Ultimate Guide to a Sunset Cruise on Anna Maria Island

Looking for the perfect way to end your day on Anna Maria Island?

A sunset cruise combines natural beauty, relaxation, and unforgettable memories. As the sun sets over the water, the sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant colors.

Many sunset cruises depart from Holmes Beach or Bradenton Beach, accommodating various group sizes and preferences. Whichever option you choose, a sunset cruise around Anna Maria Island promises an enchanting way to end your day on the water.

Below is a list of the best sunset cruises on Anna Maria Island.

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AMI Boating Tours d/b/a Nauti Girl Boat Tours

Captain Dana earned her charter credentials in 2020 and since then has been running charters around Anna Maria Sound, Longboat Key, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Palm Island, and Clearwater.

Their boat is a 2023 Switch Sport pontoon style jet boat with no propeller. It provides comfortable seating, deck, swim platform, sound system, Bimini top, and ladders.

Every adventure includes a large cooler with water and ice. Guests are welcome to bring beer, wine, and soft drinks, but all containers must be either plastic or aluminum.

Meeting Place · 63rd Street Boat Ramp · 6398 Marina Way · Beach | guest’s canal docks 

• AMI Sunset Tour · 2 hours · $525 for up to 6 guests ·  Start the tour by looking for dolphins, then cruise around the area, and end with either a Longboat Key or Bean Point sunset.
• AMI Sunset Tour · 4 hours · $645 for up to 6 guests · Start the tour by looking for dolphins, then cruise around the area, and end with either a Longboat Key or Bean Point sunset.

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AMI Discovery Charters

Captain Max Huber is an Anna Maria Island native. His passion for the water began at nine years of age when he got his first boat. Since then, Captain Max has been navigating the local waterways and gaining invaluable knowledge about the region. His lifelong connection to the area and deep understanding of its natural beauty provides the perspective of a local expert.

Their boat, a brand new 24 foot Tahoe Cascade Saltwater Series Luxury Tri-toon with a 175 Suzuki motor, provides get up and go, space to relax, and upgraded upholstery and cushions.

Every adventure includes a cooler with water and ice. Guests are welcome to bring food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages.

Meeting Place · Coquina North Boat Ramp · 1507 Gulf Drive South · Bradenton Beach

• Sunset Tour · 2 hours · $300 for up to 6 guests · The best way to end the day is with a beautiful sunset on the boat relaxing while listening to the calming waves surrounding you. 

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AMI Dolphin Tours

Captain Ben Webb holds a United States Coast Guard, 100 Ton, Master’s Captain’s license and was born and raised on Anna Maria Island. With over 45 years on the waters around Anna Maria Island, he has the knowledge and the experience to make your tour one of your best memories of Anna Maria Island. 

The Dream Cat is a 45 foot Corinthian Catamaran is perfect for relaxing. There is plenty of space to stretch out with seating up to 49 guests, wide steps and railings for easy boarding, a bathroom, and choice of sun or shade.

They provide a cooler with ice and water. Guests may bring anything you would like to eat or drink, including adult beverages.

Meeting Place · 5325 Marina Drive · Waterline Hotel · Holmes Beach

• Sunset Cruise · 2 hours · $50 per person · Begin your journey by exploring the Gulf coast and the back bay then cruise along Anna Maria Island and end the evening with a Florida sunset.
• Private Sunset Cruise · 2 hours · $420 for up to 6 guests plus $50 per person after 6th person, up to 18 guests · Begin your journey by exploring the Gulf coast and the back bay then cruise along Anna Maria Island, and end the evening with a Florida sunset.

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AMI Escapes

Captain Lane and Captain Zach will drive you.

Their boats, Premium Tri-Toon Boats, offer a spacious floor plan, comfortable seating, plenty of shade, and bluetooth capabilities.

They provide cooler space, ice, water, and soda. Guests are welcome to bring snacks and alcoholic beverages, but no glass, Cheetos, or Doritos.

Meeting Place · provided with instruction after booking

• Sunset Tour · 2 hours · $365 for up to 6 guests · Cruise and learn about historic Cortez Fishing Village, check out dolphins, photo on Beer Can Island, and finish off with a sunset over the Gulf. Optional grazing boards are available.

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Bay 2 Bay Tours

Captain Isander is a USGG certified Master Captain, biologist, and marine life and history enthusiast. His first experience with boat tours was over 30 years ago in the Caribbean.

Their boat is a SilverWave with lots of space and bluetooth.

Always provided are water, soft drinks, and ice. Guests are welcome to bring beer, wine, champagne, and snacks – no red wine please.

Meeting Place · any public ramp or at most resorts and homes with boat docks

• Sunset Cruise Experience · 2 hours · $355 for up to 6 guests · Cruise along the Anna Maria shoreline to the perfect location from which you may be able to get a glimpse of that elusive green flash! 

