7 Best Anna Maria Island Beaches (+Amenities)
Anna Maria Island is a beautiful destination for beach lovers year round, located in Manatee County. This Florida island offers some of the best beaches in the area, with soft white sand and turquoise water perfect for sunbathing and all sorts of water sports.
There are plenty of things to do on Anna Maria Island, from biking and kayaking to shopping and more! Anna Maria Island Florida beaches are beautiful spots you absolutely must visit.
Here’s our favorite Anna Maria Island Florida Beaches to check out if you’re in the area and craving a little beach vacation.
The Best Anna Maria Island Florida Beaches
If you’re looking to find the best beach on Anna Maria Island, check out this great list of the different areas and some of the amenities they provide. Each area on the Island is unique.
The list broken up into Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, and Anna Maria areas on the island!
🌊 Anna Maria Island Beaches: Holmes Beach
Holmes Beach is a small picturesque town located on Anna Maria Island that offers seclusion and privacy. If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of busy days at the beach, this might just be the place for you.
This is a central area of the island and is mostly residential. At Holmes Beach, you’ll discover miles of picture-perfect white-sand beaches. If fishing is your passion, this is also a well-known spot for it.
1. Manatee Public Beach
A great beach option on Holmes Beach is Manatee Beach. While this spot definitely can fill up during peak months (come early for parking!), it’s a beautiful spot for clear, blue water. You’ll find free public parking, lifeguards on duty, a sand bar to swim out to, and even changing stalls.
This beach area also offers a large restaurant as well as a gift shop for the area. With all of the amenities, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular spot. There’s even a free trolley here to southern points of the island!
Amenities
- Free public parking
- Lifeguards
- Changing stalls
- Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe
- Restrooms
- Volleyball nets
- Playground
- Picnic tables
- Gift Shop
Related: The best snorkeling in St Pete Beach Florida
🌊 Anna Maria Island Beaches: Anna Maria
On the northern tip of the island, you’ll find the small city of Anna Maria. It is generally far more peaceful and less crowded compared to other areas of the island and is generally more residential with some great beach access points.
While the water does have strong currents or riptides, something to note, it offers beautiful beaches and is the perfect place to relax.
2. Bean Point Beach
If you’re looking for a great getaway spot away from some of the more busy or crowded areas, Bean Point Beach might be a great fit for you. While there aren’t any extras like lifeguards, concessions, or amenities, it does offer fantastic views of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
This Is a beautiful, large beach area with tons of sand dunes to walk through and enjoy. It’s also a big sea turtle nesting area so you might just catch a turtle nesting or two! While you’re in the area, check out Rod Reel Pier which is a great pier to fish off of or enjoy some food near the water.
Amenities:
- No parking lot / street parking
- No Restrooms
- Secluded and quiet
- No lifeguards
Pro Tip: this beach makes for a great sunset spot, and you know I’m all about those sunset spots 😉
3. Bayfront Park
If you’re looking for an awesome spot on the Anna Maria side of the island, check out Bayfront Park. This is a popular park that boasts impressive views of Tampa Bay (and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge) as well as grills, pavilions, benches, and other park amenities. It’s also a great spot to catch the sunset.
While you’re here you can also rent kayaks or paddleboards, find a fishing spot or walk over to Anna Maria City Pier which is a close walk from the park. There are also lots of nearby restaurants, shopping and other historic sites nearby.
Amenities:
- Grills
- Pavilions
- Picnic Tables
- Rod and Reel Pier is nearby
- Swings
- Restrooms
- Fishing Pier
- Views of Tampa Bay
- Free Parking
- Showers
🌊 Anna Maria Island Beaches: Bradenton Beach
The last spot on Anna Maria Island is the Bradenton Beach area. This is the southern portion of the island and can be quite a busy spot. If you’re looking for something less residential with a flair for old Florida, this might be your spot.
Not only does this area make for a great beach spot but it’s also a great spot for some shopping!
5. Cortez Beach
On the southern end of Anna Maria Island is Cortez Beach. If you’re looking for a little bit more active area, this might be the spot for you! This beach boasts slightly more crowds but comes with a lot of amenities that you can take advantage of. Some of these include concessions, lifeguards, clean public restrooms, free parking, a picnic area and more.
