Water Activities

  • Captain Bam’s Jungle Float on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Captain Bam’s Jungle Float on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    If you are looking for something a little different on your Anna Maria Island trip, something that gets you out on the water but is not your typical boat tour, Captain Bam’s Jungle Float might be exactly what you are looking for. It is one of those experiences that is genuinely hard to describe until…

  • Lifeguard Stations on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Lifeguard Stations on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    If you’re planning to swim during your trip to Anna Maria Island, knowing where lifeguards are located can make all the difference. While the island is known for its laid-back charm and wide stretches of Gulf-front shoreline, not every beach access point is staffed. In fact, lifeguards are stationed at only a few designated areas.…

  • Shore Fishing on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Shore Fishing on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Anna Maria Island is one of Florida’s most productive fishing destinations, and you do not need a boat to prove it. Seven miles of Gulf coastline, two historic piers, calm bay-side canals, and access to some of the richest inshore waters on the Gulf Coast make shore fishing here genuinely exceptional for beginners and experienced…

  • Shelling on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Shelling on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Shelling on Anna Maria Island is one of those simple pleasures that never gets old. The island’s position along Florida’s Gulf Coast, combined with its natural currents and barrier island geography, makes it one of the best spots in the state for finding a wide variety of shells. Whether you’re a seasoned collector chasing a…

  • No-See-Ums on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    No-See-Ums on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    If you have ever come in from a beautiful evening on the beach covered in tiny, itchy bites with no idea what got you, chances are you have had your first encounter with no-see-ums. They are one of those things nobody warns you about before visiting Anna Maria Island, and by the time you notice…

  • Water Activities on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Water Activities on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Anna Maria Island is seven miles of Gulf Coast surrounded by water on every side. The Gulf sits to the west, Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay to the east, and in between are mangrove channels, sandbars, and shallow flats that define everything about the island experience. Here, the water is not a backdrop. It is…

  • 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…

  • 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.…

  • 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.…