Things to do in Anna Maria Island in February – Wanderlog (2024)

The most gorgeous beach I’ve been to in Florida. Gorgeous white sand than never gets hot, well compacted and easy to walk on, calm waters. The sunset is like no other.

Top 5 Tips:1. Get there early! (Limited Parking)2. There are no bathrooms so you’ll have to get creative 😅3. Do not leave any trash!4. Beware of the Red Tide during this time of year👍🏽Overall, the beach was absolutely breathtaking! It was so calm and peaceful. The waters were somewhat calm and there was a lovely breeze keeping us cool for the sun. This the perfect for a sunset view! Sanely we couldn’t stay that late but I will definitely come back to catch a sunset. 🌅

My favorite spot in FL. In the north corner of Annamaria Island, Bean Point Beach is a beautiful beach with private house for rent, fishing area, pier, restaurants and much more to do. I love the water colors from light blue to green and the breathtaking sunsets. A magical place.

This beach is more like a residential beach and trying to find public parking is impossible. Due to how it’s inside a neighborhood if you park anywhere expect the allowed areas you’ll get fined. Along the intersection of North Shore Rd and Fern Rd are two signs that say “parking is permitted between these two signs” you can park there for free but the one catch is your tires cannot touch the pavement or you’ll pay a 40 dollar fine. Right in front of this allowed area is beach access, and there are not public amenities such as restrooms. The beach is gorgeous with striking white sand, a mellow surf, and emerald green water!

Breathtaking hidden little piece of natural Florida. Not as crowded as the main beach on the island and has a great view of the Skyway Bridge in the distance. Water is very calm and perfect for a nice beach day away from tourists! Be VERY careful with street parking here as you will get a $50 parking ticket if your tires touch the pavement.

Most beautiful beach I’ve seen in my life. So peaceful and tranquil. Manatees swim by right up by the shore. Sunset brings tears to your eyes….

Anna Maria Island's northern tip is a hidden gem that is often overlooked by tourists. The beach is gorgeous, with powdery white sand and turquoise blue water. There are often families of dolphins swimming nearby. The water is warm and calm, making it the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun.There are a few things to keep in mind, however. First, there are few access points and parking is limited. Second, there are no bathrooms close by. Third, the west side of the island has nice waves, but if you walk over to the east side there are almost no waves. This makes the east side perfect for smaller kids.Overall, Anna Maria Island's northern tip is a great place to relax and enjoy the beach. Just be sure to plan accordingly and bring everything you need with you.

Absolutely beautiful beach and water ( be careful of current and riptide).LOTS of various shells to search for. Parking can be difficult to find so go early.

It is a beautiful beach. It was a bit populated when we were there, but it really didn’t take away from the phenomenal scenes. Incredible sunsets. Love this beach. It is a bit tricky to find, but that’s part of its charm. One of my favorites.

Bean point is Anna Maria Islands most hidden gem! Very hard to find parking but we'll worth it. If you go to the northern most point of the beach you can literally see where the gulf waters meet the bay, as well as the sunshine skyway bridge in the distance. Use Google maps to locate bean point. Good luck and enjoy!

What a gorgeous beach on the north tip of Anna Marie Island. There aren’t many access points and parking, but we found a spot on the street a block away and it was a nice walk out to a powdery sand beach with turquoise water and the occasional family of dolphins. The water is warm, calm, and it’s a very peaceful setting to enjoy an afternoon in the sun.

Sunsets are an event in this area.Parking can be tricky, but make sure to park between sings and be considerate with homeowners and pedestrians.The area is very clean, and theres various points of entry.

I absolutely loved this beach!! Gorgeous water, friendly faces and not over crowded what so ever. We had a blast snorkeling and saw many crabs, bigger fish by the skools and sea shells. The parking is a bit harder to find but it's manageable. We will come back until we can't!! Lol gorgeous!!!!

Fantastic place to watch the sunset. Yet it can be extremely hard to find parking. Weekends are very crowded at sunset. If you're looking for a romantic, secluded beach, this is not it. Found it interesting that some were swimming in the water whileonly a few yards down the beach. You had others fishing for sharks. 🦈

Beautiful. The sand was like powder- the sunset was amazing.This far down the island you just park on the side streets- after Coquina Beach there was no public parking that I noticed- I could have missed it, though.Make sure to watch that you are on a street with a sign stating parking is allowed.Bring your wagon if you’re carrying much- but it was worth it.

This is a good beach for a weekend trip. Nice sand, and the water wasn't too rough. If you want to park, you must arrive early because it gets packed after 10 am. If you're staying close to the water, it's better to walk if you can or get some bikes. The golf karts, while convenient, still have parking issues. Lots of good places to eat but not the cheapest.

Very good beach, although the level of sea shells crumbled with the beautiful fine quartz sand has increased since my last visit 5 years ago. Still is a beautiful beach, with nice width and white sand. It is just hard to find a parking spot, so one must be persistent and creative without using private parking spots.

Very nice beach. The vibe is very relaxing and uplifting. Family friendly,but no too much that singles can have fun. Great to hang out all day and relax. The water was calm and not too deep.

A great place for a family to enjoy the beach and get some great food. The restaurant food was yummy! A wonderful way to kick off a fun day playing at the beach. It would be advisable to bring some shade and sunscreen. Lots of room to spread out, play in the water and even walk the beach for shells.

Basically, the beach’s name is 'Manatee Beach'. Manatee Beach is a top fan favorite. With its wide & long stretches of white sand and great views of the Gulf of Mexico, it’s no wonder this beach is one of the most popular in anna maria island and in Sarasota.We reached here in the evening around 4 PM. Whether it’s swimming, sunbathing, or simply just walking with your partner along the shore, Manatee Beach is sure to provide you with a memorable experience. However, there’s more to this beach than just sandy shores and crystal waters.Anna maria island beach cafe: right on the beach, small tiki bar, food options (seafood- Burgers, salads, and sandwiches), ice cream. order a beer, or co*cktail, or enjoy the stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico while you eat.Parking: Municipal Parking, it’s free but gets full so wait in one lane for 10-15 minutes, and you can grab a spot.Restroom: Yes!Changing Room: NoShower: Yes!

Could not be more disappointed to hear that they will ruin this vintage beach spot with a huge parking garage. Go while it's still fun and quaint. Parking is everywhere. Fun food and entertainment. I miss the drum circle..can get crowded.

Free parking, with a lot of it in the shade, picnic tables, showers and changing rooms! The food at the restaurant was great and of course, just a walk away from the soft sand beach. We also liked that there was a publics just up the street in case we forgot/needed something. Loved the "locals only" feel it gave off. This may have become our new favorite place!

Had a great family day here! I don't get to the beach much so I don't have super high requirements for a good beach experience, but it was clean, plenty of room to stretch out and a nice snack/food stand available. The water was perfect, just the relaxing scene we all needed! Oddly we all forgot our bathing suits but still got in the water!

Absolutely gorgeous beach! We spent the whole day here, it is not very crowded, there are free showers and changing rooms, the restaurant on the beach serves good fresh food at a reasonable price. In one word: beautiful!

Low key beach with quick access to food, drinks (all kinds!), and restrooms. Very clean, nice sand and all the people are just here to have a good time. Parking is a little tough so you have to be patient. We visited on a perfect afternoon on Thanksgiving Day. Hung around long enough for the S.unset

Like actually all beaches on AMIBeautiful white sand and great warm and clear water.Unfortunately swimming is currently not reccommended due to high bacteria levels!Too bad that on the whole island is not warned about it at all and also very many people are in the sea. We have also learned only by chance. If there is such a risk for bathers, and the bacteria can be dangerous for people, there should be at least a very clear warning on the beaches, parking lots and other places on the island. Especially important for vacationers who are not networked on the island and learn all the news directly!

We had a wonderful time watching the sunset and also snorkeling. Found a bunch of live small sand dollars, hermit crabs and other crabs, minnows etc... enjoyed a nice evening with my husband.

For me, this place deserve 5 stars!White sand, blue cristal water, clean restrooms, parking, food services, fresh water to clean you up and changing room!Come early to find a perfect spot in the beach, it gets pretty crowded!PS: Remember to leave the place as clean as you found it!

Beautiful beach, and super friendly people who work there.The rental loungers/umbrellas are of great value and convenience (especially as I forgot to pack our chairs...)It is not a large beach though, so if you want some space, you'll need to walk away from the conveniences of the parking lot.Amazing that it's free parking, but as you can imagine, spots are limited during busy times.We had a great time

Super convenient beach location with free parking. It was not too crowded and had nice shower stations and changing rooms. Not the white powder sand you find at Siesta Key Beach but it is not bad and stays cool. This spot makes for an easy beach trip.

This is a beautiful beach with soft white sand and beautiful water.It has all the amenities: restaurant, changing booths, bathrooms, a gift shop and an ice cream shop. Live music and co*cktails are a great way to end the day.

Home Fries=DIVINE. Potatogasm. Bagel & Lox is refreshing and filling. The bagel was excellent. View=Peaceful. Vibe= Chill. Music playlist= awesome. Random, but the hot sauce selection was great.

Very clean! Good food and drinks! See lots of bigger fish and manatees here. Had a guy singing when we went this time. Not much sun so bring sunscreen. Has more parking than the Rod and Reel, but does fill quickly. Get there by 930 or so if you want to park.

There's probably other things to talk about, but lets just cut right to it. The bathrooms are quite simply the cleanest nicest pier bathrooms in the history of pier bathrooms. Yes. The clams were delicious. Yes there's a little conservatory museumy thing. Yes,the views are amazing. But honestly you can only sit out here for hours when the bathrooms are nice.Also? There is beer.

Seriously, a fish sandwich on the pier, What’s not to love?!!! Great views, delicious Food & drink selection, calm atmosphere- you have to visit this iconic place. Spotted pelicans, sand pipers and a MANATEE! Time on Anna Maria just isn’t complete without grouper on the pier.

At first, I was skeptical because there is just a fast food order station and no restaurant and limited beer/wine options. However, if you are looking for SIMPLE, the live music on Saturday, the fried shrimp and fries were some of the best I’ve ever had! Seriously, the breading on the shrimp was a little peppery and super yummy. Plus, the view is amazing! And the fisher people fishing for shark - YES SHARK - are fun entertainment 😁

Coconut Shrimp was on point! Fresh and hot. Their chicken chicken fingers were tasty. Hush Puppies were Amazing!!!Everything was served hot and fresh. Dropping sauces were delicious too!!!Forgot to take pictures of the food!!!

Love the live music here at sunset. This is really very cool guys! Thank you! The view from the pier and on the pier is sometimes simply impossible to describe in words - the beauty is unreal! The burger was also pretty good!

Loved fishing here. The guy that sold bait was great he helped us free the stingrays we caught.

Ok, we came here on December 26, 2022. My wife and I desperately wanted fish and chips by the water, but for whatever reason, Anna Maria Island doesn't do fish and chips at any of their restaurants. Anyway, we wander around and find ourselves at the pier and at this restaurant. We decided that we would eat there because they had some fish and it'll be nice on the pier. We both order the grouper sandwich, pictured below, and thoroughly enjoyed it! It was light, crispy, and wonderfully flavorful. We don't really see the need to put this beautiful piece of grouper in a sandwich though. Throw it in on its own with some fries and slaw. That is really all you need. The reason it's 4 stars instead of 5 is due to price. The sandwich was great, but not worth the 32$ price tag. In total we spent 65$ on two items. Food was great, atmosphere is great, service was great, but definitely overpriced.

Awesome place to hang out with family and friends, great music, drinks and food.The atmosphere there is incredible definitely if you visit Anna María Island this is a place that you must go !!