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Crysten’s AMI

Captains have a Masters license. They run the gamut with police, fire, and minor league college pro baseball athlete represented. They have more than 40 years combined local experience on the water.

Boats are luxury lounger Tritons designed for safety and the ultimate comfort.

They provide coolers with ice and bottled water. Guests are welcome to bring alcoholic beverages and snacks.

Meeting Place · Kingfish Boat Ramp · 752 Manatee Avenue · Holmes Beach

• Sunset Harbor Cruise · 2 hours · $350 for up to 6 guests · Enjoy an evening watching the sunset on a private boat cruise.  

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Fun Boat Tours

Mojoken is a 2022 custom built fiberglass pontoon, 32 feet long and 13 feet wide providing seating for 48 passengers. She provides comfort and stability and is equipped with a Bluetooth stereo, bathroom, and is powered by twin Yamaha 150’s.

Water, soda, coolers, and ice are provided on board. Guests can bring…..

Meeting Place · Keyes Marina · 5501 Marina Drive · Holmes Beach

• Sunset Cruise · 2 hours · $44.99 per adult · $34.99 per child 1 – 10 · Cruise around Tampa Bay to Bean Point or Long Boat Pass enjoying karaoke from the crew, searching for dolphins, and sipping on complimentary drinks.

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Island Boat Tour & Adventures

Captain Louis Mandel has been actively in the water sports business on Anna Maria Island for over 18 years and running this business for eight years.

The 26 foot Catamaran style boat provides plenty of shade.

Included is a cooler with ice and bottle water. Guests are allowed to bring drinks and food on the boat.

Meeting Place · Coquina North Boat Ramp ·1507 Gulf Drive South · Bradenton Beach

• Private Sunset Tour · 2 hours · $250 for up to 6 guests · They can customize the tour the way you want.

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Island Hoppers Boat Tours

Captain Bobby is a Master Captain for the Sarasota School District’s Marine Science Program.

Their pontoon boat holds one to six guests and their 27 foot Cat-Up boat holds seven to 18 guests.

They supply a cooler, ice, and water. Alcoholic beverages and snacks are allowed.

Meeting Place · Kingfish Boat Ramp | 752 Manatee Avenue | Holmes Beach · Compass Hotel | 12324 Manatee Avenue West | Bradenton · Coquina North Boat Ramp | Bradenton Beach

• Sunset Tour · Pontoon boat · 2 hours · $250 for up to 6 guests · Cruise along the coastline. Keep an eye out for dolphins.
• Sunset Tour · 27 foot Cat-Up boat · 2 hours · $650 for up to 18 guests · Cruise along the coastline. Keep an eye out for dolphins.

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Kokomo Charters

Captains are US Coast Guard captains with credentials ranging from 25 ton to 200 ton licenses.  

Ocean Rode, a 35 foot Aviara, is a sleek and sexy day boat perfect for up to 10 guests. It offers ultimate comfort with spacious lounge seating, cushioned flooring throughout, integrated rear sunshade shade, full bathroom, amazing stereo system, and twin 300s for speeds over 50 mph.

The vessel has refrigerators, coolers, ice, bottled water, Coke products and light bagged snacks. Guests are allowed to bring their own adult beverages and food.

Meeting Place · most of the various public ramps as well as at guest’s private homes

• Sunset Private Luxury Charter · 3 hours · $899 for up to 10 guests · Every charter is completely custom to your needs.
• Sunset Private Luxury Charter · 4 hours · $1199 for up to 10 guests · Every charter is completely custom to your needs.

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Nature Coast Excursions

Captain Andrew is a Florida native with over 40 years of experience on the water. He grew up fishing, boating, diving, and surfing the local waters of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, and Cortez Village. Captain Andrew holds a United States Coast Guard 100 gross ton Masters license and is able to operate commercial towing vessels. He is certified in marine mechanics, CPR, first aid, and boating safety.

Their boat has a Bimini top for shade.

They provide a cooler with ice and water. Guests may bring their own snacks and beverages for the cruise, please no glass

Meeting Place · Kingfish Boat Ramp · 752 Manatee Avenue · Holmes Beach

• Sunset Cruise · 2 hours · $375 for up to 6 guests · Start your trip with a leisurely cruise along the inter-coastal waterways of Anna Maria looking for dolphin and manatees. Watch the sun dip below the horizon, then make way back to the dock shortly after sunset.

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Orca Pro Charters AMI

Captain Matt, the owner, holds a Six-Pack Captain’s License. He has been working on boats his whole life, initially in England and in Florida since 2004.

Their boats are brand new 26 foot RIBS – Rigid Inflatable Boats. This boat has a rigid hull and inflatable tubes attached to the gunwales. This combination provides buoyancy and stability. 

They provide a cooler with ice, water, and champagne if requested. Guest may bring snacks and adult beverages.

Meeting Place · 63rd Street Boat Ramp · 6398 Marina Way · Holmes Beach | Kingfish Boat Ramp · 752 Manatee Avenue · Holmes Beach | Coquina North Boat Ramp · 1507 Gulf Drive South · Bradenton Beach

• Sunset Cruise · 2 hours · $400 for up to 6 guests · Offers breathtaking views of the Anna Maria Island sunset.

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Passage Key Dolphin Tours

Captain Bruce is native Floridian and Licensed captain with 30 years experience.

Their boat, a 2020 Regal 26 OBX with a ton of space to lounge around, is a luxury bow-rider with a shaded lounge and a restroom.

They provide a cooler with ice and complimentary bottles of water. Guests are welcome to bring snacks, drinks, and even adult beverages. Please avoid red wine or anything that could stain the boat’s carpet or seats.

 Meeting Place · Coquina South Boat Ramp · 1465 Gulf Drive South · Bradenton Beach

• Dolphin and Sunset Adventure · 2 hour · $375 for up to 6 guests · Offers the perfect balance of relaxation and breathtaking scenery, ensuring you have ample time to take in the vibrant colors of the sky as the sun set.

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Seas the Day Adventures

Captain Pat grew up on Anna Maria Island waterways and has lived on its shorelines for 40 years. He holds a USCG Masters license and is an Officer for the Fire Department. Captain Pat shares his love and knowledge of the area waters.

Their boat is a 24 foot 2019 Godfrey Sweetwater Tritoon powered by a quiet Yamaha 150 HP Four Stroke. The vessel provides a walk-in enclosed bathroom onboard, two large Bimini tops that can be open or closed, large boarding ladder, Bluetooth sound system, comfortable seating with plenty of cup holders, and USB charging ports.

They provide a cooler with ice and water. Guests are permitted to bring alcohol and snacks aboard.

Meeting Place · Coquina South Boat Ramp · 1465 Gulf Drive South · Bradenton Beach | Coquina North Boat Ramp · 1507 Gulf Drive South · Bradenton Beach | Kingfish Boat Ramp · 752 Manatee Avenue · Holmes Beach | Palma Sola Causeway Boat Ramp · 9100 Manatee Avenue West · Bradenton

• Sunset Tour · 2 hours · $325 for up to 6 guests · View sights along the local waterways before making way towards the Gulf of Mexico for sunset.

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Shore Thing Tiki Cruises

Captain Frank Galati has called Anna Maria Island home for over 40 years. Captain Rick has lived in the area for most of his life. Captain Steven was born in St. Petersburg. Captain Trevor grew up in California but has called Bradenton home since 2020. Captain Justen is an 8th generation Floridian.

Never 2 Early is custom built floating tiki bar with a 30 foot deck. It is only available for private tours with a maximum capacity of 6 guests. It is equipped with comfortable furniture, onboard bathroom, Bluetooth compatible 600 watt audio system, and USB charging ports.

Career Pivot is a custom built floating tiki bar with a 30 foot deck. It is only available for private tours with a maximum capacity of 17 guests. It is equipped with comfortable furniture, onboard bathroom, Bluetooth compatible 600 watt audio system, USB charging ports.

Magic Dolphin II is a custom built floating tiki bar with a 40 foot deck. It is available for both private and public tours with a maximum capacity of 44 guests. It is equipped with comfortable furniture, onboard bathroom, and Bluetooth compatible 600 watt audio system.

They provide a large cooler stocked with ice and bottled water. BYOB any other drinks and food.

 Meeting Place · 119 Bridge Street Suite 140B · Bradenton Beach

• Sunset Tour · Public · 1.5 hours · $35 per person and kids 10 and under $25 per person · Set route for sightseeing, dolphin watching, and the sunset.
• Sunset Tour · Private · 2.5 hours · $354 for up to 6 guests · plus $59 per person and $30 per kids 10 and under, after 6th person up to 44 guests · Customizable to include cruising, sandbar time, bar hopping, watching dolphins, and sunset.

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Spice Sailing Charter

Captain Ed is USCG licensed and a charter captain since 1988 with over 25 years of sailboat chartering experience in Tampa Bay and the Gulf.

Zig Zag, a Catalina 30, is a sloop-rigged monohull. The deck is fairly wide with a beam of almost 11 feet. It also offers a head and an ample galley.

 You can bring a cooler with snacks and beverages as none are provided during the cruise.

Meeting Place · 840 South Bay Boulevard · Anna Maria

• Sunset Sail · 2.5 hours · $50 per guest · $150 minimum for up to 6 guests · Take in the Sunshine Skyway and Tropicana Field on this sightseeing sunset cruise around Tampa Bay.

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Until next time…

·izzy