Are you looking for the best beaches in Anna Maria Island FL? If yes, then you have come to the right place. In this article, I will be sharing the ultimate list of beaches on Anna Maria Island that you must explore!
Anna Maria Island is one of the best places to visit in Florida and is home to the best beaches in the world!
It is located an hour from Tampa Bay and is known to be the Number 1 beach vacation destination in the world. Enjoy the 1,200 miles of coastline comprising white sandy beaches and turquoise waters with sunny, warm weather.
With lots of delectable restaurants, luxurious resorts, and one-story bungalows, this is a great place to plan a vacation with your friends and family.
That’s not all, you will also come across a wide range of birds on the island such as herons, pelicans, eagles, cranes, and more. So, if you are a nature or animal lover, then this is a good place to visit.
So, if you are looking to spend time on the nicest beaches in Anna Maria Island, then check this article on the 9 Best Beaches in Anna Maria Island Florida.
Where is the Clearest Water on Anna Maria Island?
If you are searching for the Anna Maria Island beaches with the clearest waters, then you should check out the Manatee Public Beach.
The clear water is perfect for swimming and there are lots of facilities available such as lifeguards, showers, public washrooms, and more.
Another place where you can enjoy the clearest water on Anna Maria Island is Holmes Beach. The crystal-clear water of this beach is ideal for surfing, bodyboarding, and so on. This is truly one of the best things to do on Amelia Island!
What is the Least Crowded Beach on Anna Maria Island?
If you wish to stay away from the crowded beaches of Anna Maria Island, then you should visit Bean Point Beach on the island.
This is the best beach in Anna Maria Island to watch the sunset and offers more privacy and seclusion than others.
So, if you are looking for a quiet beach in Florida to relax, then do check out Bean Point Beach on Anna Maria Island.
9 Best Beaches In Anna Maria Island FL You Must Visit
Manatee Public Beach
If you are looking for family-friendly Anna Maria Island beaches, then you cannot go wrong with Manatee Public Beach.
Located in Manatee County, the beach is easily accessible from the end of Highway 64. It is also located close to Bradenton and Holmes beaches and features free parking for everyone.
One of the best things about this beach is that it is just a few steps from the parking lot, making it easier to transfer your stuff from the car. Moreover, you can also use the free trolley service available here and get dropped off at any of the access points of the beach.
It is undoubtedly one of the top beaches of Anna Maria Island for family outings and offers a variety of facilities and services. There is a playground, volleyball courts, restrooms, public showers, picnic tables, and more available on the beach.
However, if you wish to relax then you can lay in the sun or enjoy a swim through the turquoise blue water of the Gulf of Mexico. Don’t worry, there are lifeguards on this beach so, it is safe to swim here.
For food, there are lots of dining options available here. You can sit on the beach under an umbrella and enjoy a delicious meal while enjoying the ocean views.
If you prefer to cook your own food, there are grills and picnic tables available as well here for use.
Furthermore, this is one of the few beach spots on Anna Maria Island where you can witness turtles nesting. Make sure to keep your distance though and not disturb the nests while admiring it.
Overall, this is one of the best beaches in Anna Maria Island FL if you wish to spend a full day on the beach.
Bean Point Beach
Located at the northernmost tip, Bean Point Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Anna Maria Island.
This is one of the best beach spots in Anna Maria Island for watching sunsets and offers privacy like no other beach on the island. Since the beach is secluded and wide-open, it makes the best spot for anyone who is looking to spend some quiet time away from the crowd.
Named after George Emerson Bean, the first resident of the island, Bean Point Beach lacks all the basic amenities. You won’t find lifeguards, washrooms, vendors, etc. here which is why it is so quiet and secluded.
There is no private parking space as well so, it can be a struggle to park your car around the beach when visiting. But if all this doesn’t bother you, then it surely makes for the perfect romantic getaway.
That’s not all, this is also one of the best beaches on Anna Maria Island to watch birds and wildlife. From dolphins to sea turtles, you can see all kinds of animals here.
One thing to remember about Bean Point Beach is that the water current is quite strong so, swimming is not recommended on this beach.
Coquina Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches in Florida, Coquina Beach is located on the southernmost tip of Anna Maria Island.
This gorgeous beach is a paradise for nature lovers with lots of activities to indulge in. There are nature hikes, dolphin watching, deep-sea fishing trips, angling, and more to enjoy on this beach.
You can also head to the nearby Leffis Key Park and hike through the beautiful mangroves.
Behind the beach, you will find a line of Australian pine trees under which there is a walkway perfect for strolls.
The long and slender beach is easily accessible and offers clear, shallow water which is ideal for swimming. There are lifeguard towers strategically places throughout the beach to offer support and rescue to anyone who needs it.
Out of the list of beaches on Anna Maria Island, this is the perfect beach for families. You can find picnic shelters, grills, and lots of space on the beach to spend time with your relatives and family. Plus, there are playgrounds where kids can play on the beach.
So, if you are looking for great beaches on Anna Maria Island for family vacations, then Coquina Beach is the best choice.