Had a great lunch at the City Pier Grill and Bait. The tacos for taco Tuesday were good! Pork was a tad dry but the ingredients were fresh. The hush puppies were excellent and the orange butter served with it is phenomenal. Chowder is very tasty and fried clams were tasty and not overly greasy. Friendly employees and a great view to top it off.

Food was good. Staff was friendly, atmosphere even better. Dolphin shows while you enjoy your food. An amazing place to relax and enjoy your day.

Delicious shrimp tacos with a pineapple slaw! Beautiful location for a bite. I also had a great glass of wine too.

A favorite beach! Less crowded, and we often see dolphins there. They seen to enjoy swimming in the inlet and under the bridge way down at the end of the beach by the jetty, which is our favorite part of this beach. The shelling isn't great, but we occasionally find some nice ones. (It's the same for the other Anna Maria Island beaches too - these aren't shelling beaches.) The Coquina Beach Market is currently from 10-4 on Sundays and Wednesdays, but the days change depending on the time of year. It's very nice with a variety of vendors. We enjoy it!The main part of Coquina Beach has a Cafe, and at times you can enjoy some live entertainment. There is a Little Free Library, and there are also changing rooms, showers and restrooms. Sunsets are gorgeous!

Yo! As far as public beaches go this spot is seriously incredible. It has bathrooms. Many changing areas. Showers to rinse off. Lots of public parking. Air for filling beach toys. Snack and booze shack with decent stuff. Plenty of shade. Even grills. My biggest advice for beach goers is to get here early to beat the bridge traffic and parking issues.

The beach area was beautiful in the bathrooms were spotless! It was just a perfect day with very few visitors there during the day and shells galore! My kids had a blast and we collected a lot of beautiful shells! They were very friendly squirrels there also that took crackers right out of our hands. We tried to be careful so nobody got bit or anything but they are obviously accustomed to people feeding them lol! There were some fishermen there that day that were very kind and just encountered a lot of nice people! Perfect day at the beach!

Best beach in area. Shady. Lonesome. And very nice views. Free parking and nice walks. We will really miss it. Have been here Every day.

Stunning area! The area near the bridge is Just to Beautiful relaxing spot to relax and watch for dolphins, the beach near the bridge has a no swimming sign, the main beach is absolutely beautiful. Great are with Picnic tables,walking paths, bathrooms, RV parking.

It’s another place to go for a quieter beach day in the sun. A walk along the beach will provide for some great shelling, with the chance for shell collectors to find both shells and shark teeth and discover mini coves created by the waves along the coastline.We were there early in the morning like 8 AM, so soothing experience. Tons of free parking, lots of amenities, and a roomy beach with a large expanse of silky, white sand. White silky sand adorns this Gulf beach. It is more compact than Siesta Key or Clearwater Beach, so it is great for walking. It really is beautiful against the water and blue sky of Florida. There is nothing better than taking long, romantic walks along the beach.If you get hungry Coquina Beach has a beachfront cafe and you can even order breakfast. Otherwise enjoy salads, burgers, chicken tenders, fish tacos, and more.What makes Coquina Beach so special is that it has a great combination of mixed activities very close together, and unlike other Florida Beaches and popular areas, it isn’t as crowded during most of the year!some of the many popular water spots you can try in and around Coquina Beach and the greater Anna Maria Island (like Jet skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, Scuba diving, fishing, etc..)Parking: Free, and even space for RV's. The other bonus is there is not a long haul to the shore from the parking lot. Just grab your beach gear and goRestroom: YesChanging Room: NopeShower: yes

This beach is awesome. Plenty of parking, bathrooms and showers too. Super soft white sand. This is also a great place for photo sessions too. (Mazzalou photography)

First time coming back to Anna Maria Island after 20 years, and it's still breathtaking to see. This time, we went to the southern portion to Coquina Beach. Wow. White sand beach and crystal turquoise waters from the Gulf of Mexico. Not crowded and lots of wash stations, changing rooms, restrooms, and lots of FREE parking! It's just a relaxing getaway from the daily hustle and bustle of life. I highly recommend this beach and look forward to going up the island to check out the rest of the beaches on my next trip.

Coquina Beach South Entrance is a nice place to access the beach. You can walk under the bridge and walk along the intercoastal waterway. There were people enjoying fishing, and there was a small group of vendors selling things ranging from jewelry to crafted things like wind chimes to women's beach dresses to sunglasses to sandwiches and the like. Coquina Beach is a nice clean beach.

I've been here many times. Lost count how many times I have been here but this is my favorite beach and couple years ago I went to Siesta Key Beach that's my second choice in FL. Siesta key it's a way bigger Beach but this one it's not too crowded before noon. They have trees on the edges with awesome shade, grills, tables, bathrooms and showers. There's not too high waves and makes this a perfect swimming place.

A really great white sand beach with sand as fine as powder. The water here is also very clear and it goes slowly and shallowly into the sea.During the week there is almost nothing going on here, there are a lot of free parking spaces (many of them even in the shade). In addition, there is a public toilet, changing rooms and the beach section is guarded by lifeguards.

Coquina Beach is the first beach we have visited on Ana Maria Island. It’s a great family beach to go to! The parking is a very short walk to the beach, there is covered tree shade with picnic tables and bbq’s, as well as changing cabanas, outdoor shower and restrooms! There is also a food cabana in the middle but we haven’t tried it out yet. Many people park and use the beach where the food shack is, however if you are willing to go down one or two entrances, the volume of people will be cut down drastically. And if you want something from the food shack, it’s a very short and lovely beach walk. There are plenty of life guard stands as well and they monitor well what happens on the beach as well as the water. It was a great family spot to enjoy the day!! Bring an umbrella for shade though! Florida sun is intense!!

Absolutely love this beach. Water is clear and is white and even though there was alot of people there it didn’t seem crowded. There it public restrooms close by and a food and beverage bar right on the beach where you can rent seating and umbrellas if needed. The view is amazing.

