Run out of ideas for weekend activities? Look no further for the complete list of what to do at Anna Maria Island! Read on to enjoy everything from beaches to activates to relaxation.
Coquina Beach and Beach Market
Located at the southern end of Anna Maria Island, Coquina Beach wraps around the tip of the island, providing plenty of white sand. With its relaxing atmosphere, calm waters, and plenty of room, feel free to spread out and enjoy the day. You may even see a few sea turtles laying eggs! The beach has a multitude of amenities including free parking, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, showers, a playground, volleyball courts, and a paved walking path. On-duty lifeguards make it a safe place to swim. Keep an eye on the sea: you might spot a dolphin! Even better, on Sundays and Wednesdays, Coquina Beach hosts a beach market that offers a live band, local artwork, handmade jewelry, apparel, fresh produce, and more!
Wolfmouth Charters are led by Captain Wayne, who will take you fishing not only off Anna Maria but off Lido Key, Longboat Key, and Siesta Key as well. Captain Wayne is dedicated to helping people have a good time by creating memories of the best fishing and scenery on the West Coast of Florida. Focused on making sure you have the most fishing time, Captain Wayne finds the best spots for fishing within six miles of the beach. Don’t feel like taking your fish home for dinner? They also have catch and release specials that use specialized hooks and light tackle techniques that don’t injure the fish so they can be released after a few pictures. These charters also have a five percent-off special. Not into fishing? Wolfmouth Charter also does sunset cruises where you can enjoy the beauty of the ocean and get plenty of photos. George, their friendly heron, will greet you at the dock. Need more persuasion? The Wolfmouth’s adorable mascot, Percy the dog, is available to cruise with you by special invitation. This pooch is loved by kids and feared by fish. Rates are based on group size and range from $200 to $700 for bay and gulf fishing. All of these options mean there’s something for everyone. Book your charter today!
At the end of Manatee Avenue, Manatee Beach is a public beach that's girth provides plenty of acreage to enjoy the day. Join in at the volleyball courts or go snorkeling. There’s free parking, but be sure to get there early as this beach is a year-round favorite. Bring lunch to enjoy at the picnic tables, purchase some concessions, or go to the nearby Anna Maria Island Café that is famous for their all-you-can-eat pancakes. Life guards are on duty to keep the beach safe.
Beach Bums Island Attitude & Kayak Tours
These kayak tours offer a scenic tour of Anna Maria Island. The tour will begin with an orientation on ocean kayaking, proper paddling techniques, and a discussion about the importance of mangroves. The tour will go by red mangroves on the way into Anna Maria Sound, where dolphins are also spotted. Continuing into Bimini Bay, you’ll reach a no wake zone where you may catch sight of some manatees! The tour also includes three intriguing native habitats: a bird rookery, a mangrove island, and an oyster shoal. Try to spot Roseate Spoonbills, Blue Herons, and White Egrets at the bird rookery. Wade into the sea grass at Mangrove island to see fish eggs, hermit crabs, and mullet. Enjoy seeing a ton of sea shells at the oyster shoal. The tour will then move on to Tampa Bay, passing under the City Pier and ending at Bay Front Park. Tours are conducted on a need basis and require a minimum of four people; they can pair you with others if your group is less than four. The tour price is $55 including kayak rental, and you’ll have a choice of single or tandem kayaks.
Discover one of Anna Maria Island’s hidden treasures at Rod and Reel Pier Restaurant which gives you a bite of old Florida charm. They’ve been serving traditional fare, local favorites, and famous fish specials since 1947. Newly renovated, the two-story restaurant sits right out on the Gulf of Mexico and provides casual family dining. Eat inside or on a quaint covered deck to enjoy the view. Whether you dine at breakfast or dinner, you can catch infamous Florida sunrises and sunsets. Their menu includes enough fish for any seafood lover, but they also cater to those who love land fare, too. Be sure to have have a slice of their signature key lime pie! Top off your Old Florida experience by bringing along a fishing pole and casting off the dock for a small fee.
Acqua Aveda Salon, Spa, & Store
Consistent winners of the People’s Choice Award Best Day Spa and Best Hair Salon, Acqua Aveda is focused on making sure you have the best spa experience. The 2,600 square-foot salon is located in historic Downtown Holmes Beach and offers hair styling that ranges from trendy to classic, plant based facials, mineral makeup, natural nails, soothing massages, and body treatments. They also offer styling and spa services for men, too. You can always feel good about Aveda as they strive to set an example of environmental leadership and responsibility. So take a break from the beach and focus on some self-care at a spa with nature at its core.
Anna Maria Paddleboard Rentals
AMI Paddleboarding has brought Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) to Anna Maria Island and are truly passionate about their business. They specialize in teaching first-time paddlers SUP and private paddleboard parties, “board” meetings, and paddleboard adventure trips. They rent paddleboards anywhere from one hour to one week. Starting at half-day rentals, they will deliver boards. Book boards or trips today to try SUP culture.
Blue Water Explorers is owned and operated by Captain Bob Eskew, who has been diving in Florida's West Coast for over 40 years. A USCG-licensed diver and a diving instructor, Captain Bob can’t wait to share his knowledge and love of diving with you. His safety record is impeccable, and he knows where all the best dive sites are. There’s an abundance of marine life in the waters, and even a few ‘regulars’ you might see in addition to the fish swimming through. Most dives are in 40 to 65 feet deep of water, but they also provide specialty dives in 80 to 100 feet deep. When the days are clear, you can get more than 80 feet of visibility, but the average is normally 30 feet. Weary of diving? Captain Bob also offers snorkeling and shelling excursions. Trips leave from the Bradenton Beach Marina on Anna Maria Island. Call (941)798-3483 to book your adventure today!
Turn a normal day into an adventure with something new to do at Anna Maria Island!
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Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay
