The Best Time to Visit Anna Maria Island
If you’re looking for a tropical getaway, look no further than Anna Maria Island in Florida. With its white sand beaches and turquoise waters, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy some sunshine.
But when is the best time to visit Anna Maria Island? One of the biggest factors is the weather. One of the biggest factors for choosing the best time to visit Anna Maria Island is the weather. Which is, unfortunately, something entirely out of our control. But it is something you can plan for.
Visitors flock to Anna Maria Island, or AMI, for a handful of reasons. Some of these reasons might be escaping the frigid cold in other areas of the country, finding a more relaxed vacation spot for a family or friend outing, or even those who want to enjoy the great outdoors.
No matter your reason, you’ll absolutely love this captivating barrier island. If you’re planning your trip and wondering when is the best time to visit, follow along as we cover the general weather and our take on when is the best time to visit.
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When is the Best Time to Visit Anna Maria Island?
There really isn’t one right answer here, at least in our opinion. Again, since people come to the Island for different reasons, it stands that different weather will suit each visitor differently.
Those who are looking for a reprieve from the grueling winters elsewhere might consider visiting during the winter months. These months are a bit cooler but they offer much warmer temperatures than other states during this time of the year. It’s also a lot quieter on the island during this time.
Those looking to experience the best beaches and or outdoor sports like paddleboarding or kayaking might want to opt for summer months into the fall months. This is when the temperatures are warmest and the gulf waters are also warmest to swim in.
Finally, those looking for a more relaxed vacation getaway for a group might just find the spring months the best time to visit. The temperatures are more moderate and the crowds are not as overwhelming as the summer months. But it’s still warm and there’s plenty of things to do on the island!
General – Weather Anna Maria Island
So what kinds of weather does Anna Maria Island experience? i.e. what should you be prepared for before visiting.
Temperatures will naturally vary by season – coldest months from December to February whereas the warmest months will be June through September. You’ll find anywhere from low 50’s in the winter months during the mornings or evenings to highs of 90s in July and August during the day.
Humidity levels vary throughout the year as well – and, as you can expect, summer months are insanely humid. Like wet blanket hanging over you kind of humid. However, being so close to the water does help a little with the humidity levels.
You can expect up to 100% humidity during July through September months. Humidity levels are much lower throughout the rest of the year including in the teens to 20% during the dry season of January-February. Spring months can be from the 20% to 60% range and will be similar from October through December.
There will be far more rainfall during the months of June through September. November through May sees far less rainfall on average than those summer months, and that can be another factor at play for when to visit the island.
Weather – Anna Maria Island by Season
Contrary to popular belief, Florida weather varies and does not remain at a constant 90 degrees all year-round. In fact, the Sunshine State enjoys distinct seasonal changes with temperatures ranging from cool winters to hot summers.
Winter Months
Visiting Anna Maria Island during the winter months (December-February) is an ideal time to escape to warmer weather. The weather is still warm enough to enjoy a vacation, with temperatures ranging from lows in the 50s during the morning and evening to high 70s midday.
This is also the dry season in Florida so you can expect lower humidity and less rain on average, which means less time spent dodging afternoon showers. Plus, there’s still plenty of daylight to enjoy—usually about 10 or 11 hours of sun per day.
Best of all, the crowds are a lot more minimal, meaning you can enjoy more of the best attractions in the area to yourself rather than dealing with swarms of traffic and fighting for a table at the best restaurants in the area.
Spring Months
Spring is a great time to visit Anna Maria Island (March-May). With the days getting longer and the temperatures becoming more moderate, you’ll have the best of both worlds. You’ll enjoy lows in the 60s and highs in the 70s, with higher temperatures towards mid-May as summer approaches.
Meanwhile, mornings and evenings are still cool enough to snuggle up with a book or enjoy an evening stroll on the beach. Plus, you can take advantage of the 12 to 13 hours of sun, so you can make the most of your vacation days with more sun.
And if you’d rather not deal with too much humidity, March and April are better times to visit as the humidity generally ranges from 20-50%, while May is more humid as we inch closer towards summer.
