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ANNA MARIA ISLAND (Including Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach)
Anna Maria Island is a barrier island located on central Florida's Gulf Coast, just south of Tampa Bay. Anna Maria Island has become known as "My Island In The Sun" for not only visitors. but year-round residents. The residents of this island have worked diligently to preserve its old Florida feeling. Anna Maria Island has just two structures that are higher than three stories. There are four beautiful public beaches on the island.
The island is divided into three communities that are easily accessed from the mainland by three drawbridges. Getting around the island is easy thanks to a free trolley service.
Beginning at the northern tip is the municipality of Anna Maria, a quiet residential community with an abundance of rental homes and cottages with an old Florida feel. Broad white beaches and rustic fishing piers overlooking Tampa Bay compete with charming shops and eateries for your attention.
In the center of Anna Maria Island is Holmes Beach. This is a 600 acre village dividing the Gulf of Mexico beaches from the mouth of Palma Sola Bay. There are many vacation rental homes and condos available in this part of the island and some of the island's finest dining, boutiques and shopping are found here. The beach at Holmes Beach has no facilities but is a nice quiet stretch of beach frequented by locals and visitors alike. Parking is limited on the side streets leading to the beach.
The village of Bradenton Beach is at the southern tip of Anna Maria and connects to Longboat Key. There are actually three beaches here – Bradenton Beach, Cortez Beach and Coquina Beach. Restaurants, shops and watersport rentals are plentiful in this small, seaside community.
Boating, fishing, jet skiing, parasailing – whatever your favorite water sport, it’s offered here. If golf is your game then the Manatee/Sarasota bi-county area will provide you with a choice of more than 45 courses. For tennis, visit the public courts in Anna Maria or Holmes Beach. Just about every weekend one of the villages will have something going on - either an art festival or flea market, or the Privateers will be smoking mullet in a parking lot. It's best to consult the island newspapers to see what is going on.
Round out your vacation with an easy trip into Sarasota or Bradenton to experience their attractions.
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