- Anna Maria Island is a Barrier Island in Florida, situated in the Gulf of Mexico. Anna Maria Island offers more than seven miles of beautiful, white-sand beaches to explore. The turquoise blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico compliment the white sand nicely, and give Anna Maria Island a unique feeling of paradise not found at beaches along the east coast.Anna Maria Island Picture Gallery Copyright © 2024 Gabriela BranisteanuAnna Maria Island is an ideal place to get away from it all. It’s is a place where “old” Florida charm can still be found, flip flops are a way of life and the speed limit never exceeds 35mph. High rise condos and fast food restaurants are pleasantly absent from this pristine vacation destination.
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.
One of the main draws of Anna Maria Island is the abundance of beautiful beaches, including Manatee Beach. It covers an area of seven acres and is popular with families. Spend a whole day on the beach, then break for lunch by cooking for yourself using the public grills and picnic tables.
Whether you plan to go to the beach or try one of the other amazing things there are to do here, Anna Maria Island is your playground in the sun! You can find kayaks, paddle boards, jet skis, or boats to enjoy your time on the water. Many of the businesses that offer water adventures, will also do tours, offering private tours for just your friends and family. If you don’t mind meeting new friends, you can choose a tour company that caters to larger groups. You can even have a fun afternoon paddling a dragon boat, or for the more adventurous, parasailing is always an option.
There is so much to see and do on Anna Maria Island! Spend the day at one of the art galleries or museums, or plan to go to a play or a concert. You will be thrilled with the amount of arts and culture in the area. Both Anna Maria Island and Cortez Village have museums that will give you a chance to learn some of the great history of the area.
This unique beach lined island is surrounded by amazing nature parks and natural vegetation lined paths to enjoy during a walk. If walking is not on your list for the day, rent a bike, golf cart, or scooter for yourself and the family, but make certain to follow the designated riding areas on the island. You can ride the free trolley from one end of the island to the other.
Fishing is abundant in our area and there are many fishing excursions for you to select from, both near shore and off shore. And don’t forget that many of our restaurants will prepare your catch, but make certain to call ahead to find out before you show up with your dinner.
How about a horse ride on the beach? Or a round of golf? Make it a relaxing day, or make it an adventure.
Anna Maria Island is an ecologically diverse barrier island and an important habitat for an amazing array of wildlife. The island itself, as well as the waters in and around it, are teaming with life. Enjoy some time exploring and taking in nature’s free show on the land, in the preserves, in the water and in the air!
The island is considered a bird sanctuary and draws bird enthusiasts from all over the world. It is a major migration point as well as a crucial nesting habitat for both common and rare shorebirds including plovers, sandpipers, oystercatchers and black skimmers. Stroll down the shoreline and take in the variety of gulls and terns, watch the ibis pecking in the sand for a tasty treat or the herons camped alongside the fishermen hoping for a handout. Be sure to keep a lookout over the water for the brown pelicans plunge diving for their dinner. Shorebirds can be seen at almost any time of the day as some feed at high tide, while others feed at low tide.
The surrounding water around Anna Maria Island is a small boat fishers' playground where you'll find snook as well as red fish.
For visitors wishing to explore the local environment, Robinson Preserve is a coastal area of interest that boasts a range of activities. Some of the water-based activities in the Robinson Preserve include kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing. On land, visitors can hike or bike along the preserve's trails.
The warm Florida waters of the Gulf of Mexico are home to nine species of dolphin, as well as various other marine life. Several companies run boat trips from Anna Maria Island with the promise of spotting dolphins swimming wild. You might see manatees and sea turtles too.
Pine Avenue is one of the best places to chill out on Anna Maria Island. You'll find some great places to eat with cafes servicing a range of local foods and some great gift shops. There are some beautiful community gardens full of tropical flowers such as hibiscus where you can relax and the beach is close by so everything is within easy reach. You can also spot wildlife from the pier at one end of Pine Avenue and you can explore the City Jail.
Enjoy a sunrise overlooking Tampa Bay and a picture-perfect Florida sunset over the Gulf of Mexico all in one day!
Copyright © 2024 Gabriela Branisteanu
Pompano Beach, Florida
E-mail us at: gabriela@mysunnyflorida.com
TERMS OF USE ACCESSIBILITY
Pompano Beach, Florida
E-mail us at: gabriela@mysunnyflorida.com
TERMS OF USE ACCESSIBILITY