Enjoy a Taste of Florida’s Island Life

After our last blog all about the delights of a daytrip to Daytona Beach, we thought we’d highlight a day out in the other direction, to the Gulf Coast and beautiful Anna Maria Island.

If you haven’t heard of it, it’s part of the series of barrier islands that run for long stretches of the Florida coastline, notably on the Gulf of Mexico side of the peninsula. Just the other side of the city of Bradenton, it is a gorgeous little hideaway that is well worth the drive.

From the ChampionsGate area, and our lovely communities such as The Fountains and The Enclaves at Festival, it is around 100 miles, or just under two hours in driving time, mainly on I-4 and I-75. Turn off the motorway for Bradenton and keep heading west, and you’ll cross the Palma Sola Causeway to the islands.

Turn right at the end of the Causeway and you’re in Anna Maria Island, one of the Gulf Coast’s lesser known but most attractive destinations.

In fact, we’d go as far as to say that, with its mix of history, blissful beaches, delectable dining and beautiful views, you have the recipe for a unique seaside hideaway, even by Florida’s high standards.

The beaches of the Sunshine State are obviously no secret, but the smaller coastal destinations like this are now front and centre – and well worth knowing about.

Historically, the island was one of THE great tourism hot spots going back 100 years or so. The City Pier – built in 1911 and rebuilt several times after hurricane damage, notably after 2017’s Hurricane Irma – welcomed daily steamers from Tampa, Bradenton and Sarasota, each packed with the tourists of the day. Just as it is today, the main attractions were the pristine beaches and plentiful fishing opportunities.

Unlike 1911, it is now connected to the mainland by bridges from both Bradenton and Sarasota, the latter via Longboat Key. It consists of small towns (they call them cities but there is nothing remotely urban about them!) – Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria.

Driving directly from Bradenton brings you to Holmes Beach in the middle of the island. Turning left takes you to busy Bradenton Beach at the southern end, which is the epicentre for the weekend locals but also much of the evening activity on Bridge Street. Turning right takes you into the heart of the older part of the island, the quieter, more distinguished end.

The first thing that will strike you about Anna Maria is the height of it. Or, rather, the lack of height. Island ordnances decree that no building can be more than three storeys tall, hence this is one of the most low-rise developments in Florida. This is also the place to park your car and leave it for the duration of your stay. There is only one main road north-to-south, and car parks are few and far between.

Instead, there is the free Island Trolley, a local bus service that does the rounds of all the main spots from 6am to 10.30pm every day and is about as reliable as it gets. Alternatively – or after hours – you can call up the [Island Monkey Bus](https://www.facebook.com/MonkeyBus/, a fleet of small-scale buses, carts and electric cars that work purely for tips and respond to a quick call almost anywhere on the island.

The beaches on the northern end of the island are the most secluded, from tranquil Bean Point at the top – rated one of the most beautifully secluded spots in the state – south to Palmetto Avenue Beach and finally Manatee Beach at the beginning of Holmes Beach. You simply can’t go wrong on this stretch of coast, and you can walk for miles in either direction.

The biggest beach, though, is Coquina Beach, which basically covers the lower half of the island and is one of the most family-friendly stretches of sand, with lifeguards, restrooms, picnic area and several pleasant cafes.

From the beach you can often see dolphins playing in the (light) waves or manatees lolling next to one of the piers, while there are also a dozen or so fishing charters you can try to sample the great array of angling opportunities – just as they did in the early 20th century!

There are a surprising number of cute shopping possibilities, too, spread over the length of the island but concentrated along Bridge Street and Pine Avenue, with the former more touristy and the latter designed as more with locals in mind. In fact, the Pine Avenue area is a wonderful example of modern, sustainable eco-tourism, as it features energy-saving systems like rain-water capture, solar power, drought-resistant plants and free electric vehicle charging stations.

Full of boutiques and cafes, it also features the super little Anna Maria Historical Society Museum, where you can see the island’s history laid out in graphic detail, the 1913 Roser Chapel and the Historic Green Village, a mixture of modern and 100-year-old buildings that have been melded into Florida’s first Zero Net Energy campus, featuring a general store, deli, Hometown Desserts cafe, art gallery, gift shop and bike rentals.

Finally, there is the dining, and this is another feature Anna Maria Island does really, really well. From the down-home Donut Experiment shop on Pine Avenue to the fine dining of Eliza Ann’s and the Beach Bistro in Holmes Beach, there is a terrific variety, and most of it is enormously tempting. Don’t be afraid to try the locals’ favourites of Poppo’s Taqueria on Pine Avenue or The Ugly Grouper in Holmes Beach, and definitely sample two of the most iconic restaurants.

The Beach House in Bradenton Beach is a great family beachfront hangout with excellent food, superb views and an ideal sunset vibe (with a cocktail or two), while you can kick it up another notch at [The Sandbar](https://www.sandbardining.com/, Anna Maria’s historic lunch and dinner spot. Originally the Bathhouse, for all those visiting tourists to change into their swimming cozzies from 1911-30, it became a diner in 1946 and meandered on its merry way until 1979, when new owners took over and extensively modernised the ramshackle place.

Now it is a beach restaurant, with a handful of tables on the sand, and more on the covered terrace with great views of the Gulf. The food is fresh and local, and the seafood-based cuisine varies from typical Floridian favourites to gourmet specialities like Chargrilled Octopus and succulent Stuffed Shrimp.

The bottom line is that Anna Maria Island may be a small destination, but it packs a LOT into a small area, and you’ll definitely want to see it all!

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photocredit for main image:Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau