A serene, old-school paradise lies on Anna Maria Island, a seven-mile isle on Florida's Gulf Coast. Spotted with lush mangrove forests, pristine white-sand beaches, and sparkling emerald waves, this is a quiet destination flanked by
charming resorts perfect for couples, families, and pet-lovers
.
Does Anna Maria Island have good beaches?
Anna Maria Island beaches are perfect for walking
. The sand at the water's edge is generally hard and flat, and intrepid walkers with lots of stamina can walk from one end of the island to the other completely along the beach.
Is Anna Maria Island worth visiting?
Anna Maria Island has some of the best beaches in Florida for families. With its 7-mile stretch of white sandy beaches, calm blue waters and laid-back living,
it's an incredible destination for a family vacation
.
Is Anna Maria Island walkable?
Along with the trolley,
Anna Maria Island is very walkable
, and you can even rent a golf cart or bicycle if you want to get around faster.
Is Anna Maria Island Expensive?
Anna Maria's
housing expenses are 2% higher than the national average
and the utility prices are 6% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 8% lower than the national average. Anna Maria has grocery prices that are 20% higher than the national average.
What airport is closest to Anna Maria Island?
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)
The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is the closest airport to Anna Maria Island. It is only about a 30-minute drive.
Is January a good time to go to Anna Maria Island?
Most of the year, Anna Maria Island is hot and visitors can expect some degree of humidity.
The best time to visit is January – March or in October because it's cooler on Anna Maria Island around then
. These times of the year are also the quietest if you are looking for uncrowded beaches!
Is Anna Maria Beach Open?
The park is
open from sunrise to 10 p.m.
and is a wonderful spot to try out any time of the day. There are three access points to the beach which makes it easy to get to and enjoy.
Can you swim at Anna Maria?
The waters surrounding Anna Maria Island are remarkably safe
. Anna Maria Island Swimmers Safety Recap: Don't go into the Gulf or the Bay with open wounds (even fresh tattoos) especially if you are immune compromised, or have chronic liver or kidney disease.
Can you swim at Anna Maria Island?
Swimming and Tubing
Anna Maria Island has calm water great for swimming the majority of the time
. The beaches also don't get too deep too fast, giving your littles plenty of room to swim and play.
Is Anna Maria beach crowded?
Anna Maria Beach
With so much space, you will be hard-pressed to find facilities so which is why
it doesn't attract much of the tourist crowds
. If you are looking for a quiet place to swim or catch up on some reading in the Florida sun.
Which is better Sanibel or Anna Maria Island?
Particularly during the tourist season, Sanibel Island is a wildly popular destination, but by staying on
Anna Maria Island
, you can get the best of both worlds! Anna Maria tends to be much more affordable thanks to the smaller number of tourists, and it's easier to find the perfect Anna Maria Island hotel.
What makes Anna Maria Island Special?
Anna Maria Island is full of
interesting historic attractions like the Roser Church, Bean Point and its scenic views of the Gulf of Mexico and wildlife, and the City Pier
. The Bridge Street Pier is a top historic site and gathering area on the island in Bradenton Beach where you can easily spend a day.
Is Anna Maria Island laid back?
Overall,
the vibe on Anna Maria island is pretty laid back
but there can be a lot of traffic (especially around Bradenton Beach). It's your typical small beach town in most ways. Think: small inns/motels, ice cream shops, beach shops, cozy restaurants, etc.
How far is Anna Maria Island from Disney?
Yes, the driving distance between Anna Maria Island to Walt Disney World is
104 miles
. It takes approximately 1h 48m to drive from Anna Maria Island to Walt Disney World.
What is Maria Island known for?
Accessible only by ferry, the island is
a native wildlife sanctuary surrounded by peaceful bays, rugged cliff face, and sheltered by tall eucalypt
. Steeped in history, Maria Island is also the most preserved and intact example of convict life across Australia.
Is Anna Maria Island Popular?
Once a best-kept secret among Floridians, Anna Maria Island has always been known for its sugar-white beach coastline, emerald green and blue Gulf waters and quaint business districts. Today,
it is known as a vacation favorite among local, national and international travelers
.
Do you have to wear a mask on Anna Maria Island beach?
Bradenton Beach commissioners have not passed a mandate on masks, and unless they do, a Manatee County resolution is in effect in Bradenton Beach.
Everyone must wear a face covering while inside a business
. Exceptions: Situations in which individuals maintain 6 feet or more distance between persons.
Is Sanibel Island near Anna Maria Island?
The distance between Sanibel Island Light and Anna Maria Island is
86 miles
. The road distance is 109.6 miles.
Is Sanibel near Anna Maria Island?
Sanibel is about an hour or so south of Anna Maria
— and so it is just a tad more tropical (this is most likely negligible to non-Floridians). Sanibel has embraced tourism more ambitously than Anna Maria. The main north-south road goes through the city of Sanibel and on to the island of Captiva just north of Sanibel.
Can you drink alcohol on Anna Maria Island beaches?
For visitors to Anna Maria Island, and Bradenton Beach, the Bradenton Beach Commission reminds them that animals, alcohol, fires, glass bottles and vehicles are
not allowed at any time on any of the city or county beaches
.
Are there sharks near Anna Maria Island?
Anna Maria Island is a prime location to find shark's teeth, shells, and much more on a day at the beach
. With several top spots right on the island to find these fascinating ocean treasures, you won't have to travel very far from your vacation rental for some exciting shell and shark tooth hunting trips.
Is the water clear in Anna Maria Island?
Anna Maria Island
The color and clarity of the water vary, but because of the filtering bay behind the island, it is typically pretty see-through
. This helps even those who may be a bit nervous about going into the ocean more confident since you can see to the floor.
Can you swim at Anna Maria Island in December?
Winter Swimming on Anna Maria
Swimmers can go in for a dip, though they may not last very long in the coldest months
. Surfers will likely need a spring or summer wetsuit, particularly if it's an overcast or high-wind day.
Is there red tide in Anna Maria Island?
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – For the first time since April, Manatee County – and Sarasota and Pinellas counties to the south and north – are
free of red tide
, according to Friday's Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weekly report.
Is Anna Maria Island crowded in May?
The good news for those of us who stay here year-round is that
high tourist season does not fill the entire period from October through May
, so we get to enjoy many days that are near perfect, without crowds. The busiest time of year seems to be around Presidents' Day, the third Monday in February.
