Anna Maria Island is a 7-mile barrier island on Florida's Gulf Coast, between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. No high-rises, no chain hotels on the beach, and a free trolley that runs the whole length of the island. It's the kind of place where people ride golf carts to dinner and the biggest decision of the day is which beach to sit on.
Here's what's actually worth doing — from the beaches and piers to the boat tours and restaurants that locals recommend.
1. Bean Point
The northern tip of Anna Maria Island where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf. Bean Point is a short walk through a residential neighborhood with no parking lot and no signs — which keeps it quieter than the public beaches. The payoff is a wide stretch of sand with views of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, plus some of the best shelling on the island. Go at low tide for the widest beach and the most shells.
Access tip: Park on North Shore Drive and walk the sandy path between the houses. There's no lot, so street parking fills fast in season. The free trolley stops nearby.
2. Rod & Reel Pier
A historic fishing pier on the northeast side of the island, in Anna Maria city. You can fish without a license from the pier (it's covered by the pier's license), and the attached restaurant serves solid grouper sandwiches and cold beer right over the water. Pelicans and dolphins are regulars. It's the kind of place where you show up for lunch and stay until sunset.
3. Pine Avenue
The main street of Anna Maria city — a short stretch of local shops, galleries, and restaurants in restored Old Florida cottages. No chains. Pine Avenue has ice cream, a bookshop, a few art galleries, and some of the better restaurants on the island. It's walkable and shaded, and the vibe is unhurried. Check out the AMI General Store and the Doctor's Office restaurant.
4. Manatee Beach
The most popular public beach on the island, in Holmes Beach. It has everything families need: restrooms, showers, a playground, a café (The Café on the Beach), and lifeguards in season. The water is calm and shallow, making it safe for small kids. It gets crowded on weekends, but the facilities make it the easiest beach for a full day.
5. Dolphin Boat Tours
The waters around Anna Maria Island are some of the best for dolphin watching in Florida. Bottlenose dolphins are year-round residents of Tampa Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway, and most tours run from the Bradenton Beach or Cortez area. You'll see operators offering everything from large party boats to small six-passenger pontoons — the smaller boats typically get you closer to the dolphins and into shallower water.
Best time for dolphins: Morning tours tend to have calmer water and more active dolphins. The bay side (east) is usually better than the open Gulf.
6. Cortez Fishing Village
Just across the bridge from Anna Maria Island, Cortez is one of the last working fishing villages on the Florida Gulf Coast. It's been a commercial fishing community since the 1880s. Visit the Florida Maritime Museum (free), eat at Star Fish Company (outdoor waterfront seating, right on the dock where the boats come in), and watch the fishing boats unload their catch. It's the opposite of a tourist trap.
7. Bike or Golf Cart the Island
Anna Maria Island is flat, 7 miles long, and has bike lanes on the main road. Renting a bike or golf cart is the best way to get around — parking is limited, especially in season, and the island is built for slow-speed exploring. Multiple rental shops along Gulf Drive will set you up. A golf cart lets you hit all three cities (Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach) in an afternoon with stops for food and beach access along the way.
8. Coquina Beach
At the southern end of the island, Coquina Beach is wider and usually less crowded than Manatee Beach. It has a large free parking lot (rare on AMI), restrooms, picnic shelters, and a boat ramp. The beach faces the Gulf and the sand is good for shelling. There's also a bayside area with mangroves and calmer water for kayaking and paddleboarding.
9. Sandbar Boat Tours
Several operators run sandbar trips from the Cortez and Bradenton Beach area out to the shallow sandbars in Tampa Bay and around Egmont Key. These are typically half-day trips on pontoon boats — you anchor at the sandbar, swim, wade in waist-deep water, and BYOB. They're especially popular with groups and families with kids because the water is calm and shallow.
10. Sunset at the Sandbar Restaurant
The Sandbar Restaurant sits directly on the beach in Anna Maria city. The food is upscale for the island (seafood-heavy, craft cocktails), but the real draw is the sunset view from the outdoor deck. It's one of the best sunset dining spots on the Gulf Coast. Reservations are recommended, especially in season — waterfront tables go fast.
11. Kayak or Paddleboard the Mangroves
The bay side of Anna Maria Island and the Cortez area have mangrove tunnels and tidal creeks that are perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding. You'll see manatees (especially in cooler months), rays, and wading birds. Several outfitters rent kayaks and SUPs from the Coquina Beach area, or you can book a guided eco tour that takes you through the mangrove maze with a naturalist.
12. The Free Island Trolley
The AMI Island Trolley is free and runs every 20 minutes from Anna Maria city down to Coquina Beach at the south end. It connects to the Manatee County transit system, which means you can ride from the mainland all the way to the north end of the island without a car. It runs daily, and the route hits every major beach and commercial area on the island.
Trolley hours: Generally 6 AM to 10:30 PM daily. Check the MCAT website for current schedules — frequency drops in shoulder season.
13. Fishing from the Piers and Bridges
Besides Rod & Reel Pier, you can fish from the Anna Maria City Pier (rebuilt after Hurricane Irma) and several bridge catwalks. The Cortez Bridge and the Longboat Pass Bridge are both productive spots for snook, redfish, and sheepshead. No boat needed, and the pier licenses cover you. Bring your own gear or rent from a nearby tackle shop.
14. Egmont Key Day Trip
Egmont Key is a state park island at the mouth of Tampa Bay, accessible only by boat. Several operators run ferries and tours from the Anna Maria/Cortez area. The island has a working lighthouse from 1858, ruins of Fort Dade (a Spanish-American War installation), excellent snorkeling on the Gulf side, and gopher tortoises everywhere. It's a half-day trip and one of the best island excursions on the Gulf Coast.
15. Bridge Street
Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach is the other commercial hub on the island. It's smaller and more low-key than Pine Avenue, with a handful of shops, restaurants, and a bridge that connects to the mainland. The Bridge Street Pier is a good fishing and sunset spot. On Wednesday evenings in season, there's a small market with local vendors.
Explore Anna Maria Island Tours
Dolphin cruises, sandbar trips, fishing charters, and eco tours departing from the AMI area — compare options and check live availability.
Browse All Tours →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anna Maria Island worth visiting?
Yes. It's one of the last old-Florida beach towns on the Gulf Coast — no high-rises, no chain restaurants on the beach, and some of the best shelling and sunsets in the state. It draws families, couples, and retirees looking for a quieter alternative to Clearwater or Siesta Key.
What is Anna Maria Island best known for?
White sand beaches, the free island trolley, Bean Point at the northern tip, the Rod & Reel Pier, and a laid-back vibe with no buildings taller than three stories. It's also a top spot for dolphin watching in Tampa Bay.
How do you get around Anna Maria Island?
The free AMI Island Trolley runs the full length of the island. Most visitors also rent bikes or golf carts — the island is 7 miles long and flat. Parking is tight in season, so the trolley and bikes are the way to go.
When is the best time to visit Anna Maria Island?
March through May — warm water, manageable humidity, thinner crowds. Summer is hot with afternoon storms but the water is warmest. November through February is cooler and quieter, good for shelling and fishing.
Is Anna Maria Island good for families?
Very. Calm shallow beaches, free trolley, multiple ice cream shops, casual restaurants, and Manatee Beach has restrooms, a playground, and a café. One of the most family-friendly beach destinations on the Gulf Coast.