Since Spring months are not the peak travel season, you can also enjoy all the best attractions on Anna Maria Island without as much of a crowd. All in all, the spring season is one of the best times to visit Anna Maria Island!
Summer Months
Summer on Anna Maria Island is a favorite time for many visitors (June-August). The long days of sunshine, warm temperatures, and outdoor activities make it perfect for a getaway.
The temperatures can often reach into the low 90s during the day, so it best to plan outdoor activities early or later in the day to avoid the heat. Humidity can also often be quite high, making it feel even hotter. There is however usually a brief cool-down shortly after the afternoon rain and thunderstorms that typically occur daily in the summer months.
Despite the heat, summer is a great time to visit Anna Maria Island as it just so happens to be peak tourist season. There is no shortage of attractions, activities, and restaurants to check out – just make sure to book early as prices can be quite expensive. With beautiful beaches, plenty of sunshine and warm waters, you’ll have an unforgettable summer vacation on Anna Maria Island!
Fall Months
The Fall months on Anna Maria Island (September-November) are a great time for visitors to enjoy the best of both worlds – warm days and cooler evenings and mornings. Temperatures range from the mid-60s to 80s, with lower humidity and rainfall than the summer months (except for September). You can still enjoy all of the best beaches and outdoor activities, while taking advantage of the less extreme temperatures.
If you love watersports or outdoor adventures, this is still a great time to visit as the waters are generally still warm in September and parts of October, but cool down after that. Plus, with fewer tourists around, you can actually experience Anna Maria Island without the bustling summer crowds.
So if you’re looking for a less-crowded vacation spot with plenty of outdoor activities and warm weather, look no further; fall is a great time to visit Anna Maria Island!
What to Pack for your Trip to Anna Maria Island
There are several different items that you’ll want to make sure you pack for your trip to Anna Maria Island, depending on the time of the year.
During the warmer months you’ll want to pack breathable fabrics, your swimsuit (obviously!), coverups, sunscreen, beach towels, a great beach bag, and of course your sunglasses. It is the ultimate worst feeling when you are sitting on the beach with an insanely bright sun overhead and you realize you forgot sunglasses.
We also highly recommend bringing a compact umbrella for those afternoon showers that come on a whim here in Florida. Or, a light raincoat if you’re not really an umbrella type of person.
AND we highly recommend eco friendly bug spray. There are a crazy number of bugs down in Florida and they are 100% out and active in the summer months especially.
During the cooler months or middle seasons, we recommend bringing a light jacket. It’ll be cooler in the mornings and evenings but definitely opt for more layers as midday tends to be much warmer.
FAQ about When to Visit Anna Maria Island
If you’re still not sure when to book your visit to AMI, here are some additional questions and answers that might sway you one way or the other.
Depending on what you’re after this might vary. March and April are great times to visit for moderate temperatures and humidity and fewer crowds. Summer is great for warm weather and the beach (big tourist season) while September or October are great for many of the outdoor activities in the area.
Average water temperature in January is in the 60s. Brr. While the water would be quite chilly, technically you could swim in January but it might not be very enjoyable without a wetsuit. It’s best to save that for summertime when the waters are much warmer and more inviting.
The coldest month on Anna Maria Island is usually January, where temperatures range between the mid-50s to low 70s. The best way to enjoy this time of year is by visiting some of the best restaurants, shopping and inside-oriented attractions in the area.
One of the busiest times of the year for Anna Maria Island is the summer season. This is when the best weather and best beach days are found on Anna Maria Island. June through August is considered in season; however, visitors can enjoy Anna Maria Island year-round.
Wrapping Up: Best Time to Visit Anna Maria Island
No matter what season you decide to visit Anna Maria Island, there is something for everyone. Whether it’s the best beach days in summertime or exploring some of the best restaurants and attractions during colder months, Anna Maria Island has so much to offer.
Regardless of when you choose to visit AMI, we guarantee it’ll be a vacation to remember and that you’ll leave feeling more relaxed or even tanner than you were before. Happy Traveling!
What’s your favorite season for the best time to visit Anna Maria Island?
