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.
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