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Anna Maria Island is Undeniably one of Florida's best kept
secrets. Unspoiled. Uncrowded. Where warm sun and gentle breezes meet the calm blue waters
of the Gulf of Mexico. From sun-up to a magnificient west coast sunset, there's plenty of
waterside activities to enjoy. From day sailing to parasailing. Waterskiing to jetskiing.
Deep water fishing or relaxing backwater canoeing, or communing with Florida's most
natural attractions, perhaps a gentle manatee or a friendly
dolphin.
Stretching seven and a half miles along pristine sugar white sand beaches of the Gulf of
Mexico, Anna Maria Island is a perfect retreat for those that truly want to getaway from
it all and discover the charm of old Florida. The island is broken down into three
municipalities, each with it's own distinct style and ambience, Bradenton
Beach, Holmes Beach, and City of Anna Maria. (Offered is the Free
Trolly to take you around the Island.)
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Anna Maria, perhaps the most laid back of the three
municipalities has been popular as a vacation retreat since the early 1900's when it was
first developed by Charles Roser the father of the Fig Newton who made his fortune when he
sold his recipe to Nabisco. Situated on the northern tip of the island, Anna Maria is
surrounded on three sides by water and is characterized by broad sweeping expanses of
white sand beaches over-looking the Gulf of Mexico to the west and quaint fishing piers
overlooking Tampa Bay to the north. These turn of the century fishing piers are the
perfect place to drop in a fishing line, walk off a sumptuous seafood meal and catch up on
local fishing lore.
Bradenton Beach is a
bustling village located at the southern end of Anna Maria Island and grew up around the
first bridge connecting this island community to the mainland. Visitors can easily walk to
most everything in Bradenton Beach, from window shopping at historic Bridge Street's
quaint island shops to waterside dining at some of the island's finest
restaurants, and breakfast at Gulf
Drive Cafe. Vacationers who come to the island to enjoy the beaches will especially enjoy Coquina
Beach, a 96 acre public recreational park overlooking the Gulf of Mexico as well as a walk
through Leffis Key, a pristine, shallow water preserve perfect for viewing wildlife in
their natural habitat. |
