Anna Maria Island is a mecca for sun lovers, lovers, and happy families. And it's also a real draw for those who like spending time dangling a shrimp in the hope of hooking into the big one.
Well, what could be more relaxing than spending a day attempting to catch dinner? With the sun shining, a cold drink in your hand, and some good company, you probably won’t care whether the big one gets away, so long as you’re taking it easy.
A lot of folks head for the three bay-side piers for the simple fact that you don’t need a licence and there is a ready supply of bait on hand (although it tends to be on the pricey side). Alternatively you could grab some shrimp from any of the bait shops on the island and head over to the pier on Manatee County public beach, where people fish out of holiday season with some success.
You can also fish from the beaches, but remember to check for regulations as they tend to change quite often. For the most up-to-date advice go to www.MyFlorida.com/fwc or call 1(888) Fish-Florida.
One of the best ways to be sure of taking home some fish is to employ the services of one of the many charter captains setting sail from or nearby Anna Maria Island. Taking a charter trip means you don’t have to worry about getting your bait, tackle, license or a lack of local knowledge – that’s where these guys come in. From heading out into the bright blue yonder in search of the gulf’s deep water species, to stalking the flats and backwaters in search of some hard-fighting prey, Anna Maria Island has a fishing experience for everyone – all you have to do is haul ’em in.
Friday 27 February 2009
Tuesday 24 February 2009
Walk on the water on AMI
No vacation to Anna Maria Island is complete without a wander along one or all of the four piers jutting out into the pure blue waters surrounding the island. However, only one dips its foundations into the Gulf’s waters which is what makes the one at Manatee County public beach so unique. It might be a little basic, but it’s a brilliant spot to watch the sun go down on another day in paradise.
Of the other, bay-side piers, the Rod n Reel is a great spot to enjoy a cold beer and enjoy some simple but delicious food as you watch the pier rats try to haul in the catch of the day. Anna Maria City Pier is much bigger and can get a little crowded (could be something to do with the fact that it’s free to fish) but the restaurant is popular with locals and again it has nice views of the Skyway.
Bradenton Beach City Pier is bigger still, with plenty of room to wander out and watch the boats sail by and under the Manatee Bridge as you relax on one of the swing chairs. Rotten Ralphs restaurant is open all day for filling food if you get hungry doing all that.
If you're coming to Anna Maria Island don't forget to book into the best the place has to offer in vacation rentals. Check out the wonderful new Palm Villa for example.
Of the other, bay-side piers, the Rod n Reel is a great spot to enjoy a cold beer and enjoy some simple but delicious food as you watch the pier rats try to haul in the catch of the day. Anna Maria City Pier is much bigger and can get a little crowded (could be something to do with the fact that it’s free to fish) but the restaurant is popular with locals and again it has nice views of the Skyway.
Bradenton Beach City Pier is bigger still, with plenty of room to wander out and watch the boats sail by and under the Manatee Bridge as you relax on one of the swing chairs. Rotten Ralphs restaurant is open all day for filling food if you get hungry doing all that.
If you're coming to Anna Maria Island don't forget to book into the best the place has to offer in vacation rentals. Check out the wonderful new Palm Villa for example.
Friday 20 February 2009
Free and easy on Anna Maria
The best things about Anna Maria Island are free, which is why so many people come here. The sunsets are free, the sunshine is free, and the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico are free.
You won’t feel like doing much once you get that pure white sand between your toes, but that isn’t to say you shouldn’t make the most of your stay. So here is our guide to the best sandy spots, shady trees and cool water. – plus some unforgettable experiences that won’t cost a dime.
With Anna Maria Island being one long beach on the Gulf side, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to places to enjoy the surf to yourself. Hardly surprisingly, the quietest spots tend to be those out-of-the-way places where parking is awkward.
Bean Point at the northern tip of the island is a fantastic spot to enjoy an evening stroll among the dunes and gently swaying sea oats. You will need to park in one of the residential roads up around North Bay Blvd or North Shore Drive and walk through the paths to the beach, but it’s well worth the effort.
Coquina Park is another great spot, away from the crowds, right at the other end of the island. There is parking just off Gulf Drive South, before you hit the bridge over Longboat Pass, and it is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the quiet. It’s also a great area for birdwatching and keeping an eye out for pods of dolphins as they make their way from the bay to the sea.
