Beach Guidebook
Beaches
One of our favorite beaches in the area. Plenty of parking & it’s FREE. Beautiful turquoise water. Lots of shaded trees with plenty of picnic tables, grilling areas, outdoor changing stations and clean restrooms. There is also an ice cream shop and restaurant and bar. A fishing pier is near by as well.
138 locals recommend
Coquina Beach station
One of our favorite beaches in the area. Plenty of parking & it’s FREE. Beautiful turquoise water. Lots of shaded trees with plenty of picnic tables, grilling areas, outdoor changing stations and clean restrooms. There is also an ice cream shop and restaurant and bar. A fishing pier is near by as well.
Beautiful beach on Anna Maria Island. Volleyball nets and a great outdoor entertainment at night.
This is usually where the crowd is. Souvenir shop nearby and right next to a restaurant that sells a great fish platter. There is also a bar with tables for seating facing the beach.
11 locals recommend
Holmes Beach
4000 Gulf DrBeautiful beach on Anna Maria Island. Volleyball nets and a great outdoor entertainment at night.
This is usually where the crowd is. Souvenir shop nearby and right next to a restaurant that sells a great fish platter. There is also a bar with tables for seating facing the beach.
Gorgeous beach, rated #1 due to its fine powdery sand. However it gets pretty crowded. If you are a new visitor, I do recommend visiting this area at least once.
798 locals recommend
Siesta Beach
Gorgeous beach, rated #1 due to its fine powdery sand. However it gets pretty crowded. If you are a new visitor, I do recommend visiting this area at least once.
This is another one of my favorite beaches. Less of a crowd, beautiful white sand and within walking distance to St Armand’s Circle shops and restaurants.
442 locals recommend
Lido Key Beach
400 Benjamin Franklin DrThis is another one of my favorite beaches. Less of a crowd, beautiful white sand and within walking distance to St Armand’s Circle shops and restaurants.
Awesome área to explore. Nice boardwalk along the beach, more of a young and family crowd setting with beach shops and restaurants. You can get several different guided tours for dolphin watching and water sports. If you don’t mind the drive it’s short of an hour drive from Palmetto Cottage.
1870 locals recommend
Clearwater Beach
Gulf of Mexico DriveAwesome área to explore. Nice boardwalk along the beach, more of a young and family crowd setting with beach shops and restaurants. You can get several different guided tours for dolphin watching and water sports. If you don’t mind the drive it’s short of an hour drive from Palmetto Cottage.
If you want a beach close to the city pier and restaurants off the farthest North end of Anna Maria Island. Shady mangrove tree spots, but not really a white sandy beach.
Bayfront Park
316 North Bay BoulevardIf you want a beach close to the city pier and restaurants off the farthest North end of Anna Maria Island. Shady mangrove tree spots, but not really a white sandy beach.
Of you want a more secluded area where you can take amazing pictures and enjoy gorgeous sunsets this is the beach for you. However, just know there is very limited parking, no nearby restrooms & no showers or changing stations.
32 locals recommend
Beer Can Island
North Shore RoadOf you want a more secluded area where you can take amazing pictures and enjoy gorgeous sunsets this is the beach for you. However, just know there is very limited parking, no nearby restrooms & no showers or changing stations.
Explore the other side of Anna Maria Island. The beach curves around to the North end facing the Gulf of Mexico to facing Tampa Bay. This beach has soft sand and crystal clear water. The parking is free, but limited because it is in a residential neighborhood. It’s also not as crowded. Beautiful path leading to the beach with covered mangrove trees.
67 locals recommend
Bean Point Beach
793 N Shore DrExplore the other side of Anna Maria Island. The beach curves around to the North end facing the Gulf of Mexico to facing Tampa Bay. This beach has soft sand and crystal clear water. The parking is free, but limited because it is in a residential neighborhood. It’s also not as crowded. Beautiful path leading to the beach with covered mangrove trees.