Spring Break to Anna Maria Island

 A favorite 3 beach girls spring break destination is Anna Maria Island (AMI) – it has everything we love about a beach getaway, to escape the New England winter/early spring chill: beautiful long beaches, soft white sand, beach bars, local eateries (lots of outdoor dining), live music, small boutique shops.  The island has retained a charming laid back, fun, beach-town vibe. The center of the island, Bridge St., is a very walkable area, making it easy to explore and take a break from cars. There are trollies and golf carts running that you can jump on and off, a great option, and no towering high-rises or huge parking lots to interrupt the scenery.   And lastly, there’s the sunsets, with so many vantage points to capture it from. 

The island was devastated with the hurricane and has been building back and reopening in the prior months and looks like most places are now open. 

Our annual spring break Girl’s Getaway has been in late April-May. With school breaks over, and most of the “snowbirds” having flown north by late April, there is considerable less traffic congestion, and prices for flights and lodging are reduced. And, this time of year, the weather is beautiful! Sunny skies, warm temperatures in the low 80’s, and dry.

The Island

Anna Maria Island is a  7-mile-long barrier island on the Florida Gulf coast. It is home to three communities, each with their own personality: Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach.  Anna Maria, at the northern end is a more residential, quiet area with cozy neighborhoods, locally-owned boutiques and eateries, and the iconic Bean Point Beach. Holmes Beach, located in the middle, has a laid-back blend of residential charm and some fun beachside spots. Bradenton Beach to the south, is the more lively fun center with waterfront restaurants, bars, and home to the hub of the Island, the Bridge Street Pier. 

The Beaches!

You can enjoy a fun day at the beach at any of the beaches of Anna Maria Island. Each one has powdery white sand, stunning blue waters, and unbeatable sunset views. The water is often calm, making it ideal for water sports like kayaking or paddle boarding –  a great way to experience and explore the coastline (our experience is sometimes more calm at the beaches toward the south part of the island). You can rent a kayak or paddleboard from nearby rental shops.

Here’s a guide to help you pick a beach visit, organized by location on the island:

Bradenton, South of Bridge St.

Cortez is a pretty, peaceful beach, with often calm waters, perfect for swimming, or just floating! There’s no concession stands or facilities right on the beach (Public restrooms are available near the intersection of Gulf Drive and Cortez Road West). There’s  multiple access openings along Gulf Drive.It has sections of street parking and a trolley stop at the intersection of Gulf Drive and Cortez Road West. 

Coquina is the fun beach! It has a full service concession stand and a tiki beach bar (our favorite), volleyball nets, a large picnic area nestled in the trees, restrooms and showers. There’s a large, free parking lot. The Coquina Market is open on Wed, Friday & Saturday 10:00 – 2:00 (through end of June). It offers a bit of everything, from fresh produce, arts and crafts, jewelry, apparel and food. Vist the Facebook page for weekly info and vendors.

Longboat Pass 

Be sure to walk to the end of Coquina beach, to Longboat Pass – the waterway before Longboat Key. It’s a picturesque inlet connecting the Gulf of Mexico to Sarasota Bay (Intracoastal Waterway).  The water is often a stunning shade of aqua blue green (see photo below) , and it’s cool to watch the water currents and boats run through the pass. With the palm trees and benches situated along the beach, it’s a great spot for a picnic, or to sit back and relax, read. 

3BG “fit-it-in Fitness” Tip

Walk, run, or bike the path from Cortez Beach to the end of the island, Coquina Beach at Longboat Pass. It’s a flat route, about 1.5 miles (one way), with a boardwalk along much of the route, or sidewalks. It’s alongside the beach, so you can opt to walk the beach for part of the way, or to take a dip on a hot day. There’s many shaded sections as well as benches along the way. And the reward is the destination of scenic Longboat Pass as a mid-point – a scenic spot to catch your breath, take a break, or just soak in the view.

A fun (invigorating) addition to the flat route is to run up the hill (at Longboat Pass beach) and cross the Longboat Key Bridge.  It’s a great view!

Getting There

We have always flown into Tampa Airport. It’s about an hour drive to AMI. However, Sarasota Airport is closer and has recently expanded offering more flight options. Check out Allegiant for some good flight times and prices. We have always rented a car at the airport for easier travel and so we can explore off the island.

Lodging

The past few years we have stayed at the Pelican Cove complex in Bradenton located at 901 Gulf Dr S. The complex offers a tennis/pickleball court, pool, parking space and most importantly across the street from the beach and walkable for morning coffee and restaurants. The unit offers a full kitchen, in unit laundry and porch overlooking the water (across the street).