It’s also a great beach for shell collecting as well as fishing off of the piers (or even great for snorkeling!). As is the case for most of the beaches on Anna Maria Island the water is beautiful with white sand and gentle waves.
Amenities:
- Fishing Piers
- Restrooms
- Sugar white sand
- Small Beach
- Some parking nearby
- No Restrooms or showers
6. Coquina Beach
Another great beach you should check out if you’re in the Bradenton Beach area of the island is Coquina Beach. This beach has the longest stretch of beach on the island with plenty of sand dunes and waving grasses to explore and admire.
It’s a top spot for shelling on the island and also offers some great perks like free parking, picnic tables, showers, and lifeguards. The water is crystal clear with white sand.
There’s even a shaded walking trail you can use under the pines. Overall, a great spot to add to your list of must-visit beaches on Anna Maria Island.
Amenities:
- Picnic Tables
- Grills
- Beach Cafe (Coquina Beach Cafe)
- Plenty of free parking
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Concessions
- Playground
- Changing stations
🌊 Beaches Near Anna Maria Island
While you’re probably looking for the best Anna Maria Island beaches, there are some lovely bonus spots nearby to check out.
7. Beer Can Island Beach
Okay, so we’ve got one more suggestion for you to check out if you’re interested in a beautiful beach. While this bonus spot isn’t necessarily on Anna Maria Island itself, it’s located within close proximity.
Beer Can Island is in the northern part of Longboat Key. I figured it merited being a part of this list just due to proximity and because it’s a great beach.
This spot is known for its driftwood – dead, weathered trees that are scattered around the beach. It makes for some fun exploring and some great pictures. There are also mini coves in between the trees that are fun to enjoy for some privacy and exploring. Oh, and of course, this spot in the Gulf offers beautiful white sand and clear waters.
Amenities:
- Pier Access
- No lifeguard
- Secluded
- Walking trails
- Limited parking
About Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is a beautiful barrier island located in the Gulf of Mexico (and pretty easy to get to!).
It’s known for its stunningly broad beaches and as a great community. The island is home to marshes, nature trails, beaches, and places perfect for fishing. For those visiting who might not be here for the beach, there are also plenty of restaurants and shops around the pier.
Anna Maria Island is about 7 miles long and is made up of three different communities:
- Anna Maria Beach
- Bradenton Beach
- Holmes Beach
This lovely island on Florida’s gulf coast is about an hour south of Tampa and about 20 minutes from Bradenton (nearby city). People come from all over to explore the beautiful beaches here as well as the town and even to take a boat tour nearby.
Another hidden gem of Florida is the Anna Maria City Pier, which offers visitors some of the best views of both the bay and gulf side. Don’t miss this lovely island if you’re in Florida looking for a beautiful destination near the ocean with scenic views and white sand beaches.
FAQ: Best Beaches in Anna Maria Island
Here are some of the most common questions that we hear about Anna Maria Island beaches in Florida. Hopefully it clears up any that you might have!
Yes! There are three public beaches on Anna Maria Island: Bayfront Park, Manatee Public Beach, and Coquina Beach.
There are no private beaches on Anna Maria Island. All of the beaches on this island are public access and open to everyone. The Public beaches on Anna Maria Island are absolutely beautiful and perfect for a day of relaxation.
No, technically alcohol on Anna Maria Island beaches is illegal. Take that as you will. Many people still bring it subtly (just telling the truth here).
Honestly, most of the beach areas on Anna Maria Island are clear so you can’t go wrong. The most popular would be Bean Point Beach or Coquina Beach.
Bean Point Beach is a great spot for a more secluded beach day. Parking is a bit more challenging but worth it.
The water here tends to lean more emerald or green hued than blue, in my opinion. Still beautiful!
Sadly not all of the beaches are dog friendly. However, I think Anna Maria Island is a dog friendly island with plenty of dog parks, restaurants that have outdoor patios, and even hotels or vacation rentals that are okay with your furry friends.
Final Thoughts: Best Anna Maria Island Beaches
If you’re looking for a beautiful beach destination to visit, Anna Maria Island should be at the top of your list! With white sand and crystal clear water, these beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and all sorts of other activities.
There’s also plenty to do on the island itself, from shopping and dining to kayaking and fishing. So what are you waiting for? Plan your perfect getaway to Anna Maria Island today!