When we were here previously last yr, the beach was clean,tons of parking,picnic areas and rinse off area. This week we visited again, same they are actually expanding more parking spaces. The beach was so crowded it was hard to find a place to hang out. They still have a playground so kiddos can enjoy and have fun. Lifeguards are around in the beach premises. They have also parking for RVs, then trailers across the street. We love seeing the boat party happening in the other side of the bridge. The walk around the beach is such a beauty. White sand beach.

Beautiful beach area. Lots of shade from pine trees on a nicely paved path. Perfect for walking, running and biking! Restrooms and changing areas are clean and well taken care of. Beautiful views and lots of benches to sit and relax.

The beach is my absolute favorite place in the whole world. Come. It's such a perfect experience! It's not as popular as other nearby beaches such as Siesta Key, and Manatee Beach, so it's often less crowded. Finding a perfect location to set up for the day is pretty easy. You're able to grab a spot without someone else blocking your view. There is also a lot of parking, which is great!

A favorite beach! Less crowded, and we often see dolphins there. They seen to enjoy swimming in the inlet and under the bridge way down at the end of the beach by the jetty, which is our favorite part of this beach. The shelling isn't great, but we occasionally find some nice ones. (It's the same for the other Anna Maria Island beaches too - these aren't shelling beaches.) The Coquina Beach Market is currently from 10-4 on Sundays and Wednesdays, but the days change depending on the time of year. It's very nice with a variety of vendors. We enjoy it!The main part of Coquina Beach has a Cafe, and at times you can enjoy some live entertainment. There is a Little Free Library, and there are also changing rooms, showers and restrooms. Sunsets are gorgeous!

Yo! As far as public beaches go this spot is seriously incredible. It has bathrooms. Many changing areas. Showers to rinse off. Lots of public parking. Air for filling beach toys. Snack and booze shack with decent stuff. Plenty of shade. Even grills. My biggest advice for beach goers is to get here early to beat the bridge traffic and parking issues.

The beach area was beautiful in the bathrooms were spotless! It was just a perfect day with very few visitors there during the day and shells galore! My kids had a blast and we collected a lot of beautiful shells! They were very friendly squirrels there also that took crackers right out of our hands. We tried to be careful so nobody got bit or anything but they are obviously accustomed to people feeding them lol! There were some fishermen there that day that were very kind and just encountered a lot of nice people! Perfect day at the beach!

Best beach in area. Shady. Lonesome. And very nice views. Free parking and nice walks. We will really miss it. Have been here Every day.

Stunning area! The area near the bridge is Just to Beautiful relaxing spot to relax and watch for dolphins, the beach near the bridge has a no swimming sign, the main beach is absolutely beautiful. Great are with Picnic tables,walking paths, bathrooms, RV parking.

It’s another place to go for a quieter beach day in the sun. A walk along the beach will provide for some great shelling, with the chance for shell collectors to find both shells and shark teeth and discover mini coves created by the waves along the coastline.We were there early in the morning like 8 AM, so soothing experience. Tons of free parking, lots of amenities, and a roomy beach with a large expanse of silky, white sand. White silky sand adorns this Gulf beach. It is more compact than Siesta Key or Clearwater Beach, so it is great for walking. It really is beautiful against the water and blue sky of Florida. There is nothing better than taking long, romantic walks along the beach.If you get hungry Coquina Beach has a beachfront cafe and you can even order breakfast. Otherwise enjoy salads, burgers, chicken tenders, fish tacos, and more.What makes Coquina Beach so special is that it has a great combination of mixed activities very close together, and unlike other Florida Beaches and popular areas, it isn’t as crowded during most of the year!some of the many popular water spots you can try in and around Coquina Beach and the greater Anna Maria Island (like Jet skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, Scuba diving, fishing, etc..)Parking: Free, and even space for RV's. The other bonus is there is not a long haul to the shore from the parking lot. Just grab your beach gear and goRestroom: YesChanging Room: NopeShower: yes

This beach is awesome. Plenty of parking, bathrooms and showers too. Super soft white sand. This is also a great place for photo sessions too. (Mazzalou photography)

First time coming back to Anna Maria Island after 20 years, and it's still breathtaking to see. This time, we went to the southern portion to Coquina Beach. Wow. White sand beach and crystal turquoise waters from the Gulf of Mexico. Not crowded and lots of wash stations, changing rooms, restrooms, and lots of FREE parking! It's just a relaxing getaway from the daily hustle and bustle of life. I highly recommend this beach and look forward to going up the island to check out the rest of the beaches on my next trip.

Coquina Beach South Entrance is a nice place to access the beach. You can walk under the bridge and walk along the intercoastal waterway. There were people enjoying fishing, and there was a small group of vendors selling things ranging from jewelry to crafted things like wind chimes to women's beach dresses to sunglasses to sandwiches and the like. Coquina Beach is a nice clean beach.

I've been here many times. Lost count how many times I have been here but this is my favorite beach and couple years ago I went to Siesta Key Beach that's my second choice in FL. Siesta key it's a way bigger Beach but this one it's not too crowded before noon. They have trees on the edges with awesome shade, grills, tables, bathrooms and showers. There's not too high waves and makes this a perfect swimming place.

A really great white sand beach with sand as fine as powder. The water here is also very clear and it goes slowly and shallowly into the sea.During the week there is almost nothing going on here, there are a lot of free parking spaces (many of them even in the shade). In addition, there is a public toilet, changing rooms and the beach section is guarded by lifeguards.

Coquina Beach is the first beach we have visited on Ana Maria Island. It’s a great family beach to go to! The parking is a very short walk to the beach, there is covered tree shade with picnic tables and bbq’s, as well as changing cabanas, outdoor shower and restrooms! There is also a food cabana in the middle but we haven’t tried it out yet. Many people park and use the beach where the food shack is, however if you are willing to go down one or two entrances, the volume of people will be cut down drastically. And if you want something from the food shack, it’s a very short and lovely beach walk. There are plenty of life guard stands as well and they monitor well what happens on the beach as well as the water. It was a great family spot to enjoy the day!! Bring an umbrella for shade though! Florida sun is intense!!

