Updated: May 2026
Anna Maria Island is seven miles of Gulf Coast surrounded by water on every side. The Gulf to the west, Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay to the east, and a network of mangrove channels, sandbars, and tidal flats in between. It’s the kind of place where the water isn’t just a backdrop. It’s the whole point.
Whether you’re after something slow and peaceful or a full-day adventure, the island delivers. Here’s everything worth getting wet for.
Swimming
The Gulf on Anna Maria Island is about as good as it gets for swimming. Calm, warm, and clear, with sugar-white sand underfoot and the kind of water color that makes you stop and stare. All of the beaches, other than Bean Point, offer easy access and gentle conditions most of the year. Lifeguard stations are staffed at key locations, giving families an extra layer of peace of mind. For everything you need to know before you go, see my Ultimate Guide to Lifeguard Stations on Anna Maria Island.
Kayaking
The bay side of Anna Maria Island is one of the best places to kayak in Florida. Calm, protected waters, abundant wildlife, and mangrove-lined channels that reward slow exploration. You’re likely to spot dolphins, manatees, herons, and roseate spoonbills without going far from shore. Rentals and guided tours are widely available. For the full picture, see my Ultimate Guide to Kayaking on Anna Maria Island.
Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboarding has become one of the most popular water activities on the island, and it’s easy to see why. The calm bay-side waters are ideal for beginners, while more experienced paddlers can take on longer routes along the coastline. Several rental shops offer boards by the hour or the day, and many will deliver directly to your vacation rental. It’s a workout that doesn’t feel like one, especially when a dolphin decides to follow along.
Fishing
Fishing is woven into the fabric of Anna Maria Island in a way that goes deeper than recreation. The historic fishing village of Cortez sits just across the bridge, and the waters around the island are some of the most productive on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The Anna Maria City Pier and Bridge Street Pier both offer free fishing with no license required from a pier. For something more serious, inshore charters target snook, redfish, and tarpon in the flats, while offshore trips go after grouper, snapper, and mahi. Local captains know these waters well and are worth every penny.
Dolphin & Wildlife Boat Tours
If there’s one water activity that consistently delivers a memory you’ll talk about for years, it’s a dolphin tour. The waters around Anna Maria Island are home to resident pods of bottlenose dolphins, plus manatees, sea turtles, and an extraordinary variety of coastal birds. Local operators run everything from two-hour tours to private half-day charters, and sightings are remarkably reliable. For the best operators and what to expect, see my Ultimate Guide to Boat Tours on Anna Maria Island.
Parasailing
For a different perspective on the island entirely, parasailing puts you several hundred feet above the Gulf with a bird’s-eye view of the beaches, the bay, and the coastline stretching in both directions. It’s calmer than it looks from the ground and genuinely breathtaking once you’re up there. For everything you need to know, see my Ultimate Guide to Parasailing on Anna Maria Island.
Jet Skiing
Anna Maria Island has over 200 miles of shoreline, and jet skiing is one of the best ways to cover it. Rentals are available by the hour, half-day, or full day, and guided tours that follow dolphin pods are a popular option for first-timers who want a little direction. The bay side is generally calmer for beginners, while the Gulf offers more open water for those who want to open it up. For rental options and tips, see my Ultimate Guide to Jet Ski Rental on Anna Maria Island.
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
The Gulf around Anna Maria Island has more going on underwater than most visitors expect. Snorkeling trips take you out to nearshore reefs teeming with marine life, while scuba charters venture up to 25 miles offshore to dive sites ranging from 40 to 100 feet. One of the standout experiences is the Regina SS, a 75-foot shipwreck that sank in 1940 and now sits at 20 feet, making it accessible for divers of most skill levels. PADI certification courses are also available for those looking to get started.
Boat Rentals
There’s something about seeing Anna Maria Island from the water that completely reframes the whole trip. Whether you’re looking for a quick two-hour escape or a full-day adventure out on the water, there’s a rental boat for every type of traveler. For everything you need to know about the best options and how to book, check out my Ultimate Guide to Boat Rentals on Anna Maria Island.
Shelling
Shelling is one of those activities that sounds casual until you’re an hour in and completely absorbed. The beaches on the southern end of the island, particularly Coquina Beach and Bradenton Beach, are the most productive spots, especially after a storm or at low tide. Common finds include lightning whelks, sand dollars, angel wings, and the occasional junonia if you’re lucky. Early morning is the best time to go, before other beachgoers have covered the same ground.
Floating Waterpark
For something a little more high-energy, the floating waterpark anchored just offshore is one of the more unique offerings on the island. An inflatable playground with a water slide, jumping platforms, trampolines, and a blob, it’s a full afternoon of activity for kids and adults who don’t mind a little chaos. It’s the kind of thing that looks ridiculous and turns out to be the highlight of the trip.
Clear Kayak Tours
Glass-bottom clear kayaks are exactly what they sound like: transparent hulls that let you watch the sea floor pass beneath you as you paddle. Seagrass beds, fish, rays, and the occasional sea turtle are all visible without getting wet. It’s a genuinely different way to experience the water, calm enough for all ages, and endlessly more interesting than it sounds on paper. For tour operators and booking details, see my Ultimate Guide to Kayaking on Anna Maria Island.
Horseback Riding
Just off the shores of Anna Maria Island lies an unexpected and unforgettable adventure…horseback riding along the shoreline and shallow waters of Palma Sola Bay. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a curious first-timer, this unique experience offers a peaceful way to connect with nature while taking in some of Florida’s most beautiful scenery. For operators and everything you need to know before you go, check out my Ultimate Guide to Horseback Riding Near Anna Maria Island.
Sun Protection
A day on the water means a day in the Florida sun. Before you head out, make sure you are stocked up on sun protection. Shop my favorite sunscreen products at amazon.com/shop/izzyliving.
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Coastal Close
The water around Anna Maria Island isn’t just something to look at from the beach. It’s the whole experience. Whether you spend your days paddling through mangroves, chasing dolphins on a charter, or floating on an inflatable slide a hundred yards from shore, the Gulf has a way of making everything else feel very far away. That’s the point.
For more on planning your time on the island, explore my Anna Maria Island Restaurant Guide and keep an eye out for more activity guides coming soon.
Until next time…
· izzy