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Anna Maria Island is a perfect treat for those who truly want to get away from it all and discover the charm of the old Florida.
 It is undeniably one of Florida's best kept secrets, unspoilt and crowd free. Where warm sun and gently breezes meet the calm blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. From sun up to a magnificent West Coast sunset there are plenty of water side activities to enjoy, from day sailing to parasailing, water skiing to jet skiing, deep water fishing or relaxing back water canoeing. Although only seven and a half miles long it is divided into three municipals of Bradenton Beach (a bustling village located on the southern end), Holmes Beach (being the middle part) which consists of six hundred acres which has many of the island's fine restaurants, shops, and marinas, and Ann Maria being the more reclusive and quieter end.
The island provides, free of charge, a trolley which will take you around the island, dropping you off and picking you up as in accordance with the numerous time tables that are on display and available throughout the island.
Anna Maria Island lies just west of the town of Bradenton on Florida's famous Gulf coast, reached by either of two bridges from the mainland. There is also a bridge that leads on to the very exclusive island of Longboat Key, which is the home of many celebrities with its manicured tropical gardens, golf courses, tennis clubs and wonderful shopping at the well known Armada Circle.
A nature lovers paradise where you can sit and watch the dolphins. Eat in great restaurants that cater for every taste. Be amongst friendly wonderful and helpful people. Browse the little antique, clothing, gift, craft and book shops.
Hire a boat or fish from the many piers. Walk along the 7 mile white sandy beach, or bike along the bike tracks.
Enjoy the wonderful bird life where you see flocks of parrots, numerous unusual sea birds and hundreds of pelicans.
Hire a boat or fish from the many piers. Walk along the 7 mile white sandy beach, or bike along the bike tracks.
Enjoy the wonderful bird life where you see flocks of parrots, numerous unusual sea birds and hundreds of pelicans.
ARE YOU FED UP with arriving at destinations where you had been promised the earth, been told that the property was right on the beach when in fact it was a distance away or there was a road in between, been informed that the property was safe for babies or young children when it was furnished with glass tables and large pieces of coral, had steep steps, no gates, busy roads, dangerous balconies and had numerous other problems?
We had heard so many bad reports about Florida and crime, however here we were in the safety of Anna Maria Island where we could walk along miles of beach without being harassed, where the children had enough room to play without covering everyone else with sand and above all where the medical facilities were superb, immediately putting our minds at rest in the event of an emergency, this being especially important for us as a family with young children.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND
An overview of surrounding areas to Anna Maria Island
BRADENTON
Stable, family oriented, small city along the south bank of the Manatee River, with a small city's resources and commercial areas. Good municipal services and library. Many young families as well as older people. Upscale areas along Riverview Boulevard, Vizcaya. Both old and new neighbourhoods, many shady and green. Very active county-wide Chamber of Commerce who provide assistance to businesses wanting to come into the area.
PALMETTO
On the north bank of the Manatee River, directly across from Bradenton, Palmetto has a small town feel and people who are proud of that. Many second and third generation fishing, ranching and agricultural families still live in the area and feel they have a stake in the quality of life. Lovely older homes along the bank of the river, some homes on canals bordering Terra Cela Bay, downtown parks, still some open areas bordering the north side of town.
TERRA CELA
Island-like community on Terra Cela Bay, on the edge of Tampa Bay. Very low density, lots of open space, zoned at one-acre or more lots. Post office is the local gathering place.
ELLENTON
Semi-rural small town, with population scattered over large geographic area. Small town centre with restaurants, gas stations, bank, shops. Near 1-75, major thoroughfare for commuting. Older homes, farms, large lots, some on the river.
SARASOTA
This is the sophisticated city of Sarasota by the Bay - and the city is proud of its shoreline. There are neighbourhoods of every description in every price range, excellent schools, and a particular attention to the arts. Palm Avenue and Main Street offer gallery after gallery. Fruitville Road has become antique shop row. Dinner, theatre, star-studded shows at the Van Wezel, and whatever your weakness, you will find it here; world class shopping on St Armands Circle, ballet, opera and the best restaurants in Florida.
LONGBOAT KEY
Home to lots of celebrities and millionaires, this long narrow key lies between the Gulf and the Intracoastal. Most homes and condos in the upper range. Many secluded tiny communities with clubhouses and golf courses, homes along the beach and a few very low key world class resorts and restaurants. One up-scale all but invisible shopping centre surrounded by trees and flowers, a few picturesque small businesses and a Holiday Inn. A small settlement with winding green streets, smaller older houses, an art centre and a shopping centre are on the north end of the key, along the Intracoastal.
