Nearly seven and one-half miles long, the western shore of Anna Maria
Island is an arc of white sand beach, gently curving along the unbelievably blue waters of
the Gulf of Mexico. Pelicans and seagulls wheel and dive against azure skies. Intriguing
bays and bayous wind along the east shore, where graceful mangroves retain much of the
Island's natural beauty.
Anna Maria Island's charm lies in its congenial air of unhurried, subtropical living. The
three small municipalities on the Island each have their own character, from Bradenton
Beach in the south, through Holmes Beach, the center of the Island, to tranquil Anna Maria
in the north. |
Photo courtesy of Jack Elka
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Recreation for most starts on the beach, but may go much further afield for the
adventurous. Many opt for sailing, power boating, sail boarding or jet-skiing. Rentals and
lessons are available. There are playgrounds and parks, tennis and shuffleboard courts,
with a library, community center, art groups and little theatre providing other pastimes. |
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Dozens of small boutiques and shopping centers are scattered about the
Island offering far more than the usual tourist souvenirs. More accommodations, giving you
the opportunity to design a vacation which suits your dreams... and your pocketbook.
Dining ranges from quaint pubs and bars to magnificent waterfront restaurants, nearly all
featuring fresh seafood from local waters. The Island is home to six churches. |
And all of Florida's favorite attractions: championship golf, Busch Gardens, Walt Disney
World, Epcot Center, Sea World, Kennedy Space Center, Marineland, and Cypress Gardens are
within easy driving distance. |
Though Anna Maria Island's lifestyle is laid back and easy, a vacation here will give you
the best of everything. Come visit Anna Maria Island -- your island in the sun.
Just south of Tampa Bay and a few miles west of Bradenton, Anna Maria Island is easily
reached by I-75 and I-275, US 41 and US 301. |
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Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota are all within an hour's drive.
Bradenton-Sarasota Airport offers regularly scheduled commercial flights. And the
Intracoastal Waterway is only a few hundred yards east of the Island.
Swept by mild westerly breezes, the Island is virtually air-conditioned year round.
Average annual temperature is 71.4 degrees, varying from a low average of 55.3 in January
to an average high of 81.6 in August. |
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First named Anna Maria Cay by the Spanish in the 1500's, it was known for
a time as Palm Key by sailors for the royal palms planted on the north point to aid in
navigation. The first American settlers arrived in 1840. |
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