Anna Maria Island

  • Best Fish and Chips on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Best Fish and Chips on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Crispy, golden, and best enjoyed with a salty Gulf breeze, fish and chips on Anna Maria Island is one of those meals that just makes sense here. This guide rounds up the best spots on and around the island, from casual beach cafes to dockside tiki bars, so you know exactly where to go when…

  • Best Boat Rentals on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Best Boat Rentals on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    If you want to experience Anna Maria Island beyond the beaches, renting a boat is one of the best ways to do it. Out on the water, you’ll find quiet sandbars, clear back bays, and frequent dolphin sightings. Boat rentals on Anna Maria Island are simple, beginner-friendly, and designed for relaxed cruising. Whether you choose…

  • Best Boat Tours and Charters on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Best Boat Tours and Charters on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Anna Maria Island is just as much about the water as it is the beaches and one of the best ways to experience it is by getting out on a boat. From dolphin tours and sandbar hopping to sunset cruises and laid-back tiki boats, there’s no shortage of ways to explore the Gulf. What makes…

  • The Historic Cortez Fishing Village: My Insider Guide

    The Historic Cortez Fishing Village: My Insider Guide

    Just minutes from Anna Maria Island on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Cortez is one of the last authentic working fishing villages in the state. Shrimp boats still head out at sunrise here, fresh Gulf seafood comes straight off the docks, and the laid-back pace delivers a true Old Florida experience that feels worlds away from the…

  • Bachelorette Parties on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Bachelorette Parties on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Planning a bachelorette party on Anna Maria Island is one of the best decisions you can make for the bride-to-be. Powdery white sand beaches, pastel beach cottages, Gulf sunsets, and a pace that never feels rushed make this charming barrier island the kind of place where a girls’ getaway feels exactly right without any effort.…

  • How to Make the Most of an Anna Maria Island Day Pass: My Insider Guide

    How to Make the Most of an Anna Maria Island Day Pass: My Insider Guide

    An Anna Maria Island day pass gives you access to beachfront pools, private cabanas, and full resort amenities for the day. Whether you’re visiting for a few hours or planning a local staycation, it’s one of the easiest ways to experience the island like a resort guest. Check day pass availability to see what’s open…

  • Best Short-Stay Accommodations on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Best Short-Stay Accommodations on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Planning a quick escape to Anna Maria Island but don’t want to book a full week? You’re in luck. From cozy motels and boutique inns to beachfront resorts, the island offers plenty of short-stay options for one night, a weekend, or a midweek getaway. Whether you’re planning a spontaneous beach trip, a romantic weekend, or…

  • Common Mistakes on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Common Mistakes on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Anna Maria Island is one of Florida’s most beloved beach destinations, and for good reason. Sugar-white sand, turquoise Gulf waters, spectacular sunsets, and a laid-back pace that is genuinely hard to find anywhere else. But because the island is small and largely residential, a few common visitor mistakes can turn a dream trip into a…

  • Easy Family Beach Games on Anna Maria Island

    Easy Family Beach Games on Anna Maria Island

    Looking for easy beach games on Anna Maria Island? The island’s wide sandy beaches make the perfect setting for simple games that bring families together. Anna Maria Island was made for slow mornings, sandy afternoons, and sunset strolls along the Gulf. But if you’re traveling with kids — or just a group that loves a…

  • Free Things to Do on Anna Maria Island: My Insiders Guide

    Free Things to Do on Anna Maria Island: My Insiders Guide

    Think you need a big budget to enjoy Anna Maria Island? You do not. Some of the island’s most unforgettable moments such as pastel Gulf sunsets, dolphins just offshore, quiet sunrise beach walks are completely free. This laid-back barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast is full of experiences that do not require tickets or reservations.…