Absolutely love this beach. Water is clear and is white and even though there was alot of people there it didn’t seem crowded. There it public restrooms close by and a food and beverage bar right on the beach where you can rent seating and umbrellas if needed. The view is amazing.

When we were here previously last yr, the beach was clean,tons of parking,picnic areas and rinse off area. This week we visited again, same they are actually expanding more parking spaces. The beach was so crowded it was hard to find a place to hang out. They still have a playground so kiddos can enjoy and have fun. Lifeguards are around in the beach premises. They have also parking for RVs, then trailers across the street. We love seeing the boat party happening in the other side of the bridge. The walk around the beach is such a beauty. White sand beach.

Beautiful beach area. Lots of shade from pine trees on a nicely paved path. Perfect for walking, running and biking! Restrooms and changing areas are clean and well taken care of. Beautiful views and lots of benches to sit and relax.

The beach is my absolute favorite place in the whole world. Come. It's such a perfect experience! It's not as popular as other nearby beaches such as Siesta Key, and Manatee Beach, so it's often less crowded. Finding a perfect location to set up for the day is pretty easy. You're able to grab a spot without someone else blocking your view. There is also a lot of parking, which is great!

Lovely white beautifull sand beach on Cortez beach ,no restrooms,crystal water,free parking unfortunately on the weekend there is so much traffic to cross the bridge, i really like the parking is very close to the beach

Terrific beach. Has some of the best sand around. Water is always warm.great area for family fun.

Beautiful sands and water is crystal clear. I go to enjoy the fishing and the view.

This is a magnificent little beach!! One of a handful of beaches left along the west coast, where you can actually see the ocean while driving down the road. Most shorelines have been taken over by obnoxiously oversized hotels, and condominiums-so when you can actually see the water from the street, it's a real treat. Super fun nightlife..pretty rad dive bars, live music radiating throughout the streets, mom & pop eateries-all within walking distance. *One of the *BEST* beaches, for sunsets!!

Great beach, calm waves, free public parking, and not very crowded. We got to see a manatee.

Nice store... seems to be busier than the one we usually go to in Englewood, but I have impression this one has many more organic products, which I appreciate very much...only disappointment was they didn't have any more goat milk, which was major reason I got there for. I think they need to adjust amount of some products according to amount of the customers buying it...

We absolutely loved this beach and the parking was free and found a spot immediately. The water was beautiful and we spotted a small stingray twice while being there. What a beautiful place to visit.

Absolutely amazing place. Easy parking. Phenomenal place to watch the sunset.

Cool free museum to learn a little history about the area! Very friendly tour guide.

Definitely a must see when visiting! Interesting history of the island and friendly knowledge staff.

Neat little museum that tells you about the history of Anna Maria Island. Free entry (donations accepted). A guide was there for questions. Really awesome collection of everyday artifacts from old island inhabitants. Could be a great learning opportunity for kids about how life used to be back in the day. Had a small souvenir/gift shop. The jail cell outside is a great photo opportunity. There is a small cabin next door too that is set up how it would have been in the past. Great stop for families or anyone interested in times past. Will put things into perspective on how far we've come when you're surrounded everywhere else by the commercial touristy aspects of the island.

What a neat piece of history on the island. The home was once on the end of the pier. After the home was blown into the bay it was moved to another location on the island and remained for 75 years. Truly amazing for a wood structure. Then the community came to the rescue and moved it to its present location on N Shore where it’s available for viewing anytime from the outside or 3 hrs a day during the week. Lots of folks deserve credit for rehabbing the home. And the jail is original. Pretty cool.

I am not usually into museums too much, but the two ladies in there are very knowledgeable, intriguing and pleasant, they also gave the kids a scavenger hunt. Definitely worth a visit! Glad I stopped. Thank you ladies!!!

Visited November of 2021. Was passing thru Sarasota en-route to Ana Maria Island. On the 2nd day on the island me and my family visited the old city jailhouse, very much "still" intact. Highly recommend to visit this piece of history if in the area. Just make sure to bring yourself and an empty drive to take plenty of photos : ) And don't forget to walk past behind the jailhouse as you will find a different spot to take photos with your friends, family and loved ones.

Neat little museum is in walking distance or short car drive from many of the rental homes. Free admission; donations welcomed. Lots of information and relics inside the air-conditioned main building. Outside offers an old jail, garden, and 1925 house. You can tour the inside of house with a museum associate. House is 1 BR, but packed with lots of items, too. Interesting place to learn the beginnings of the Island. Staff is very friendly.

Cute little photo opp just for fun. Took my mom and we both enjoyed it

A great little museum and the lady did a good job at sharing the history.

This was a cute little free museum. Lots of artifacts and history. There is a tiny gift store, too. The volunteer working there was super friendly and helpful. She gave us tips on where to eat that paid off! The jail is interesting and offers free air conditioning! Oh and there are some movies that were in part filmed on Anna Maria Island. Might be fun to watch them for your trip. See photos for the movie names.

We went to Coquina Beach today to walk on the beach and stroll through the water. After an hour we got thirsty so we stopped to get a soft drink and sit on their porch and enjoy the view. It's a very nice beach Cafe with lots of tables both on the porch and in the sand. Loved it.They also strung string up to keep the seagulls from diving towards peoples food as they relax and eat. We haven't seen that since we left CT.

Slightly pricey as one would expect for an island restaurant but the food was wonderful (I had a grouper Reuben) there were plenty of tap selections and the atmosphere is amazing as you're essentially on the beach eating. We went at sunset and caught a great meal and sunset.

