Anna Maria Island is a popular Florida destination to visit, just an hour south of Tampa.
While you can indulge and spend a good chunk of money on the island, there are plenty of free and cheap things you can do while here.
Check out the best ways to explore Anna Maria Island on a budget. Let’s dive in!
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1. Visit The Beaches
If you’re looking for what to do in Anna Maria Island, there are several beautiful beaches throughout the island.
Coquina Beach and Cortez Beach are popular beaches on the southern end of the island in Bradenton Beach.
Both of these beaches have plenty of amenities and Coquina Beach has a restaurant right at the beach.
Manatee Beach is in Holmes Beach and is the main public beach in the central part of the island.
You can grab some food at Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe and drinks at Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar.
Manatee Beach has lots of other amenities, including a gift shop. They have live music here throughout the year, too.
Bayfront Park and Bean Point Beach are in the city of Anna Maria at the northern end of the island.
Bayfront Park is between Anna Maria City Pier and Rod & Reel Pier, and a short distance from both.
There is a nice playground here with picnic tables, shelters, and a beach area, also.
In my opinion, the best beaches on Anna Maria Island are Manatee Beach and Bean Point, but all of the beaches here have their perks.
The island’s beaches are the perfect way to spend the day!
Can You Swim At Anna Maria Island?
Yes, the waters here are generally calm and are great for swimming. Many of the beaches here have lifeguards, as well. (Bean Point does not).
Just check the flags before hitting the water to make sure the water is safe to swim in.
Photo Credit- floridadep.gov
Here’s a quick recap of Anna Maria Island’s Beaches:
In Bradenton Beach
✓ Coquina Beach
✓ Cortez Beach
✓ Beach Access (Across The Street From Tropic Isle Resort)- this is one of my favorite spots to hit the beach on Anna Maria Island!
In Holmes Beach
✓ Manatee Public Beach
In Anna Maria
✓ Bayfront Park
✓ Bean Point
Want to experience the best beach adventure in AMI? Check out the Parasailing in Holmes Beach Tour!
2. Rent Kayaks Or Paddleboards For The Day
Anna Maria Island has several places where you can rent kayaks and paddle boards.
Beach Bums and Kayak Jacks are just a couple of the rental companies where you can rent water equipment.
There are also a few companies on the island that do kayak and paddleboard tours.
We did a guided kayak tour with Happy Paddlers, which is just across the bridge in Longboat Key.
They do several kinds of kayak tours but they do kayak fishing charters, too!
Photo credit – Pineapple Marketplace
3. See What The Vendors Are Selling At Pineapple Marketplace
With over 30 vendors, Pineapple Marketplace is a local favorite for clothing, jewelry, antiques, art, and more.
Whether you’re a collector or just a casual shopper browsing for a deal, this is a great place to shop for unique finds!
Pineapple Marketplace
📍 425 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria, FL 34216
☎️ Phone 941-216-4226
Pineapple Marketplace: Things To Do Nearby
✓ From Pineapple Marketplace, head to the other Pine Avenue shops. Here, there are candy stores, gift shops, clothing stores, and more.
✓ Grab a treat at The Flip Flop Candy Shop or a souvenir at The Island Cabana.
4. Learn About The City At Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum
Anna Maria Island isn’t just about the beaches and waterfront restaurants.
Come to the museum to learn about the history of Anna Maria Island!
This museum has exhibits that show early island life and the first settlers in the area.
See the artifacts, newspapers, and maps that keep Anna Maria Island’s history alive.
While here, take a walk through the Anna Maria Historical Park and visit the historic Anna Maria City Jail that was built in the 1920’s!
Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum
📍 402 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria, FL 34216
Anna Maria Island Museum: Things To Do Nearby
✓ While at the museum, take the Historic Anna Maria City Tour to learn more about the island’s history.
5. Check Out Bridge Street Shops, Restaurants, & Pier
Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach is famous for its boutiques, bars, restaurants, and Bradenton Beach City Pier.
Here, you can walk around for free and browse the shops.
There are also several art shows and events throughout the year.
As you work your way up Bridge Street, you’ll pass by restaurants such as Island Time Bar & Grill, Daiquiri Deck, Bamboo Island Bar, Blue Marlin, and Bridge Tender Dockside Bar.
These restaurants are a great place for some live music!
There is a fudge shop, as well as Sea Salt Boutique and Bridge Street Jewelers, as you make your way to the pier.
The pier has shops, and Anna Maria Oyster Bar is midway up the pier. You can do a guided tour, such as fishing and parasailing.