CITY OF ANNA MARIA
Hugging the north end of the Island, the city of Anna Maria is primarily houses and duplexes. There are homes and white sand beaches all the way round the end of the Island, providing stunning views of Tampa Bay and the Sunshine Skyway.
Along the eastern side, there are views of the Intracoastal, Islands and the Bay. An extensive public park and two fishing piers line the sheltered side. Here are a few tiny resorts and some excellent restaurants and interesting shops and galleries.
HOLMES BEACH
At the centre of Anna Maria Island, the vistas open up to the sweep of the Gulf and Tampa Bay, all the way to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. White sand beaches line the Gulf side of Holmes Beach and sail boat water canals honeycomb the Bay side and along the Intracoastal Waterway. Short, quiet side streets with lots of greenery, churches, and both old and new homes. Many homes and condos on the beach. Restaurants, retail shops and small motels in downtown Holmes Beach.
BRADENTON BEACH
The south end of Anna Maria Island is Bradenton Beach, home to the best and longest white sand beach in Florida. Busier than Holmes Beach - more shops and restaurants, shorter streets, long sweeps of beaches, more sheltered on the Intracoastal side. Has interesting Bridge Street area, with nightlife and shops in a tucked-away cul-de-sac on the Intracoastal. Attracts a younger population.
HERE IS A LIST OF THE OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF GOOD REASONS TO CHOOSE ANNA MARIA:
The warm, friendly, helpful people
The excellent service
The easy, informal relaxed atmosphere
The great weather
The sugar white clean sandy beach (7.5 miles long)
The warm crystal blue/green water
The dolphins
The pelicans
The numerous other birds that permanently make their homes along the beach
The loggerhead turtles
The fantastic and varied fishing
The water sports
The weather
How easy it was get to so many different and varied attractions
Day trips can be made to Disney World, Sea World, MGM Studios, 1.5 to 2.5 miles
Good library
Over 50 wonderful little shops on the Island
Bush Gardens - Tampa 1 hour away
We could ride on air boats and see alligators
Amidst a nature reserve
Golf (more than 12 Public Golf Courses within a half hour drive)
Historic village of Cortez with the little shops and the laid back restaurant on the pier
The low cost of everything and the excellent value
A wonderful supermarket on the island which sells the most fantastic fish, meat, delicacies and everything else you could possibly want
Numerous restaurants of all types, from beach restaurants to fine dining
Direct daily flights with British Airways from Gatwick to Tampa with Anna Maria being only 1¼ hours away.
Miami Airport - 4 hours
Orlando Airport - 2 hours
Sarasota Airport - 30 minutes
Island rental for the easy hire of bikes, all sports equipment and baby items (delivered to your door).
Great Sport and fitness centre
Finally we also found an excellent, fully trained nanny through an Agency who was happy, at the drop of a hat, to baby sit, or to look after the children for a day, or on a more regular basis. Or you could always use one of the Island Crèche's (Nurseries).
THINGS TO DO ON THE ISLAND AND NEARBY
Shell-lined shores and tropical birds.
The island offers a free trolley service.
There are plenty of places to rent a bicycle, canoe or boat.
Bird's eye view of the island by taking a parasailing ride.
Deep sea fishing charter.
Shopping - everything from traditional beachwear to fine linens and jewellery
designed by local artists.
Outdoor Adventures
Take a boat tour, kayak to the intercoastal, scuba dive on the old sugar barge, parasail, bird watch or take a relaxing walk on our pristine beaches and collect beautiful shell mementos on your vacation. Whatever your passion, Anna Maria Island is "Your Island Adventure In The Sun".
Cultural Coastline
Local museums, historical attractions and eco-tourism opportunities will fill your soul. Island Players live theatre, nearby South Florida Museum and aquarium, Ringling Museum of Art, Selby Gardens, Jungle Gardens, Mote Marine Aquarium, DeSoto National Park or the Manatee Players, the Asolo Center for the Performing Art and many other venues.
Sports
Neighbouring cities play host to year-round excitement with training and seasonal games for teams like baseball's legendary Pirates, Red Sox and the Tampa Devil Rays as well as Super Bown champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the Stanley Cup winners of the Tampa Bay Lighting. If you want to improve your game, the internationally famous David Leadbetter Golf Academy, Nick Boliterie Tennis Academy and IMG Academy are all located in Bradenton.