I had the breakfast sandwich with potatoesMy wife had eggs with ham and potatoesExcellent views of that wonderful beach

CoquinaBeach market coquinabeach.5 star market with.handmade Artisan crafts.Jewelry paintings & Unique items from sponges to handmade brooms

Great grilled cheese sandwich! I was so hot the Diet co*ke tasted like the best thing I'd ever drank in my life. 🤣

We had breakfast there one morning, normal breakfast fare, cooked to order. Very reasonable price. The view is almost better than eating.

Gorgeous as always!! Seen Manatees last trip, right before the bay and what they call Beer Can Island. Amazing!!!!

Visit the area, the county is committed to making great changes, and the beach area is clean and safe.Great place to fishing is by the bridge.

The place hasn't even opened and trying to kill the mood already. My boys got ahead of me and not thinking they rest the stuff they carrying on some the businesses beach chairs but I am to far for them to hear me. And here comes this bearded mood killer running like if there is a fire. I didn't drop my stuff and make a big deal we are here to enjoy the beach but really doubt he would ran that fast for a real emergency but who knows ........gave 5 stars because I have had friends eat there and rave about it guess I will never know

The food at this place is absolutely delicious! We decided to try the two eggs with ham and sunny side up eggs accompanied by perfectly cooked home fries, and we were blown away. The seasoning was on point, and every bite was pure culinary delight. What's more, the location offers a breathtaking view, with the added bonus of being able to feel the sand between your toes. I highly recommend this place without hesitation. In fact, I would go as far as to say it's the best breakfast spot in the entire area.

Really good food & drink! Small menu which makes it easy to pick something. I always get nervous with menus that read like a book. Small indoor seating but excellent views of the bay. There are some outdoor seating, however, was a bit warm so we sat inside. We had the grilled salmon and my spouse had the fried shrimp & scallops. Both very good, fresh and delicious! Wait staff was good, very attentive!

Great views from outdoor dining tables, friendly and fast service. Do not pass up the Lobster Bisque, it's beautifully rich and flavorful. The fish and chips were light and crispy and delicious. The portions are large so go hungry, share or make room in your fridge for your doggy bag! You won't be disappointed. The Oysters Rockefeller were delicious as well.

We had a group of four and this was our first time to try this place out. We started out with an appetizer and it was fresh and delecious. We all tried out different entrees and all of them were excellent. Mattison was our server and her attention to detail and her friendly attitude made for a nice dinner. Parking can be a little tight depending on the time of day you visit. There is inside and outside seating with a view off of the pier. This was one of the most satisfying meals we had on vacation in all the area.

We stopped here after doing a boat tour nearby as my friend in our group was craving oysters. They have a great location on off the pier at the end of Bridge Street. Very short wait to be seated. Happy hour start time is strictly enforced.Our group had many different entrees with mixed reviews. My $29 swordfish was good but dry. I should have added a premium topping for $3.49. The side salad I had (also a up-charge) was excellent. The lobster bisque was average.The good news is that their raw oysters were the correct temperature and were very good.Indoor/outdoor high and low top seating. If you sit outside you will have a great view but don’t leave your food unattended or it becomes the pigeons! Rude server. Prices were okay but I don’t like getting up charged for everything.Final vote: unfortunately average. I ate seafood all week long in AMI and the prices, service and pigeons brought them to where they landed. Sorry.

Today we finally made our way to their Bridge St Pier location - the only one of their four we hadn't been to! We love Anna Maria Oyster Bar but this one is a bit tricky to park near so we hadn't gone until today.If you've been to their other locations you'll find that the menu is much smaller here but their view of the intercoastal well makes up for it! They have inside and outside seating, service is great as always and the food is delicious just as their other locations but this quaint calm sea water view is amazing.You will find all of their locations very accommodating too - I cannot have coleslaw due to a medical condition so I substituted it for the vegetable of the day without a problem.They're attached to the pier so you can stroll down to get even better views before or after eating. Lovely location - and if you do find you can't get a parking spot nearby you can take the Old Town Tram for free - but please be sure to tip the driver! Go to OldTownTram.com for more info.

Fast, friendly, fun, casual, inexpensive, and good.We will go back next time we are in town.Oysters from the Gulf of Mexico delivered fresh daily. Super clean and delicious tasting fish. Burger was above average for a seafood joint serving beef.Open kitchen (always feel good when I can see what’s going on in the kitchen☺️), quick service, and super hot food.Only downfall…parking. If you can’t find a spot keep looping around the drag…someone’s sure to back out eventually…it’ll be worth the headache 😉.Thanks AMI Oyster Bar!!!!

Go Early!!! This place is hopping & seating is limited. Great for the sea food lover. The Lobster Bisque surpassed expectations. The Smoked Fish Spread was delish. My picky younger child loved the wings! The hamburgers were tasty too!Savanah was very attentive & accommodating.

My server was Courtney. She was so friendly, extremely helpful. She recommended the Chipotle and Tequila Lime oysters. Honestly, I’ve tried a ton of oysters in Florida and all so overtly baked, greasy, etc.. these were perfect! Absolutely delicious and I’m happy I asked for the servers recommendation. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ thanks to the staff for giving me such a wonderful experience while visiting my mom!

We ate here with a group of 11. Had to wait quite a bit but there is very limited seating inside so it is understandable. The good thing is there are several options to keep yourself busy while you wait as you can explore the pier and look for the heart shaped rock. Or you can visit one of the many bars they have within walking distance while you wait. I got the shrimp and scallops and they were very good. The scallops were a little on the smaller side but they were good. We also got a ahi tuna stack special that they made with crab. Very good. A few in our group got the all you can eat fish and chips and it was a lot of food on the first go round. I would def come back here to eat. If you enjoyed this review please be sure to click the like button. Thank you!

