Another reason to love this Florida Island is the abundance of activities.

Check out my favorites below, or read this post for even more ideas.

Hiking (Leffis Key)

Mangroves, tranquil boardwalks, lush vegetation, scenic shoreline views, and wildlife viewing await at Leffis Key Nature Preserve.

I love hiking along the nature trails through the mangroves, summiting the 26-foot hill for fabulous Gulf and Sarasota Bay views, and chilling on the docks over the water.

This is also a prime spot for birders.

Boat Tours

Another great way to experience Anna Maria Island is by taking a boat tour.

Hop aboard a watercraft and spend 90 minutes cruising the lush beauty of the Intracoastal Waterways.

Keep an eye out for dolphins, stingrays, and manatees while you go.

Kayaking

Another lovely activity is to kayak through the mangrove tunnels and nature preserves or explore the warm waters of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

You might even spot marine life like manatees and dolphins.

Biking

Anna Maria Island has miles and miles of white-sand beaches, scenic boardwalks, and beautiful views.

What better way to immerse yourself in the beauty than atop a bicycle?

Bike paths abound on the island, crisscrossing through parks, leading along main roads, or skirting the beaches.

The trails are well-marked, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost.

Find Anna Maria Island bike rentals here.

Anna Maria Island is the perfect place for a seafood feast.

But if you don’t like fish, don’t worry, there’s plenty of other mouthwatering cuisine to choose from.

Here’s a roundup of my favorite restaurants. You can find more of my top suggestions in this Anna Maria Island restaurant post.

The Kokonut Hut

First on the list is The Kokonut Hut. This restaurant has delicious food.

But one of the things I like best about it is that it’s right on the water.

Nothing beats eating a delicious meal and enjoying incredible views of the Gulf of Mexico.

Bridge Tender

The Bridge Tender Inn is another delicious eatery on the water.

It has a dockside grille, a sports bar, live music, and an outdoor patio. It’s pet-friendly, too. 

The Feast

If you like hidden gems, check out The Feast. This great restaurant is just behind the Island Shopping Center.

I love their seafood, salads, pasta dishes, burgers, and steaks. They also offer pizza, craft beers, and wines.

While you’re in the area, hit up some of the nearby gift shops.

Anna Maria Oyster Bar

Oysters, oysters, get them here!

The Anna Maria Oyster Bar is located on the pier at the end of Bridge Street.

Try the Build Your Own menu with garlic parmesan, chipotle, fried, and Rockefeller oysters. It’s my go-to.

Another reason to love Anna Maria Island is its beaches.

I go into depth about Anna Maria Islands beaches in another post, but here are three of my favorites:

Coquina Beach

If you’re looking for a central beach with plenty to do, Coquina Beach is the perfect spot.

Besides beautiful white sand and clear turquoise water, Coquina Beach has beach volleyball, games tables, and a beachside café offering three meals a day.

There are also picnic pavilions, a gift shop, biking and walking trails, and grills.

Bean Point

If you prefer a more secluded spot, Bean Point is ideal. This wide beach is located on the northern tip of the island.

Although there are no amenities, the serenity here is unmatched.

I love the sand dunes and eye-catching views of the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. Go early so you can find street parking nearby.

Manatee Beach

Another popular beach you won’t want to miss is Manatee Beach. Much like Coquina Beach, Manatee has great amenities, white sand, and clear blue water.

Kids will love the playground, while everyone will enjoy the Island Ice Cream shop!

Grab drinks at the Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar, have a picnic, grill out, or treat yourself to all-you-can-eat pancakes at the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe.

If you enjoy shopping, that’s another great reason to love this Florida Island.

Bridge Street

Head to Bradenton Beach for a fabulous time at the eclectic boutiques, the fudge shop, the jewelry shop, and the plethora of stores on the pier.

If you get hungry as you go, consider stopping in at the Daiquiri Deck, Blue Marlin, Bridge Tender Dockside Bar, or the Island Time Bar & Grill.

Anna Maria Island Center 

If you’re near Holmes Beach, the Island Shopping Center offers plenty of excellent shopping opportunities.

Don’t miss the Howluckyami Gift Shop, the Restless Natives Gift Shop, and the Small Town Creamery.

Anna Maria Island is a wonderful place to enjoy a vacation.

It features amazing beaches, great shopping, tons of fun outdoor activities, and plenty of fun for couples, families, and general travelers.

Do you agree with my five reasons to love this Florida Island?