Anna Maria Beach

Anna Maria Bayfront Park faces Tampa Bay, not the open Gulf — the bay side of the City of Anna Maria at 316 N Bay Blvd. You get picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and free parking, with views toward the Sunshine Skyway. For Gulf swimming, walk or drive a few blocks west to Anna Maria Beach or Bean Point. This park is the bayfront stop for picnics and calm water, not a barrier-island swim day. Read more...

Bean Point is the northern tip of Anna Maria Island, where the Gulf meets Tampa Bay. Parking is limited along N Shore Drive, and amenities are thin compared with Manatee or Coquina — expect a quieter strip and fewer facilities. Good for a walk or a low-key swim when you want space; bring what you need. The busier county parks sit farther south on Gulf Drive. Read more...

Manatee Beach is Anna Maria Island’s busiest county beach park at 4000 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach. It has a large parking area, restrooms, showers, playgrounds, volleyball, seasonal lifeguards, and a concession vibe that draws families all day. Wheelchair access is better here than at the street-end Holmes accesses. Arrive early on weekends — this is the island’s default “meet at the beach” lot. Read more...

Holmes Beach accesses are the public Gulf walkovers and street-ends along Gulf Drive through the City of Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island — not one single park gate. Parking is mostly street or small lots; some accesses have restrooms nearby, and seasonal lifeguards cover marked stretches. For a full facility beach day (playground, big lot), go to Manatee Beach at 4000 Gulf Dr. Use these when you want a shorter walk from a mid-island Read more...

Bradenton Beach is the Gulf town beach on the south-central stretch of Anna Maria Island, steps from historic Bridge Street. Expect restrooms, showers, lifeguards in season, and free or easy public parking near 10th Street / Gulf Drive. The pier and Bridge Street restaurants make it a full stop, not just a swim. Coquina Beach’s bigger county lot sits just south if this strip is packed. Read more...

Cortez Beach is the residential Gulf strip along Gulf Drive South between Bradenton Beach and Coquina, named for nearby historic Cortez Village. Access is simpler than the big county parks — restrooms and seasonal lifeguards, with free parking that is tighter than Coquina’s lot. Use it when you want a lower-key AMI swim without the playground complex. Cortez Village seafood spots are a short drive east of the island. Read more...