Things to do nearAnna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is a laid-back barrier island on Florida's Gulf Coast, beloved for its sugar-white beaches, colorful Old Florida cottages, and calm turquoise waters.
Anna Maria Island sits at the northern tip of a chain of barrier islands along Florida's central Gulf Coast, separated from the mainland by Sarasota Bay and Tampa Bay. Unlike much of Florida's coastline, the island has resisted large-scale resort development, and local ordinances have kept building heights low for decades. The result is a streetscape of bungalows, art galleries, and family-run restaurants that feels closer to the Florida of the mid-twentieth century than to the condo towers visible elsewhere along the coast.
The beaches here rank among the finest on the Gulf. Bean Point at the island's northern tip offers a secluded stretch where the bay meets the Gulf, making it a rewarding spot for shelling and watching dolphins work the tide lines. Manatee Beach and Coquina Beach to the south provide amenities and easy access, while the water throughout remains notably clear and shallow, ideal for wading and swimming.
Pine Avenue in the city of Anna Maria serves as the island's social and cultural center, lined with boutiques, a historic pier, and casual eateries where the menu leans heavily on the day's catch. The Rod and Reel Pier at the avenue's end is a favorite with local anglers and offers a relaxed vantage point over the bay at any hour. Guided fishing charters, dolphin-watching tours, and paddleboard rentals are available throughout the island for those who want to spend time on the water rather than beside it.
Anna Maria Island earns its reputation not through spectacle but through simplicity, offering a genuinely unhurried stretch of the Florida Gulf Coast where the natural environment remains the main attraction.
7-day forecast
Tips for visiting Anna Maria Island
Visit during the shoulder seasons of late April through May or October through November to enjoy warm water and fewer crowds than the peak winter and spring-break months.
Try the grouper sandwich at one of the waterfront seafood shacks along Pine Avenue, where locally caught fish is a staple of nearly every menu.
Bring a kayak or rent one locally to paddle through the mangrove tunnels along the island's bayside, where you may spot manatees and roseate spoonbills.
Arrive at Coquina Beach near sunrise to claim a spot and watch pelicans dive just beyond the shore break before the parking lots fill up.
Walk or bike the length of the island using the free trolley as a backup, since the Anna Maria Island Trolley runs daily and eliminates the need to move your car between stops.
Top tours & experiences near Anna Maria Island
Private Helicopter Tour Over Sarasota Beaches & Keys
Fly a private helicopter tour from Sarasota for up to 3 passengers
Yamaha Jet Ski Rental on Anna Maria Island
Ride Yamaha jet skis with fuel included on Anna Maria Island
Private Inshore Fishing Charter near Anna Maria Island
Cast for inshore fish with a private captain and fishing gear provided
Private Egmont Key Boat Tour & Snorkel from Holmes Beach
Discover island history and white-sand shores at the mouth of Tampa Bay
Private Dolphin Tour & Sandbar Swim on Anna Maria Island
Explore Anna Maria Island waters and look for dolphins with a private captain
Anna Maria Island Hurricane 237 Boat Rental
Cruise, swim, and beach-hop around Anna Maria Island aboard a spacious deck boat
2-Hour Dolphin & Manatee Cruise in Bradenton Beach
Private coastal cruise with chances to spot dolphins and manatees
Explore Anna Maria Island by 6-Passenger Golf Cart
Rent a street-legal 6-passenger golf cart with delivery included
Bradenton Beach Sunset Cruise
Cruise Florida's Gulf Coast on a private outing with flexible routes and onboard coolers
Private Sunset Boat Tour on Anna Maria Island
Slow down on the water with a private sunset escape
Private Boat Charter in Anna Maria Island
Explore Sandbars, Islands, and Coastal Wildlife by Private Boat
Small-Group Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tour
Search Anna Maria Island waters for wild dolphins
Sunset Kayak Tour on Anna Maria Island
Paddle to sandbars and a secluded beach for Gulf sunset views
Private Dolphin Tour in Cortez near Anna Maria Island
Watch for wild dolphins without the crowds
Private Inshore Fishing Charter Near Anna Maria Island
Follow the seasonal bite with fishing gear and licenses included
Private Sandbar Boat Charter on Anna Maria Island
Trade the shoreline for shallow-water exploring on Anna Maria Island’s shifting sandbars
Anna Maria Island Sunset Cruise
A private sunset cruise with Gulf views, wildlife searching, and a possible sandbar stop
22' Tritoon Boat Rental on Anna Maria Island
Cruise, swim, and explore with triple-pontoon stability and Mercury 150HP power
Dolphin & Snorkeling Charter in Bradenton Beach
Customize a private cruise with snorkeling and wildlife searching
Explore Anna Maria Island by E-Bike Rental
Ride an e-bike around Anna Maria Island with pedal-assist ease
4.5-Hour Cruise in Bradenton Beach
Customize a Gulf Coast cruise with sandbar swims and waterfront stops
Private Custom Boat Tour on Anna Maria Island
Shape your day on the water with island stops, shallow-water exploring, and time to relax
Anna Maria Island 22' Pontoon Boat Rental
Cruise Anna Maria Island waters with a paddle board and kids kayak included
Anna Maria Island Sunset Cruise
Explore Anna Maria Island and Tampa Bay with stops tailored to your group