If golf is your game then the Manatee/Sarasota bi-county area will provide you with a choice of more than 45 courses ranging from tight executive par threes to challenging championship 18s that will test any golfer's ability from tee to green.
| A2 Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa | Holmes Beach | 941-778-5400 |
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| A full service featuring Avedas Signature Services: Nature Nail - Plant wax hair removal - body treatments - massages - make up - hair colour, cut and texture. |
| Adventure Island | Tampa | 813-987-5600 |
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| 30 acres of both high-speed and relaxing water rides for guests of all ages. |
| Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures | | 941-504-6296 |
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| Specialising in a variety of kayak eco tours locally and around the state that illustrate some of Florida's natural habitats and ecosystems. Daily and weekly rentals available including free drop off. |
| Beach Bum Billy's | | 941-778-3316 |
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| Kayak and bike rentals, clothing and gifts. |
| Busch Gardens | Tampa | 813-987-5082 |
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| Part zoo, part amusement park, Busch Gardens brings together the best of both worlds with Rhino Rally, an off-road safari adventure through five animal habitats that ends in a raging river thrill ride. Visitors can observe lions, giraffes, hippos, gorillas and other creatures from the safety of the Serengeti Railway or the Skyride. Busch Gardens, Tampa, offers attractions based on African Continent, including safaris and thousands of animals. |
| Charlies on the Island Books | Holmes Beach | 941-779-2665 |
| Disney World | Orlando |
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| Disney World is only 2.5 hours from Anna Maria Island. Follow you Disney dreams to a place where storybook fantasy comes, to life for children of all ages. Seek out adventures, create magical memories with beloved characters and discover the fun where imagination reigns. |
| Enterprise Sailing Charters | Sarasota | 941-951-1833 |
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| Tall Masted Sailing. Food and beverages included. Vz day, 2 hour, sunset sails and private charters. Maximum 12 sailors. Sail Gulf or intracoastal on 21 '2 masted triple sail vessel. |
| Fun and Sun Parasail | Bradenton Beach | 941-795-1000 |
| Ginny & Janes E's Coffee & Tea | Holmes Beach | 941-713-7276 |
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| Speciality coffees, teas, chocolates and more. Gift baskets in all shapes and sizes to suit your needs. |
| Ginny's Antiques and Art | Holmes Beach | 941-779-1773 |
| Island Fitness & Physical Therapy | Holmes Beach | 941-778-5446 |
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| A local full service fitness and physical therapy center dedicated to your overall health with innovative programs for all ages. Hours Monday - Friday 6am to 8.30pm and Saturday Sam to 2pm. |
| Island Massage & Day Spa | Holmes Beach | 941-779-0066 |
| Island Players, Inc | Holmes Beach | 941-778-5755 |
| Island Scooter Rentals | Bradenton Beach | 941-726-3163 |
| Marie Selby Botanical Gardens | Sarasota | 941-366-5731 |
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| Marie Selby Botanical Garden 11 bay front acres are an open air and under glass museum of more than 20,000 coloured plants. |
| Pine Avenue General Store | Holmes Beach | 941-779-9200 |
| Prime Outlets, Ellenton | Ellenton | 941-723-1150 |
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| The most versatile shopping center in Manatee County. If you can't find it here you can't find it anywhere. 1-75, exit 43 Ellenton. |
| Publix Super Market | Holmes Beach | 941-778-5422 |
| Red Barn Flea Market & Plaza | Bradenton | 941-747-3794 |
| Sarasota Jungle Gardens | Sarasota | 941-355-5305 |
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| Open 9am to 5pm daily. Be sure to schedule some time for the Birds of Prey, Critters and Things and Birds of the Rainforest exhibits and the reptile encounter where you will see an eight foot python. |
| Sea World | Orlando | 407-351-3600 |
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| Shamu, dolphins, roller coasters and shows. SeaWorld adventure parks provide acres of entertainment, thrill rides and animal encounters which include orca killer whales and bottlenose dolphins. |
| Smuggler Cove Adventure Golf | Bradenton | 941-756-0043 |
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| Adventure golf pirate ship theme. Live gators. Open 9am to 11pm. |
| South Florida Museum, Planetarium | Bradenton | 941-746-4131 |
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| The largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida's Gulf Coast. Laser light show. |
| Sun Coast Kayak Fishing Tours | Sarasota | 941-400-8774 |
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| Kayak fishing charters and nature tours in Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor. D.C. Bienvenue is North America's leading kayak fishing guide specialising in both inshore and offshore kayak fishing. |
| Universal Studios | Orlando | 800-711-0080 |
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| 840 acres sprawling vacation destination where you will find not one but two colossal theme parks with the most state-of-the-art rides and attractions and live entertainment. |
| West Coast Surf Shop | Holmes Beach | 941-778-1001 |
IN SHORT, WE FOUND EVERYTHING WE COULD POSSIBLY WANT.
If you do have any questions or any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us either
by phone on: 01672 516736
or by fax on: 01672 516783.
 If calling from America
by phone on: 01144 1672 516736
or by fax: 01144 1672 516783
If calling from Portugal
by phone on: 0044 1672 516736
or by fax: 0044 1672 516783
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