For a slightly different view of things, try Bayfront Park in the north-east of the island, between the Rod n Reel and City piers. It’s a lovely wide open space, with room enough for the kids to run around, some picnic tables and benches and is an ideal place to watch the boats travel to and fro in Anna Maria Sound under some shady trees.
But, if it’s sand and sun you’ve come for, the whole seven miles of sand are yours to enjoy. Or, if you want to take home a memento of your visit in the form of a shell, some of the best spots to adopt the ‘Anna Maria Stoop’ are found at either extreme of the island, again away from the main parking areas.
You won’t feel like doing much once you get that pure white sand between your toes, but that isn’t to say you shouldn’t make the most of your stay. So here is our guide to the best sandy spots, shady trees and cool water. – plus some unforgettable experiences that won’t cost a dime.
With Anna Maria Island being one long beach on the Gulf side, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to places to enjoy the surf to yourself. Hardly surprisingly, the quietest spots tend to be those out-of-the-way places where parking is awkward.
Bean Point at the northern tip of the island is a fantastic spot to enjoy an evening stroll among the dunes and gently swaying sea oats. You will need to park in one of the residential roads up around North Bay Blvd or North Shore Drive and walk through the paths to the beach, but it’s well worth the effort.
Coquina Park is another great spot, away from the crowds, right at the other end of the island. There is parking just off Gulf Drive South, before you hit the bridge over Longboat Pass, and it is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the quiet. It’s also a great area for birdwatching and keeping an eye out for pods of dolphins as they make their way from the bay to the sea.
For a slightly different view of things, try Bayfront Park in the north-east of the island, between the Rod n Reel and City piers. It’s a lovely wide open space, with room enough for the kids to run around, some picnic tables and benches and is an ideal place to watch the boats travel to and fro in Anna Maria Sound under some shady trees.
But, if it’s sand and sun you’ve come for, the whole seven miles of sand are yours to enjoy. Or, if you want to take home a memento of your visit in the form of a shell, some of the best spots to adopt the ‘Anna Maria Stoop’ are found at either extreme of the island, again away from the main parking areas.
Tuesday 17 February 2009
Let's go ride a bike...
Let's take a look at some of the activities you can get up to on Anna Maria Island, starting with cycling and walking.
Anna Maria Island is small enough to explore by foot or by bike, and both offer visitors some of the best ways to truly enjoy all it has to offer.
You can rent a bike from a number of companies on the island, some will even deliver to your door. Then you are free to explore. The main cycle path on Anna Maria Island starts at Coquina Beach and goes almost the entire length of the island and is marked on the main road. If you want to go your own way there are many side roads where there is less traffic and if you follow the signs to Key Royale, almost an island in itself in Holmes Beach, there are plenty of interesting roads to ride down. The beauty of getting there on a bike is that you can park them much closer to some of the out-of-the-way spots, like Coquina Beach, Bean Point and the Anna Maria State Park.
You can also ride south off the island and on to Longboat Key, which has cycle paths on shoulders on the main road, Gulf of Mexico Drive.
Walkers tend to concentrate on the seven miles of beach for which Anna Maria is famous. But, utilising the trolley service to the fullest is perhaps the best way to enjoy a tour on foot. Some of the safest and most relaxing walking routes are in Anna Maria City, around the quieter northern tip of the island. Just pick up a map from the Chamber of Commerce and go explore!
Anna Maria Island is small enough to explore by foot or by bike, and both offer visitors some of the best ways to truly enjoy all it has to offer.
You can rent a bike from a number of companies on the island, some will even deliver to your door. Then you are free to explore. The main cycle path on Anna Maria Island starts at Coquina Beach and goes almost the entire length of the island and is marked on the main road. If you want to go your own way there are many side roads where there is less traffic and if you follow the signs to Key Royale, almost an island in itself in Holmes Beach, there are plenty of interesting roads to ride down. The beauty of getting there on a bike is that you can park them much closer to some of the out-of-the-way spots, like Coquina Beach, Bean Point and the Anna Maria State Park.
You can also ride south off the island and on to Longboat Key, which has cycle paths on shoulders on the main road, Gulf of Mexico Drive.
Walkers tend to concentrate on the seven miles of beach for which Anna Maria is famous. But, utilising the trolley service to the fullest is perhaps the best way to enjoy a tour on foot. Some of the safest and most relaxing walking routes are in Anna Maria City, around the quieter northern tip of the island. Just pick up a map from the Chamber of Commerce and go explore!