There’s a wide variety of accommodations on the island including hotels, condos, waterfront cottages, resorts, and luxury homes. Most buildings are under 4 stories. We’ve used local rental agencies, they have been very helpful, and manage a good part of the rentals on the island.

Traveler’s Tip – Parking is limited around the Island. We recommend walking or hopping on the Trolly or golf cart that runs throughout the island.

Hungry?

Anna Maria Island hosts many local gems that have stood the test of time with tourists and locals alike. They serve up great vibes, music, and outdoor dining – all casual, whether it’s lunch, after beach or dinner. Flip flops welcome at most places!

We have 3 dining “Must Visits” for every trip here – each a bit different.

Our first recommendation is our “We’re on vaca!”- welcome tradition – the waterfront Beach House , centrally located by Bridge St. beach”. We sit on the patio, feeling the warm sun. Combine with summer drinks and great food choices, and it’s a great kick-off to our trip. It’s a popular spot for dinner, with front row seats to sunset on the beach. Be sure to check out their beach store, too. For a restaurant store, there’s a nice selection of merchandise, beach vibe of course! Options that don’t feel touristy, just.. beach-y. Perfect to remember your vacation.

Tides Table is just over the Bridge in Cortez, and captures the Old Florida look & feel, serving fresh seafood, often right from the local docks. It is in Cortez Village, a designated National Historic District, and the last working commercial fishing village on the Gulf coast. “3BG Fit in Fitness” Tip: Walk there from Bridge St. It’s about a mile, and you get a scenic coastal experience – look for sea life – pelicans, a dolphin manatee, Osprey. The bridge is a drawbridge, so listen for the bell as it lifts for large vessels in the channel! And it’s a pretty walk back, even in the dark.

Our 3rd favorite is Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant., an excellent dining experience in every way, on pretty Longboat Key. The location is on the Bay-side, and the ambiance is perfect. Seating is either right on the sand, nestled in the trees, or “inside” which is open air dining. The food is outstanding, as well as the servers who truly make dining here more than a meal, but a memorable experience. We celebrated a birthday here, and it was terrific. Of course, it gets booked! So plan ahead; a good time to go is before 5:00.

Casual options, walkable in the Bridge Street area

If you like classic laid-back, tiki Florida vibe, Bridge Tender Tiki Bar, is for you. Located right on the Bay shore, it’s casual fun, music, great for drinks and maybe dinner. Sit at the bar if you can snag a seat (beware.. you might never leave). They also have a super sports bar across the street, over 15 screens if you want to catch a game with your your fav team.

Nothing says vacation like a frozen Daiquiri! The Daiquiri Deck located above the Beach Bazar, has a rooftop view of the Gulf to the Bay . So many creative drink options! Come for the Daiquiri, but the food is great too. The table favorite on a recent night was the Calabacitas Bowl, a flavorful, healthy vegetarian choice (proteins can be added as well). We loved the Mojo Cuban options too – the bowl was outstanding, and the Sandwich with the Fresh Cuban Bread from Ybor City was nice touch). The Wicked Cantina… lives up to it’s name! Great Margaritas, Mexican food, live music, and all day Sunday Happy Hour. It’s very popular, often a long wait, but it’s across from the beach, so you won’t miss the sunset. We are partial to the outdoor patio, but there’s also a large indoor dining area.

There’s more options north of Bridge street, on AMI, both casual and fine dining options. They are often booked with reservations, so plan ahead. A popular option is The Ugly Grouper, a classic on AMI, at 5704 Marina Dr Holmes Beach. It offers seafood, burgers and great drinks. Order the Grouper! It’s delicious, you won’t be disappointed.

Entertainment & Shopping

As you walk around Bridge St., you can hear live music everywhere. Many of the eateries and bars offer music and other entertainment (Trivia nights etc.) – schedules are often posted on their Facebook pages.

We hope this helps you to plan a Anna Maria Island trip. We highly recommend it for a girls’ getaway – it’s got everything you need! Long pretty beaches to hang out by the shore or to take long walks to catch up and laugh. Charming local spots for after-beach things to do, from quaint shops to fun drinks and food. Chill vibes and fun times!

Saturday’s: The Sarasota Farmers Market about 45 minutes away by car with lots of local produce and arts and crafts.

Tuesday’s: Anna Maria Community Farmers Market at 407 Magnolia Ave from February 14-May 27th from 9:00-2:00