Anna Maria Island is located on Florida's Gulf coast 40 miles south of
Tampa Bay and 7 miles west of Bradenton Florida. The island is the northern most of a
string of barrier islands that stretch along the coast in a southerly direction.
Surprisingly Anna Maria Island comprises three very unique cities (villages),
Bradenton Beach on the southern tip of the island,
Holmes Beach in the middle, and Anna Maria on the
northern tip.
The sugar white sand beaches and crystal blue waters extend the entire length of the
islands seven mile coast line. This isn't a place where you go to the beach/ When you
are on Anna Maria Island you are at the beach. The island is rimmed with towering
Australian pines, some as high as 60 feet, magnificent palms, sea oats swaying in the
Gulf breeze and abundant bird life that soar against the bright blue skies.
Anna Maria Island Florida is affectionately known as The Island in the Sun and is
Florida's best kept secret. With Gulf temperatures averaging 84 degrees and 361 days of sunshine
per year the surrounding waters of Anna Maria Island are known as the nursery because of the large
number of dolphins that raise their young here. When walking or dining on Anna Maria Island’s
four gorgeous beaches or its surrounding coast line it is not uncommon to see dolphins playing.
 With the island's laid back charm and leisurely unhurried living, speed limits are
restricted to 25mph - 35mph throughout most of the island. This tropical paradise also offers
free trolley service for both tourists and residents. A car is not necessary when
vacationing on the island or you could park your car for your entire vacation. The
trolley tours the island from 6:00 am - 10:30 pm and runs every 20-30 minutes. For
your convenience the trolley stops right in-front of our Anna Maria Island beach rental condo.
Anna Maria Island Florida is accessed by 3 draw bridges; two from
the mainland and one from Longboat Key.
Most residents travel Anna Maria Island by bicycle, electric car or boat. Tourist have the same
options of traveling Anna Maria Island Florida as well as FREE trolley service, scooters or automobile.
Anna Maria Island is completely surrounded by four tropical bodies of water and is
accessible by two drawbridges from the mainland and one from Longboat Key where you
will discover Sarasota. This tropical island paradise offers you seven miles of the
most beautiful and peaceful white sand found anywhere in the world lined with fishing
piers, 150 miles of waterfront, waterfront restaurants, three waterfront parks crystal
clear blue waters, Gulf temperatures averaging 84 degrees, 361 days of sunshine per year
and memories that last forever. See Things to do!
ANNA MARIA ISLAND HISTORY:
Visit the Anna Maria Island Historical Society for a look at this island paradise in its original form ,when it was discovered by local Indian tribes the Timucan and Caloosan American Indian tribes and then by Spanish explorers (including Hernando DeSoto) in
the name of the Spanish Crown.
In 1892 George Emerson Bean 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, John Roser built the first house on of worship, Roser Memorial Community Church, in memory of his mother. Roser was the creator of the Fig
Newton, which he eventually sold to Nabisco Brands. Roser Memorial Community Church still stands and attends to the spiritual needs of Islanders.
Typical of the early buildings is the present Island Playhouse, which was built on the mainland. It was transported to the Island by barge and has served the community during its long life as church, school, social and city hall.
The Magnolia Avenue School was built in the early 1900s and has since been replaced with the Anna Maria Island Elementary School, which is located in the City of Holmes Beach. The present school draws students from north Longboat Key as well as Anna Maria Island, it has a student body Just under of 400 house in a new Multi-million dollar campus facility
For years the only way to the Island was by boat. It was not until 1921 that Anna Maria was physically connected to the mainland by a wooden bridge that extended westward from the fishing village of Cortez to the Island. The Bradenton Beach fishing pier is the
western end of that original bridge.
Throughout the developmental period of the Island, local city governments have worked diligently to preserve the heritage of This "Island In The Sun" - Anna
Maria Island.
THE COMMUNITIES:
Anna Maria
Anna Maria (population 1876) is located on the northern tip of the island. Anna Maria
Bayfront Park is located here and has a fishing Pier overlooking Tampa Bay.
There are no facilities here but the serene beach has an "old Florida" feel.
Anna Maria offers primarily single family homes. This is a quiet residential community with an
abundance of rental homes and cottages. Beach access can be obtained by traveling some of the
side streets along the gulf. Most residents prefer to ride their bikes, as the "city" is truly a
quaint little village.
Pine Street serves as the main thoroughfare, leading from bay to beach. Charming family stores
and breakfast cafes are housed in quaint Florida cottages as well as a shopping center.
Inspired by its natural beauty, many artists reside in the area where there works can be
found in nearby galleries.
Holmes Beach
Located in the middle of the island between Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach is a
600-acre village perched on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. This is the largest community
(population 5040) on Anna Maria Island. This area offers a residential mixed areas of shopping,
single family homes, a few resorts, motels and cottages. This is where the grocery stores, banks,
internet café, post office and a public library are located. A public beach featuring a concession
stand, life guard shacks, the Café on the beach restaurant and beach patio is located directly on
the Gulf of Mexico. Nearby restaurants, water sport rentals beach shops, gift shops and boutiques
make this a vibrant active community.
Bradenton Beach
The village Bradenton Beach (population 2000) is located on the southern tip of Anna
Maria Island and oriented toward vacationers who come to enjoy the surrounding beaches.
Coquina Beach and
Cortez Beach are here on the south end. There are lifeguards, picnic areas with grills,
lots of pine trees for shade, restrooms, showers, a playground and concessions. The ambiance of
the island, the old Florida flavor, is protected by laws that limit the size and number of buildings.
This community has had a recent face-lift with historic Bridge Street the focal point for
interesting shopping. There are regular Bridge Street special events such as "Movie Night",
"Mardi Gras", Art Shows, Car Shows, etc. - It's a fun place to be. You can pamper yourself at a
day spa as well as enjoy fine dining and nightly entertainment.
 Flanking Bridge Street is
Coquina Beach; a 96- acre Australian pine shaded oasis of beauty. Toward the southern most point,
on the bay side, are sandy paths lined with lush foliage leading to Sarasota Bay for viewing
many species of water and shore birds.
Bradenton
Two draw bridges located on the north and south end of the island provide access to the mainland
where you will discover the city of Bradenton, Florida located on the southern most part of Tampa
Bay between St. Petersburg and Sarasota. While Manatee County's shorelines are undoubtedly the most
popular destination for sun seekers the Bradenton area offers an abundance of attractions,
activities and conveniences.
Bradenton offers its own airport (Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, SRQ). Also
Tampa International
Airport and St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport are only an hours drive away. Car rentals are available at all airports as well as limo service
to the island.
The Village of the Arts is located in downtown Bradenton at 12th Street and 11th Avenue where
artisans live, work and sell from their studios is the new crown jewel of the downtown. Also in Bradenton is ArtCenter Manatee
offering gallery exhibitions, art classes for adults and children as well as lectures and workshops. Island Gallery West is
in Holmes Beach on the island and offers free demonstrations during season.
Bradenton, Florida is a shopping paradise featuring the Desoto Square
Mall where you will find familiar department stores such as Macy's JC Penny, Burdines and Sears.
An open-air farmer's market is held along the historic cobblestone Main Street of Bradenton, and
the Red Barn Flea Market & Plaza, one of Florida's most unique shopping experiences,
featuring more than 600 retail stores and flea market style booths. The Bradenton Wal-Mart Super
Center is located less than ten minutes from
our Anna Maria Island vacation rental condo.
 Bradenton Florida is virtually surrounded by water and threaded by various waterways, boating and
fishing are amongst its most popular activities. Some 30 plus marinas and eight boat ramps are
available to serve this thriving pastime, making it all the easier for anglers to access the Gulf
of Mexico, not to mention the region's bays, rivers and bayous.
Golf is also another favorite
pastime, and with more than two dozen public and private courses from which to choose - not to
mention at least 200 more within a short drive - Manatee County and its neighboring communities
are a virtual golfing paradise.
 Bradenton Florida also offers two hospitals, theaters, an abundance of restaurants, historic
parks, the South Florida Museum and Bishop Planetarium where you can see Snooty, our long-time
resident Manatee.
Contact us now to book your vacation in paradise. Call Terry or Sandy at 905-579-4996.
Click HERE to email us. Our fax # is 905-433-0720
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