About Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is a 1 1/2-hour drive from Tampa and is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa Bay, and the Intracoastal Waterway.
Anna Maria Island on Florida's west coast, just south of Tampa, is a sought-after destination for Floridians and international visitors alike, boasting arguably the whitest and most pristine seven miles of beach in the country.
It was known to the early Timucuan and Calusa Indians, and Hernando de Soto noted it in 1539 as he entered Tampa Bay north of the island.
Madison Post (1815-1867), the former mayor of Tampa, was one of the island's first settlers. According to reports, he named the island after his sister-in-law, Anna, and his wife, Maria.
George Emerson Bean, who homesteaded the north end of Anna Maria Island in 1892, was the first "modern" settler.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, his descendants formed the Anna Maria Beach Company with Charles Roser.
The company laid out streets, sidewalks, platted lots and built houses and a municipal water system.
The island's natural beauty and commitment to limited development (no building is taller than three stories) have proven tasty and satisfying to visitors who cross Florida's inter-coastal waterway to visit the island.
Unlike many Florida beach towns, Anna Maria Island appears unaffected by the relentless commercialism typically associated with beach towns. This is primarily due to the island's commitment to limited and restricted development, which has a significant impact on its visual beauty and natural scale, providing visitors with a refreshingly relaxed visit.
Anna Maria Island, once a sleepy beach community with little national or international recognition, has now become commonplace for the discerning traveler looking to unplug from a fast-paced world.
On the island, you will not find fast food, wi-fi hotspots, or familiar chain establishments, but rather locally owned and operated conveniences ranging from shabby to chic, all with a distinct island flair that is sure to intrigue and satisfy. If you want to relax on a romantic getaway or family beach vacation without spending a fortune on international travel, you've come to the right place. Get off the grid and come enjoy yourself.
Three Cities
The seven miles of Anna Maria Island are divided into three municipalities: the City of Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and Anna Maria. Although it is difficult to distinguish one community from another while traveling around the island, they all have distinguishing characteristics that set them apart, and they all have one thing in common: seven miles of amazing white sand beach.
Bradenton Beach is the southernmost and narrowest town on the island of Manatee. Bridge Street, the heart of the town, is only a few blocks wide but offers plenty of outdoor dining and shopping. The City Pier at one end of the Historic Bridge Street is a calming and quiet way to see the inland waters.
The largest of the three cities is Holmes Beach, located in the island's center. Holmes Beach, which is a little larger than the other cities, has a good mix of hotels and residential areas. Although not a true town center, a large outdoor shopping complex houses a variety of retail and dining establishments.
The City of Anna Maria is the quietest and most residential community on the island. Because there is little retail and hotel lodging, most visitors stay in vacation rental homes or condos. This adds to the tranquility and peace of the island's north end, but most amenities are a short drive away.
Although subtlety unique in their own way all three island communities offer an array of dining and lodging experiences sure to please each individual palate.
Anna Maria Island Newsworthy Articles:
How to Get Here
There are several airports within a three to four-hour drive of Manatee County and Anna Maria Island, but the two most commonly used are Tampa International and Sarasota-Bradenton International. Visit our Getting Here Travel page for all the information you need to get to Anna Maria Island.
A vehicle is not required but highly recommended depending on where you stay on the island, North, Central, or South. There are several services that rent out slow-moving vehicles such as golf carts. To review Island options, go to our Anna Maria Island Shopping information page and select Equipment Rental.
Climate
The climate on the island is typical of the central west coast of Florida, with hot summers and moderate winters, and exceptionally beautiful weather in early spring and late fall.
The yearly temperature on the island is 75 degrees, with winter highs ranging from 75 to 50 and summer highs ranging from 75 to 90. Visit our Anna Maria Island weather page for general weather information for each month of the year.
If you intend on sailing while on the island, be sure to check out our Anna Maria Island wind and tidal information page.