Bridge Street Shops & Stores
√ Back Alley Treasures
√ Beach Blossom Studio
√ Bridge Street Bazaar
√ Bridge Street Jewelers
√ Sea-renity Beach Spa & Bou-tiki
Bridge Street: Things To Do Nearby
✓ Just a few blocks south of Bridge Street is Cortez Beach with a trail and picnic area.
✓ The Fish Hole is a mini golf course to play while at Bridge Street!
6. Go On A Dolphin Tour Or Sunset Cruise
Anna Maria Island has several companies throughout the island that offer boat tours at reasonable rates.
We did our boat tour through Paradise Boat Tours, which is located at the Bradenton Beach Pier.
These 90-minute tours take you through the intercoastal waterways.
Dolphins, manatees, and stingrays are common sea life that you see on the tour.
Bring your own food and alcohol!
7. Ride Around The Island On Bikes
Anna Maria Island is only 7 miles long and 2 miles wide so riding a bike is a nice option for getting around the island!
Many of the main attractions on the island have bike racks, including most of the beaches.
A lot of the beaches have walking/biking trails, too.
As mentioned, finding a parking spot in a car can also be difficult in the busier places.
There are several companies on the island where you can rent bicycles.
8. See The Parrots Or Shop At Sun and Surf Beach Shop
The Island Shopping Center is in Holmes Beach and is a strip mall with gift shops, restaurants, and bars.
Here you can see and talk to the parrots in cages in front of Sun and Surf Beach Shop. A few of these parrots have been here since the 1990’s!
Across the street from The Island Shopping Center on Gulf Drive are more shops and restaurants.
Island Shopping Center
📍 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217
Island Shopping Center: Things To Do Nearby
✓ The Freckled Fin Irish Pub and Hurricane Hanks Restaurant are all within easy walking distance of The Island Shopping Center.
✓ Anna Maria Island Shops and Alvin’s Island are both shopping centers in Holmes Beach that are about a mile away.
✓ Once you’re done shopping, Manatee Beach is nearby!
9. Take In The Views At The End Of The Island (Bean Point)
Bean Point is a peaceful spot tucked away at the northern tip of the island, where Tampa Bay and the Gulf intersect.
More of a secluded, wide beach with amazing views, Bean Point is a must-do when you’re on the island.
Getting to Bean Point does take a little work. There are some parking spots on the nearby streets, but those can fill up quickly.
Many people take the trolley to Anna Maria City Pier and then walk to Bean Point, which is about a mile away.
There are no amenities at Bean Point, but the scenery definitely makes it worth the walk! Bean Point is also a beautiful place to see a sunset.
Bean Point: Things To Do Nearby
✓ Just a short walk from Bean Point is Rod & Reel Pier
✓ Bayfront Park is a little over a half-mile away past Rod & Reel
How To Get Around In Anna Maria Island
You can drive your vehicle and there are paved roads throughout the island.
Traffic does get congested during the busier times of the year, however. Parking at the beaches is free, but these spots do fill up quickly.
It can also be a little difficult to park at the beaches, especially in the summer and on the northern end of the island.
(I was here in April and there were no issues with driving my car or parking. Street parking by Bean Point was the most difficult at this time since there are not many spots.)
Lots of people travel around the island in golf carts and you can rent these at most of the places that also have kayak/paddleboard rentals.
Another option is taking one of the free trolleys around the island.
Most of these shuttle services on the island work for tips.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s the beaches or browsing the shops at Bridge Street, you can enjoy the island on a budget.
Safe travels!
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Booking a last-minute trip to Anna Maria Island?
If so, we have you covered. Here are some top recommended tours and hotels!
Top Tours in Anna Maria Island
Boat Excursion To Capri Island – (Small Group Boat Tour From Sorrento)
Parasailing Adventure – (Above Bradenton Beach & Anna Maria Island)
Private Fishing Trip With Sight Seeing – (Half Day Tour Around Anna Maria Island)
Top Hotels & Accommodations in Anna Maria Island
Playa Esmeralda Boutique Inn – (Top Rated Accommodation In Bradenton Beach)
Bungalow Beach Resort – (Beachfront Property In Bradenton Beach)
Captain’s Quarters At Anna Maria Island – (High Rated Villa With Private Pool)
Anna Maria Island Inn – (Aparthotel Nearby Beach)
Looking To Get Around In Anna Maria Island?
Check out rental car rates here! 🚗