Friday 13 February 2009
Guide to Bradenton Beach
Now we've looked at some of the history of the island, let's take a look at the three city communities which make up Anna Maria.
Starting in the south, Bradenton Beach has a very distinct atmosphere, where you're never far from a beach or a good restaurant. It's also home to the historic Bridge Street arcade of shops, which finish with the sandy beaches of the gulf coast at one end, and the restored city pier at the other.
Bradenton Beach also has Coquina beach, a long stretch of white sugar sand with plenty of parking where you can watch birds and dolphins from the shore. It's a quiet and peaceful spot, characterized by its lack of building and shade from the trees.
This community has just restored their City Pier and welcomes anyone wanting to fish for their dinner along with those who just want to sit down at the pier restaurant for a grouper sandwich and watch the fisherman on the pier. Bradenton Beach has quite a few resorts, although none is too big to spoil the ambiance.
Along the gulf side you'll also find a variety of restaurants where you can view the beautiful sunsets.
Next we'll take a look at Holmes Beach in the center of the island.
Starting in the south, Bradenton Beach has a very distinct atmosphere, where you're never far from a beach or a good restaurant. It's also home to the historic Bridge Street arcade of shops, which finish with the sandy beaches of the gulf coast at one end, and the restored city pier at the other.
Bradenton Beach also has Coquina beach, a long stretch of white sugar sand with plenty of parking where you can watch birds and dolphins from the shore. It's a quiet and peaceful spot, characterized by its lack of building and shade from the trees.
This community has just restored their City Pier and welcomes anyone wanting to fish for their dinner along with those who just want to sit down at the pier restaurant for a grouper sandwich and watch the fisherman on the pier. Bradenton Beach has quite a few resorts, although none is too big to spoil the ambiance.
Along the gulf side you'll also find a variety of restaurants where you can view the beautiful sunsets.
Next we'll take a look at Holmes Beach in the center of the island.
Tuesday 10 February 2009
Where it all began
We've looked at where Anna Maria Island is, but who discovered it, and when did it turn into today's vacation paradise?
Well, the area was first inhabited by the Timucan and Caloosan American Indian tribes, but the recorded history of the Island is said to have begun around1530 when Spanish explorers such as Hernando DeSoto claimed the entire area for the Spanish Crown. However, in 1892 George Emerson Bean (after whom Bean Point was named) became the first permanent resident on the Island and homesteaded much of what is now the city of Anna Maria.
In the early 1900s, Bean began to develop the Island with the Anna Maria Beach Company which laid out streets, built sidewalks and houses and installed a water system. During this time the pretty Roser Memorial Community Church, was built by George Roser in memory of his mother. He was the creator of the Fig Newton that he eventually sold to Nabisco Brands. This church still stands and is used by some Islanders.
For years the Island was only accessible by boat. It was not until 1921 that a wooden bridge was constructed connecting Anna Maria Island to the mainland. The bridge extended westward from the historic fishing village of Cortez over to the island. Bradenton Beach fishing pier at the end of Bridge Street is the western end of that original bridge.
Today the island remains a mixture of residential homes, vacation properties and businesses existing in harmony with the landscape and enhancing its small-town heritage. The year-round and seasonal residents who enrich the local population come from throughout the Americas as well as Europe and the Far East.
Take the time to visit the Anna Maria Island Historical Society office in Anna Maria City which houses many old photographs which will give you a fuller understanding the island way of life during the last century.
Well, the area was first inhabited by the Timucan and Caloosan American Indian tribes, but the recorded history of the Island is said to have begun around1530 when Spanish explorers such as Hernando DeSoto claimed the entire area for the Spanish Crown. However, in 1892 George Emerson Bean (after whom Bean Point was named) became the first permanent resident on the Island and homesteaded much of what is now the city of Anna Maria.
In the early 1900s, Bean began to develop the Island with the Anna Maria Beach Company which laid out streets, built sidewalks and houses and installed a water system. During this time the pretty Roser Memorial Community Church, was built by George Roser in memory of his mother. He was the creator of the Fig Newton that he eventually sold to Nabisco Brands. This church still stands and is used by some Islanders.
For years the Island was only accessible by boat. It was not until 1921 that a wooden bridge was constructed connecting Anna Maria Island to the mainland. The bridge extended westward from the historic fishing village of Cortez over to the island. Bradenton Beach fishing pier at the end of Bridge Street is the western end of that original bridge.
