Beaches
Anna Maria Island is the seven-mile barrier island just over the Cortez Bridge from Bradenton. Three small beach towns — Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and Anna Maria — share the island, each with a slightly different feel. This is the quick guide to which beach suits which kind of day.
698 Gulf Dr S, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
The first beach you reach after crossing the Cortez Road bridge. Three piers for photos, beachside parking (arrive early in season), and walking distance to restaurants and bars on Bridge Street. Slightly less crowded than Manatee Public Beach.
4000 State Road 64, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
The classic family beach. Lifeguards on duty 365 days a year, sand volleyball courts, a playground, and on-site food and beverage concessions. Cross the Manatee Avenue bridge and you're there. The full-service Anna Maria Island experience.
1800 Gulf Dr, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
A mile south of Cortez Beach with the largest and best free parking on the island. Quieter than the busier Anna Maria stretches, with a cafe, restrooms, and a beachside market three days a week. The local pick when the others get crowded.
May 1 – October 31. Loggerhead and green sea turtles come ashore to nest along these beaches, and hatchlings emerge through the fall. It's unlawful to touch, disturb, or photograph (with flash) nesting turtles, hatchlings, or nests.
Practical impact: pack a flashlight with a red-light mode if you plan evening beach walks, fill in any sand holes before you leave, and keep beach gear off the sand at night. The Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch posts updates if you want to follow along.
Arrive before 10 AM in season (December through March) or after 3 PM if you're chasing sunset. Coquina has the largest free parking lots — head south on Gulf Drive past the more central Cortez and Bridge Street areas.
Park once, then take the free Anna Maria Island trolley between beach towns. Runs every 20 minutes from 6 AM to 10:30 PM. You can spend a morning at Coquina, lunch on Bridge Street, and sunset at Manatee Public Beach without moving your car.
We provide pool floats but not beach chairs. If you don't want to haul gear, beach chair and umbrella rentals are available at Manatee Public Beach concessions. Reef-safe sunscreen is appreciated — it's better for the Gulf ecosystem.
The Historic Bradenton Beach Pier at Cortez Beach is worth a stop, even if you don't fish — it's a classic photo spot at sunset and there are usually pelicans hanging around the bait shop.
Check availability and book direct — the beach is fifteen minutes from the front door.
Check availability