Welcome to Anna Maria Island
Laidback island living with luxury amenities and access to mainland Florida
Anna Maria Island is a seven-mile stretch of powdery white sand beaches and luxurious waterfront homes. With its crystal-clear blue water, swaying palm trees, and lush vegetation, Anna Maria Island is a tropical paradise. It’s just a 20-minute drive from Bradenton and an hour's journey from Tampa. Anna Maria Island is ever-popular for those seeking a laidback, tropical escape. The island's warm weather all year round makes it the perfect place to relax and unwind under the sunny skies.
For those who call Anna Maria Island home, it’s far more than just the beaches and weather that drew them in. Rich in classic Florida charm and with stunning views sweeping across the Gulf of Mexico, Anna Maria Island offers everyone a tranquil hideaway from the hustle and bustle of other popular Florida vacation destinations. Visitors can enjoy sunny beach days, swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and boating. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, Anna Maria Island is the perfect destination for your next tropical escape.
What to Love
- Laidback island atmosphere that encourages total relaxation and serenity
- Proximity to mainland Florida, including Bradenton and Tampa
- Pristine beaches and crystal clear waters
- Excellent fishing conditions
- Year-round tropical weather
Local Lifestyle
First settled in the mid-19th century, Anna Maria Island has developed into a vibrant, unique community far from the bustling city centers of major Floridian cities. The island’s beauty, old-world charm, and magnificent homes attract families and individuals from all over the country in search of one thing: the ultimate island hideaway. Today, the community hosts families on extended vacations, those searching for a quiet beach house or holiday home, and the many retirees and empty nesters that have made the island their permanent home.
Properties on the island are typically built in Classic Revival, Key West, and other Mediterranean architectural styles reminiscent of the state’s diverse and colorful history.
Swimming, cycling, and boating in the island’s brilliantly blue waters are favorite pastimes for many, and much of the island’s lifestyle revolves around watersports and fishing activities.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
True to its laidback ambiance, most restaurants and boutiques on Anna Maria Island are casual venues. One unmissable eatery, The Sandbar Restaurant, offers guests incredible, freshly prepared dishes in an outdoor beach setting. The onsite bar also mixes a range of delicious cocktails, perfect for an oceanfront sundowner. Another local favorite, The Waterfront Restaurant, serves freshly caught seafood unlike any other, even offering to cook your catch should you want to feast on the results of your fishing exploits.
For those searching for a break from seafood, Poppo’s Taqueria is a highly-rated Mexican restaurant that, as the name suggests, serves mouth-watering tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. And if you’re in the mood for some island-style shopping, a visit to the island’s central shopping district, Bridge Street, will provide you with all the souvenir boutiques and trendy cafes you could wish for.
Things to Do
An island getaway through and through, Anna Maria Island’s most popular activities involve some form of water sport or boating. You’ll find many residents prefer spending their days swimming and sunbathing on popular beaches like Holmes and Coquina. For a more daring excursion, you can kayak through the island’s many mangroves in search of wildlife like manatees and dolphins. And for the ultimate in luxury, guests can charter a yacht for a sunset cruise. As the sun sets over the emerald waters, guests can enjoy a glass of champagne and take in the breathtaking views of the islands and keys.