Cortez Beach
Cortez Beach is one of the nicest beaches in Anna Maria Island Florida as it is not busy and offers a relaxing atmosphere to visitors. It is easy to see why Anna Maria is ranked as one of the prettiest Islands In Florida on our list!
Although it is one of the popular beaches in Anna Maria Island FL, you won’t be pushed around by people here. So, you can choose to relax on the gorgeous beach or explore the charming shops here.
The water is warm at Cortez Beach and gently touches the white sandy beach. There are also lush green trees and wild grass touching the sand dunes.
You can choose to float or swim in the warm water or relax on this idyllic beach. Build sandcastles, fly kites, or take a dip in the Gulf waters, there are a lot of fun things to do on this beach.
There are also three concrete piers on this beach that make it perfect for swimming.
This is also the place with the best waves in Anna Maria so it is an amazing beach for surfing.
Trust me, Cortez Beach is one of the best vacation beaches in Anna Maria Island FL.
Bradenton Beach
One of the coolest beaches on Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach is perfect for both kids and adults.
Located across the Historic Bridge Street area, Bradenton Beach has both a beautiful beach and is filled with lots of restaurants and shops.
This is a quiet and narrow beach that is connected to Holmes Beach and makes for an amazing walk.
It is one of the most popular beaches in Anna Maria Island due to its spaciousness. So, although there are a lot of people here, you get enough space to enjoy with your friends and family.
The beach also features all basic amenities such as playgrounds, grills, showers, picnic tables, lifeguards, and so on.
From swimming to shelling, there is a lot to do here. Plus, you can indulge in plenty of water sports here such as kayaking, parasailing, jet skiing, and more.
Holmes Beach
Located between Manatee Beach and Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Anna Maria Island Florida.
It is one of the best vacation beaches in Anna Maria Island as there are barely any tourists here due to the private homes and condo complexes.
Although parking is limited for this beach, it is easy to access. Plus, since it is quiet and secluded, you won’t struggle to find a parking spot anyway.
The beach is mostly visited by locals and is perfect for morning/evening jogs or exercises. If you love walking, then you can take a stroll to Holmes Beach from Manatee Beach in the south or Bradenton Beach in the north.
Are you looking for a little adventure? Then you can try activities such as bodysurfing, surfing, bodyboarding, and more here.
This place is also a paradise for shopping addicts and has plenty of jewelry stores, boutiques, and souvenir stores.
If you wish to stay in a beachfront condo, then Holmes Beach is one of the great beaches on Anna Maria Island and the perfect choice for you.
Bayfront Park Beach
If you are traveling with kids to Anna Maria Island, then Bayfront Park Beach is the best beach in Anna Maria Island to visit.
This child-friendly beach is located close to the Anna Maria Island Public Pier and has all the amenities for families. The beautifully manicured park features swings, play structures, picnic tables, and grills.
You can either head to one of the nearby restaurants to eat or enjoy a picnic in the park. If you want to indulge in some fun water activity, you can rent a kayak or a paddleboard and explore the calm waters in front of this beach park.
Bayfront Park is also the best place to try angling and is quite popular among fishermen. Moreover, you can enjoy stunning views of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and Egmont Key from this beach.
It is also one of the best beaches in Anna Maria Island for swimming.
One of the best Anna Maria Island beaches for families, you get lots of amenities here such as bathrooms, public showers, grills, and more.
Also, if you have a dog, you can bring it to a few designated areas in the park and enjoy a happy family day here. Trust me, this is one of the best family-friendly beaches in Florida that you cannot miss.
Beer Can Island Beach
Are you searching for the best beaches near Anna Maria Island? If yes, then one of the best Anna Maria Island beaches to explore is Beer Can Island Beach.
A hidden gem of Central Florida, Beer Can Island Beach is home to lush green trees, turquoise waters, and white sandy beaches.
Do not confuse this with the Beer Can Island in Tampa Bay, the beach is located next to the Longboat Key bridge. It is south of Anna Maria Island and is only a 15-minute drive.
You can hang up your hammock on the beach and laze around a little while reading a book.
One of the best things about Beer Can Island Beach is that it is generally secluded. You will feel like it is your private beach. As a result, you can freely take beach photos to commemorate your vacation here.
Longboat Key Beach
Located at a distance of 20-minute drive, Longboat Key Beach is one of the best beaches near Anna Maria Island FL to visit.
This12 mile-long white sandy beach in Florida features waterfront golf, luxury resorts, and fine dining options. It is also a popular luxury Gulf Coast resort community, making it a perfect spot for luxury family vacationers.
If you are looking for one of the best Anna Maria Island beach vacations, then do plan a visit or stay on this piece of paradise.
You can go on long walks or indulge in outdoor activities on the soft, powdery sand here. The water is blue, calm, and quite blue as well, making it perfect for swimming and other water-related activities.
So, if you are looking for fun beaches to visit in or around Anna Maria Island, do consider Longboat Key Beach.
15 Best Quiet And Secluded Beaches In Florida You Must Visit