We were driving around the island since we just arrived and stumbled onto this area. So cool. Feels like a key west vibe. Our first stop was at Anna Maria Oyster Bar for a drink. Decided on an appetizer of smoked fish spread. The drinks were fair but inexpensive. The fish spread was tasty. Anytime you can eat and drink watching the water is beautiful. There was one bartender. She handled the bar and restaurant and did the best she could under those circ*mstances.

The view from the deck is definitely the most beautiful on the island. I tasted their catch of the day, blackened grouper with green beans and really really liked it. I also tasted their pink flamingo and highly recommend it.

While sightseeing in the area on a rainy night we saw the clock tower and all the lights. Once we realized that there was a restaurant on the pier we went inside and were greeted with a smile and quickly seated. We started with a local draft and tried the Crab Stack. Really yummy and delicious. We tried a dozen baked oysters with cheesy garlic and Rockefeller which were really tasty. I could have eaten two dozen but it was getting dark and cold out so decided to call it a night. Highly recommend this place as the staff were very friendly and made our visit very enjoyable.

Our friends brought us here in their boat at the Bradenton Beach dock. Amazing lunch. The four of us had the Wolf Fish and Grouper sandwich, Cheese Grits, Fish and Chips and house salad. Everything was delicious. Drinks were very reasonable too. Would love to visit again. (Were visiting from Boston)

The view and atmosphere here is hard to beat, especially if you seat outside.We had the fish and chips and there were alright, not the best I’ve had.The dirty monkey co*cktail was delicious!The raw oysters were fresh and HUGE! Also a good price.

I've been to two other AM Oyster bar locations and had good experiences so I thought I'd check out the one actually on the island. It smaller than I expected so we had to wait a few minutes for a table but they had a bar so no problem. The restaurant is on a pier and has an amazing view. Our server, Carlos, had a great personality and was helpful. We started with grouper bites, followed by a cheese burger and a chicken sandwich. Everything was good. My only complaint, and it's a big one, is that we were seated in a patio section that has pigeons. Rats with wings at your feet and ready to pounce on your food if you aren't careful. I can't imagine it's a sanitary situation. If they could do something about that I'd come back. Otherwise, no.

First time here, and it was a breath of fresh air after having bad service down the road. Just sat at the bar. The bartender, Jason, was attentive and friendly. Drinks were really good. Had the conch fritter app and was delicious. Short visit, but based on my experience, I will definitely be back for dinner.

I just saw Blithe Spirit. It was soooo entertaining and well acted!! The theater is itself is very nice too. What a great experience! Bravo!

For the second time in two years amazed by the level of acting talent at this island theatre. Excellent job by the the cast of I Ought to be in Pictures!!! Kudos.

Love this adorable island theater! Saw the Mousetrap here on 1/21/24 and absolutely loved it. Theater is great and so are the acoustics. This place is like a throwback to the good old days. Great cast, great production. Standing ovation! 👏👏

Very good show in a super setting. Definitely will go again.

Would never have stopped if not for the lab cache. got caught in the veterans parade 😄 so I grabbed all the geocaches near by.

Love Island Players on Anna Maria. Enjoyable every time we attend.

I never saw such a tiny theater in my life. It was so quaint! Very good sound, comfortable temperature and seats. Performance was great. Thanks to all the volunteers that help run it. We all had a great time.

Just saw the Savannah Sipping Society. Freshly painted theater, improved sound system and a stellar show with numerous laugh out loud moments. Kudos to all!!!

Years ago my father Marvin Longton was an Island player as well as a manatee player. Today I got to see my granddaughter perform in the play Character Matters it was awesome! All the kids were great, it was a lot of fun!

FARCE OF NATURE (playing now) is a laugh out loud comedy with the actors perfectly cast. Loved it!

What a delightful evening. There play was performed well. We all had a good time. All seats are good but we had 3rd row and they were very good.

I had an absolute blast. The four cast members of "The 39 Steps" gave us a wonderful evening. I really wasn't sure what to expect. I've been to AMI twice and this is the first time I've seen a show. The theatre itself is well kept which is impressive with how old the building is and all the weather elements down here. It's a small building but the stage is well sized for the house! It's intimate, clean and seems to put on decent theatre for the region. In other words, they do a lot with a little! I'm a fan! Will be back.

Great place to trail and board walk 🥾🧭🦮🐾🎒🌊🐟🦆 ❤️dog walk…. Trash bins along route 🧭 …… ample parking as well… nature preserve…. Enjoy 😉A MUST VISIT!

Quiet park. Went on a Saturday morning and I had the place to myself. Nice boardwalk overlooks. Good place for bird watching.

We got to experience a nature variety on this walk, including mangroves, seeing fish, watching crabs cross over the trails, and even dolphin watching on the coastline decks. The trails were easy to walk. We spent a little over an hour walking much of the area. It was a great little nature walk!

Nice trail around mangroves. It's not paved and some parts are very sunny. Bring water! I loved the little decks that went over the water. Those were lovely. There was also some higher lookout points that made for lovely views.

Very nice walking trails. Recommend going early morning or when sun is lower as there are areas without shade. Saw lots of crabs, fish and sea urchin shells.

Discovered this place whilst stuck in the weekend traffic heading into Anna Maria Island. Skip the criwds at Coquina Beach on the left of highway 789 and turn right into here where there isamplr free parking. You won't be dissapointed with the long boardwalks amongst the mangroves. The center of the park is on a small rise and there are several Tikki style thatched picnic tables that offer some respite from the sun and excellent views out over the bay. The trails are pretty easy going. Plan on about an hour and a half to explore the entire park.

Nice little trail with several board walk lookouts on the main loop and a slight incline/hill in the middle of the loop with lookout points. The main trail is a flat gravel loop with benches throughout. Depending on when you go, the majority of the loop is in the sun while the board walk lookouts are shaded, so keep that in mind and bring water. Overall, great spot to stop for a quick and easy walk with pretty views!

Beautiful, easy, kid-friendly hike. Keep your eyes open for spiders and webs if you don't want to inadvertently walk into them, because there are plenty.

Wasn't over crowded. Great views of the water. Got some good pics of critters. Nice place for a stroll.

A refreshing, quiet respite if you avoid the heavy traffic times to arrive and depart--ie, come early in the morning if it's during season and get home by 10am or so. Shell paths link wood walkways and waterside overlooks among the mangroves.

This is a good beach for a weekend trip. Nice sand, and the water wasn't too rough. If you want to park, you must arrive early because it gets packed after 10 am. If you're staying close to the water, it's better to walk if you can or get some bikes. The golf karts, while convenient, still have parking issues. Lots of good places to eat but not the cheapest.

Very good beach, although the level of sea shells crumbled with the beautiful fine quartz sand has increased since my last visit 5 years ago. Still is a beautiful beach, with nice width and white sand. It is just hard to find a parking spot, so one must be persistent and creative without using private parking spots.

Very nice beach. The vibe is very relaxing and uplifting. Family friendly,but no too much that singles can have fun. Great to hang out all day and relax. The water was calm and not too deep.

A great place for a family to enjoy the beach and get some great food. The restaurant food was yummy! A wonderful way to kick off a fun day playing at the beach. It would be advisable to bring some shade and sunscreen. Lots of room to spread out, play in the water and even walk the beach for shells.

Basically, the beach’s name is 'Manatee Beach'. Manatee Beach is a top fan favorite. With its wide & long stretches of white sand and great views of the Gulf of Mexico, it’s no wonder this beach is one of the most popular in anna maria island and in Sarasota.We reached here in the evening around 4 PM. Whether it’s swimming, sunbathing, or simply just walking with your partner along the shore, Manatee Beach is sure to provide you with a memorable experience. However, there’s more to this beach than just sandy shores and crystal waters.Anna maria island beach cafe: right on the beach, small tiki bar, food options (seafood- Burgers, salads, and sandwiches), ice cream. order a beer, or co*cktail, or enjoy the stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico while you eat.Parking: Municipal Parking, it’s free but gets full so wait in one lane for 10-15 minutes, and you can grab a spot.Restroom: Yes!Changing Room: NoShower: Yes!

Could not be more disappointed to hear that they will ruin this vintage beach spot with a huge parking garage. Go while it's still fun and quaint. Parking is everywhere. Fun food and entertainment. I miss the drum circle..can get crowded.

Free parking, with a lot of it in the shade, picnic tables, showers and changing rooms! The food at the restaurant was great and of course, just a walk away from the soft sand beach. We also liked that there was a publics just up the street in case we forgot/needed something. Loved the "locals only" feel it gave off. This may have become our new favorite place!

Had a great family day here! I don't get to the beach much so I don't have super high requirements for a good beach experience, but it was clean, plenty of room to stretch out and a nice snack/food stand available. The water was perfect, just the relaxing scene we all needed! Oddly we all forgot our bathing suits but still got in the water!

Absolutely gorgeous beach! We spent the whole day here, it is not very crowded, there are free showers and changing rooms, the restaurant on the beach serves good fresh food at a reasonable price. In one word: beautiful!

Low key beach with quick access to food, drinks (all kinds!), and restrooms. Very clean, nice sand and all the people are just here to have a good time. Parking is a little tough so you have to be patient. We visited on a perfect afternoon on Thanksgiving Day. Hung around long enough for the S.unset

Like actually all beaches on AMIBeautiful white sand and great warm and clear water.Unfortunately swimming is currently not reccommended due to high bacteria levels!Too bad that on the whole island is not warned about it at all and also very many people are in the sea. We have also learned only by chance. If there is such a risk for bathers, and the bacteria can be dangerous for people, there should be at least a very clear warning on the beaches, parking lots and other places on the island. Especially important for vacationers who are not networked on the island and learn all the news directly!

We had a wonderful time watching the sunset and also snorkeling. Found a bunch of live small sand dollars, hermit crabs and other crabs, minnows etc... enjoyed a nice evening with my husband.

For me, this place deserve 5 stars!White sand, blue cristal water, clean restrooms, parking, food services, fresh water to clean you up and changing room!Come early to find a perfect spot in the beach, it gets pretty crowded!PS: Remember to leave the place as clean as you found it!

Beautiful beach, and super friendly people who work there.The rental loungers/umbrellas are of great value and convenience (especially as I forgot to pack our chairs...)It is not a large beach though, so if you want some space, you'll need to walk away from the conveniences of the parking lot.Amazing that it's free parking, but as you can imagine, spots are limited during busy times.We had a great time

Super convenient beach location with free parking. It was not too crowded and had nice shower stations and changing rooms. Not the white powder sand you find at Siesta Key Beach but it is not bad and stays cool. This spot makes for an easy beach trip.

This is a beautiful beach with soft white sand and beautiful water.It has all the amenities: restaurant, changing booths, bathrooms, a gift shop and an ice cream shop. Live music and co*cktails are a great way to end the day.

Is a cute little art gallery. All local artists, they get to show their art.

I consider it a privilege to have been invited to participate in this fine arts Gallery.

Excellent Art Gallery with all artists being unique and very talented. Diverse selection of art to suit anyone's needs from fantastic original paintings to lovely jewelry and pottery. Best gallery I have ever visited in any state. Always a friendly artist staffing at the front desk and being helpful to assist or answer any questions. It is worth visiting and then revisiting over and over because artists are always displaying something new and different.

Wonderful art by local artists!

One of the best co-op art galleries I've been to in the area... lot of good local artists with primarily Florida / beach themed art. They have a decent selection of pottery / ceramic gifts as well. I got a nice piece of artwork for my pool area lanai and met some of the artists while I was there. Very nice place!

Wonderful gallery and wonderful artists! Something for everyone.

Lovely little art gallery/coop. The variety of artists all had their own fun unique style. I was a big fan of the watercolor beach scenes. Great place to buy small postcards/prints, and we had a fun conversation with the woman working there.