Anna Maria Island, Florida - Personal Overview
Our Anna Maria Island, Florida Vacation began on April 12, 2026 at midnight when we flew out of Salt Lake City to Tampa Airport, Florida.
This was the beginning of our 7-Day Anna Maria Island Adventure.
- We stayed in a condo near Manatee Beach. We highly recommend this area.
- The Free Trolley is a great way to get around the island and it avoids having to find a parking place.
- The Manatee Beach Cafe had great food at reasonable prices. It also offers Live Music from 5pm-8pm. This is a great place to watch the sunset and everyone claps when the sun sinks below the horizon.
- There are many good restaurants. The Manatee Beach Cafe had great food at reasonable prices. The Star Fish Co. had great soup. The Ugly Grooper had good fish tacos. Skinny's had alright hamburgers and the cheapest beers at $1.41.
- Walking around Bean Point Beach was worth the walk. Take the Free Trolley to Bayfront Park to avoid having to find a parking place.
- Our favorite beach was Cortez due to less crowds. Siesta Key was a disappointment - way too crowded.
Overview
Anna Maria Island offers pristine white-sand beaches, stunning sunsets, and a relaxed, Old Florida charm. Top must-see spots include the secluded Bean Point, the bustling Bridge Street with its historic pier, the scenic Coquina Beach, and the Manatee Beach Cafe for Live Music.
Top Attractions:
- Bean Point: Located at the northern tip, this is considered the island's most beautiful and secluded beach where the gulf meets the bay.
- Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach): Famous for its long stretch of white sand, pine trees, and calm, clear waters.
- Bridge Street: Located in Bradenton Beach, this area is packed with restaurants, shops, live music, and a historic pier, providing a hub for entertainment.
- Manatee Beach Cafe offers Live Music every night from 5pm-8pm. The food is very good and reasonable priced.
- Anna Maria Island Plaza offers many good souvenir shops.
- Bayfront Park is a good starting place to start the long walk around Bean Point Beach.
Restaurants:
Additional Activities:
- There are Hamburgers and $1.41 Beers at Skinny's near Manatee Beach. After, do some shopping at The Surf Shop across the street.
- Sunset Viewing: Any spot on the West side of the island is good to watch the sunset over the Gulf.
- Dolphin & Eco Tours: Take a boat tour or kayak through mangrove tunnels to see dolphins, manatees, and birds.
- Free Trolley: Ride the trolley to easily get around the entire seven-mile island.
- Sand Dollar Painting: Visit The Shiny Fish Emporium to paint a souvenir sand dollar.
- Fishing: Enjoy fishing off the Bradenton Beach or Anna Maria City piers.
Best Beaches for Families:
- If you're planning your next winter beach vacation to this stunning Gulf Coast Island, there are some great alternatives to Bean Point where you can confidently get in the water. Manatee Public Beach and Coquina Beach both have lifeguards on duty year-round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended watch hours to 7 p.m. during the summer (from Memorial Day to Labor Day). Both beaches also offer family-friendly amenities, like picnic tables, water fountains, grills, and shower stations. Plus, Manatee Public Beach has a playground for little ones.
- Manatee Public Beach: Located in Holmes Beach, this spot is ideal for families, offering a restaurant, playground, lifeguards, and amenities.
- Bayfront Park: Offers calm, shallow waters and shady areas.
- The Sandbar. You not only get some of the best food in town, you get a great view of the ocean while you eat right on the beach.
- The best beaches for shelling on Anna Maria Island are Bean Point for variety, Coquina Beach for abundance, and Bayfront Park for larger shells. Key times are early morning during low tide.
* Bean Point (North End): Considered a top spot due to converging currents, often yielding large conch shells and a wide variety of species.
* Coquina Beach (South End): Known for being a, family-friendly, mile-long stretch with many shells, particularly good for finding smaller coquina shells.
- Top shell-hunting beaches on the island:
* Manatee Public Beach: A local favorite, great for shell collecting.
* Anna Maria City Beach: Secluded and full of unbroken shells.
* Bayfront Park: Ideal for larger shells, especially at low tide.
* Bean Point: A hidden gem with unique finds, including conch shells.
* Coquina Public Beach: Great for both seashells and shark teeth.
Free Trolley Service
The Anna Maria Island Trolley is a free service running the length of the 7-mile barrier island from Coquina Beach (south) to Anna Maria City Pier (north). Operating daily from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 20-minute intervals, it connects key areas including Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and Pine Avenue, with major stops at Publix and Manatee Beach. Scan the QR Code at each stop to track Trolley arrival times.
Do's & Don'ts
Do's
- Hit both ends of the island. Bean Point Beach on the north end and Coquina Beach on the south end. The free trolley makes this a breeze.
- Eat at The Sandbar Restaurant. Get there early if you want to sit on the patio at sunset. Five stars for the shrimp stuffed with crab!
- Check out the shops! The Bridge Street Bazaar and AMI Plaza have good shops for traditional souvenirs like t-shirts, hats and island decor.
Don'ts
 Don't get a rental car without some research. "Rent-A-Wreck" is an option for lower pricing. There are shuttles available from the Tampa International Airport. Once you're on the island, the free trolley will take you anywhere.
- Don't overpack! You'll need a pair of sandals and a pair of walking shoes. We visited in mid-April, and the jeans and jacket stayed in the suitcase. Of course, you'll want to check the forecast before your visit.
- Don't forget the sunscreen. Use it often and wear a hat.
- Don't forget to check your surroundings, especially before getting into the water. Dolphins and Manta Rays are present.
- Don't accept the first price you find for lodging. Booking.com charged us many extras and refused to refund their double pricing on many items.
DANGERS!
- Are there alligators on Anna Maria Island?
- Swimming is now banned at Bean Point Beach. Web Site
- Three people have died in drowning incidents at Bean Point Beach on Anna Maria Island in the last month.
- The city is considering a permanent ban on swimming in the dangerous area.
- Bean Point is hazardous due to the merging of Tampa Bay and the Gulf, along with a steep dropoff.
- Every year tourists flock to Anna Maria Island, a popular small-town Gulf Coast destination with white sand beaches and a stunning clear emerald sea. But "no swim zone" signs have been posted around Bean Point Beach on the island and the city will be considering banning swimming there altogether after three people drowned in the area within the last month.
- Anna Maria Island, Florida, is generally considered a safe, tourist-friendly destination with low violent crime rates. The majority of reported incidents are "crimes of opportunity," such as theft from unlocked cars or beach rentals, making it important for visitors to secure their belongings. Violent crimes are rare, though burglaries and larceny occur, especially with high tourism.
- Key Crime and Safety Information:
* Crime Type: The majority of crimes are thefts (larceny) and property crimes rather than violent offenses.
* 2023 Statistics (Anna Maria): According to the AMI Sun, there were zero homicides, manslaughter cases, or rapes in 2023, with a 25% decrease in overall Group A offenses compared to 2022.
* Safety Tips: Local law enforcement encourages tourists to lock vehicles, secure vacation rentals, and avoid bringing valuables to the beach.
* Nature Safety: Beyond crime, visitors are warned of dangerous rip currents, particularly around Bean Point
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