Holidays in Anna Maria Island

Are you tired of every day life Do you need to escape to a place where you can just relax and rejuvenate your body and mind Get away to Anna Maria Island in Florida and enjoy your holidays there. This place is unlike other island destinations. The island has maintained its natural beauty and managed to keep commercial buildings, fast-food chains, amusement parks and showy mega-resorts off its shores.

This hidden beach destination has something which other destinations have more or less lost. It is a place of pure relaxation. You can hang out on the beach with your family away from the hustle and bustle of a typical city life.

Anna Maria Island is situated on the west coast of Florida. It is the barrier between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. The Island is stretched within 7 miles. It is famous for the white sand gulf beaches and a laid back attitude of the island. This place has only one building with over three stories.

How to reach Anna Maria Island
You can reach Anna Maria Island by car via a pair of bridges connecting the island to the mainland. Take a flight till Tampa International Airport, Orlando or the local Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Anna Maria is about an hour's drive from the Tampa Airport and 45 minutes from St. Petersburg. You can also bring your boat and stay in one of the waterfront rentals with its own boat dock.

Anna Maria Island comprises three very unique and beautiful towns, namely, Anna Maria City (mainly residential), Holmes Beach (both residential and business oriented) and Bradenton Beach (residential and tourist oriented). You can explore these places and have a good time. In fact, doing nothing is the Island’s best pastime, but you have plenty of options if you want to do something else. You can spend your time snorkeling, kayaking or fishing in the Gulf's clear waters.

Where to stay in Anna Maria Island
Most accommodations on Anna Maria Island are vacation rentals or small condo resorts. A number of rental brokers can set you up with a vacation house. If you are willing to stay at a condo resort, then two of the most popular properties are the Tortuga Inn Beach Resort and Tradewinds Resort. These vacation houses can be rented with pools and views of the water and it will cost you somewhere around $1,000 per week and you will get seafood entrees in the beachfront restaurants. Just have a look at some of the resorts and villas which offer lodging facilities.

1. 1. Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages, Holmes Beach
2. 2. Palm Tree Villas, Holmes Beach
3. 3. An Island Getaway at Palm Tree Villas, Anna Maria Island
4. 4. Anna Maria Pirates Den, Anna Maria Island
5. 5. Bridgewalk, Bradenton Beach

You can check out the boutique shops or restaurants of the Island by a free trolley which runs up and down the Island. Try out some local favorites which are quite affordable like Cafe on the Beach, which is very popular for “all-you-can-eat pancakes.”

Things to do in Anna Maria Island
You can enjoy barbecue or picnic party on the beachfront pavillion at Bayfront Park on North Bay Boulevard in Anna Maria.

The Island has 3 fishing piers, namely, Anna Maria City Pier, Rod and Reel and the Bradenton Beach City Pier. These offer a dining experience while watching the anglers and the pelicans vying for fish. You can have a great time gazing at the local birds, such as Laughing Gulls, Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, Brown Pelicans and many more on Anna Maria Island.

Apart from fishing, snorkeling and kayaking, all the three towns in the Island have excellent restaurants, shopping, and both gulf and bay front beaches.

You will have a lot to do on this Island, or do nothing at all; simply relax on the white sand beaches all day or enjoy a quiet stroll along the shore and an amazing sunset in the evening.