat tour.

Or you can check into a fun little island motel, rent a golf cart and settle into the rhythm of the place for several days.

That’s what makes Anna Maria so appealing. It’s close, but it has an energy all its own. You arrive planning to spend the afternoon and start wondering whether you should stay for sunset.

You should.

Beach facilities, ferry schedules, trolley service, restaurant operations and hurricane-recovery conditions can change. Confirm current details directly with each location before visiting.