Today the island remains a mixture of residential homes, vacation properties and businesses existing in harmony with the landscape and enhancing its small-town heritage. The year-round and seasonal residents who enrich the local population come from throughout the Americas as well as Europe and the Far East.
Take the time to visit the Anna Maria Island Historical Society office in Anna Maria City which houses many old photographs which will give you a fuller understanding the island way of life during the last century.
Friday 6 February 2009
Welcome to Anna Maria Network
Hello and welcome to a brand new blog about Anna Maria Island, a jewel of a place on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
I hope to be bringing you regular news of the island, as well as advice on where to eat, drink, shop, relax and what to do for fun in this great place. I guess I should start with a bit of a brief guide to the island, which has grown from being largely uninhabited at the start of last century to how it is today, connected to the mainland by two bridges and recognised the world over as one of the most relaxing and unspoilt vacation destinations in the States.
Anna Maria Island may only be just over seven miles long but it hosts three separate cities – Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach – each with its own administration and city hall. Each of these three tiny cities has its own individual village character but all are populated with friendly, easy-going inhabitants. The longer you stay, the more you will come to recognise and appreciate the differences.
The cornerstone of the philosophy of the island’s governments has been preservation of the ‘Old Florida’ heritage. Throughout the decades, local city governments have worked diligently to adhere to this aim and today Anna Maria Island has just two structures that are higher than three stories.
All three cities have wonderful restaurants, shopping, and both gulf and bay front beaches. The whole island has a congenial air of relaxed charm, no one is in any particular hurry, but nothing seems like too much trouble.
Anna Maria Island’s weather has distinct seasons. The annual average temperature is 74.8 degrees Fahrenheit. In mid-October, the summer Caribbean trade winds that bring the sun and warm breezes to our island are blocked by cooler weather from the north and the temperatures drop to the 70s overnight, but the days are mostly warm and sunny. By spring, the cloudless, dry days generally reach temperatures in the 70s and 80s, with cooler evenings.
Afternoons are punctuated by ‘sea breezes’ from the gulf which drop at sunset. The trade winds typically influence the climate by mid-May with daytime temperatures up to around the 90 degree mark. At this time of year a favorite occupation is strolling down to the beach in the evenings to watch the spectacular sunsets lighting up the whole sky.
Check back for more about Anna Maria Island every day, and if you have any memories, top tips or just observations then please let us know by commenting on this blog.
I hope to be bringing you regular news of the island, as well as advice on where to eat, drink, shop, relax and what to do for fun in this great place. I guess I should start with a bit of a brief guide to the island, which has grown from being largely uninhabited at the start of last century to how it is today, connected to the mainland by two bridges and recognised the world over as one of the most relaxing and unspoilt vacation destinations in the States.
Anna Maria Island may only be just over seven miles long but it hosts three separate cities – Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach – each with its own administration and city hall. Each of these three tiny cities has its own individual village character but all are populated with friendly, easy-going inhabitants. The longer you stay, the more you will come to recognise and appreciate the differences.
The cornerstone of the philosophy of the island’s governments has been preservation of the ‘Old Florida’ heritage. Throughout the decades, local city governments have worked diligently to adhere to this aim and today Anna Maria Island has just two structures that are higher than three stories.
All three cities have wonderful restaurants, shopping, and both gulf and bay front beaches. The whole island has a congenial air of relaxed charm, no one is in any particular hurry, but nothing seems like too much trouble.
Anna Maria Island’s weather has distinct seasons. The annual average temperature is 74.8 degrees Fahrenheit. In mid-October, the summer Caribbean trade winds that bring the sun and warm breezes to our island are blocked by cooler weather from the north and the temperatures drop to the 70s overnight, but the days are mostly warm and sunny. By spring, the cloudless, dry days generally reach temperatures in the 70s and 80s, with cooler evenings.
Afternoons are punctuated by ‘sea breezes’ from the gulf which drop at sunset. The trade winds typically influence the climate by mid-May with daytime temperatures up to around the 90 degree mark. At this time of year a favorite occupation is strolling down to the beach in the evenings to watch the spectacular sunsets lighting up the whole sky.
Check back for more about Anna Maria Island every day, and if you have any memories, top tips or just observations then please let us know by commenting on this blog.
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