Q: What's the beach like?

Generally powdery sand with some shells. Long, good beach walking/jogging. Generally calm surf, but can get deep quick if you step off of a dropoff. Some areas, especially north end, are undergoing beach renourishment.

Q: Who goes?

A mix of people depending on the time of year. People that like laid back beaching, folks interested in world class fishing and boating, artists, vagabonds, and families. You will not generally find the glitteratti - but there's a slight chance you might see more than one famous actress, sports star or singer. They like it because no one bothers them and it's low key.

Q: Where can I stay?

There are no national hotel chains on the island. There are a number of hotels, smaller family run places, vacation rentals, condos, houses, cottages, etc. Contact the chamber of commerce at www.amichamber.org - they have a compete list of lodging members with details and an excellent inquiry form that goes to all lodging members. The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.floridasgulfislands.com has information on the entire area. Another info source is the state tourism office, which has information on the area at online at www.VisitFlorida.com 

Q: Where can I eat, drink or listen to some music?

Good restaurants for all interests are on the island, including 2 of the best in Florida. Most places are casual. Nearby is a much wider selection in Bradenton, Longboat Key, Sarasota or St. Pete. Most bars are your typical beach bars, though the live music is often outstanding. Don't be surprised if someone famous or nearly famous joins in.

Q: Provisions?

There is a large foodstore on-island and a number of liquor stores. As well, there are a collection of gourmet food places and specialty stores. Fresh fish, including local shrimp, off the boat is available in Cortez just over the bridge from a few wholesalers that have retail as well. Stone crab season is mid-Oct to mid-May.

Q: Do I need a car? What's transportation like?

It's easy to drive around -and you will need a car to explore Sarasota, St.Pete, etc - but on the island there is a free trolley that runs until 10:00P or so. This makes using your car on the island almost unnecessary.

Q: Fishing or beach during the day? What about at night?

Generally the "sidewalk rolls up at 11pm" - people want to get to the beach or out fishing the next day! Get the free Anna Maria Island Sun and Islander newspapers (weekly papers with new additions on wednesday) for activities, shopping, restaurant, and live music ideas. They also have websites - www.amisun.com and www.islander.org The daily local paper for the area is the Bradenton Herald, Sarasota Herald-Tribune or the St. Pete Times.

Q: It's raining! What can I do?

A nap is always a great idea. Rain is typically short lived - it's rare there is a full rainy day. Fishing in the rain is terrific and one of the public piers has gazebos so you don't get wet. Nearby there are antique and art stores aplenty, along with museums such as the South Florida Mueseum with Bishop Planetarium and Parker Aquarium with Snooty the Manatee, the Ringling Museum and Ca' d' Zan. Mote Marine center is good in the rain and there is always outlet shopping in Ellenton or high end browsing at St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota. Busch Gardens in Tampa is always an idea.

Q: I'm a sports nut, who plays?

If you are here in March - check out Spring Training Baseball! The Pittsburgh Pirates play at McKechnie Field in Bradenton and there are over 5 other teams play within a hour of Anna Maria. Then April-September is minor league baseball - great for kids! Or Tampa Bay Devil Rays in St. Pete. Tampa has the Bucaneers, american football September to January, Indoor american football January to May, NHL Hockey Oct to May. there is plenty of golf, tennis, kayaking, boating, fishing right on the island or nearby.

Q: OK, tell me something that only locals know about the place...

If you were told you specifics, it wouldn't be a secret, would it?  Locals tend to go "opposite" the sun. Morning breakfast at the beach, dinner towards the bayside. And, there are a number of great places off island or in Bradenton, St. Pete or Sarasota. Just ask -- most people will be happy to give a recommendation. Many of the privateers (see below) live on island or stop in at the very helpful chamber of commerce. The AMI Sun newpaper has a best of edition that is also on their website. Generally the recommendations are dead on.

Q: I have teens, anything for them?

You bet. There's mini-golf just off island, fishing, two libraries with internet access, bike rentals, boat rentals, windsurfer rentals, kayaking, skim board lessons (by a local teen who is awesome!), parasailing, tennis, golf and a whole lot more. Busch Gardens Amusement Park (year-round) and Adventure Island water park (seasonal) in Tampa is great too.

Q: I've got little kids, what about them?

The entire island loves kids. There are 3 large playgrounds for young kids. Little ones love the beach - even in the rain! The quiet beach by the Anna Maria City pier, or south island by the bayside park near cocina beach, is a great place for little ones to learn to swim - many island kids learned there and since it faces east - it is more protected from the sun than the gulf beach side.

Fishing - especially crabbing - is also something that holds the attention of little ones.

South Florida Museum, Parker Aquarium with Snooty the Manatee and the Bishop Planetarium with there scheduled educational shows. Mote Marine Center or a trip to the Pelican Man island Bird Santuary is also something most little ones love.

The trolley runs the entire length of the island and the kids will ride it for hours.

Other alternatives are the Zoo in Tampa, the Aquarium in Tampa - great kids "explore the shore" area -- bring a suit and towel.

Q: Disney. What's the lowdown?

About 90-120 minutes away by a clearly marked interstate. Go to the TripAdvisor Orlando Inside Pages for the scoop - but If you want to go to Disney, either do it before or after your island stay. It's a long tiring day to do it in the middle. Busch Gardens in Tampa, however is VERY doable in a day - especially on a cloudy/rainy one. (Many travelers fly into Orlando - do Disney/Orlando for 2 days then come to Anna Maria and fly out of  Tampa. There typically is not a rental car drop off fee in the state of Florida so you can rent in Orlando and drop in Tampa.)

Q: I'm not from the US and my American English isn't very good - will that be a problem?

You generally will have no problems if you are a foreigner. The island hosts tourists from all over and many people speak French, Spanish, or German. (Unlike Europe - not all 3!). You'll be amazed what you can accomplish with pointing and sign language! There is a large supermarket on island and shopping so if you are concerned about driving - that's OK - take the trolley. What you won't find are the things you might get "at home" - though, especially for British visitors, that's getting better (Cheeses! Pimms!) Be sure the kids try peanut butter and jelly sandwiches - an American kid staple.

Q: How do I dress/act like a local?

Anna Maria is casual and locals are friendly and laid back. Leave the sense of urgency at home or at work - You're on holiday! That means shorts/shirts during the day - and the same at night - unless you are cold and want to wear long pants or a skirt. The thing you need to remember is that the sun is strong year round. Wear suncreen and sunglasses even if you are not going to the beach. Most people don't wear white socks with sandals. The island is generally biting bug free during the day, you may get some mosquitos at dawn and dusk. Bug spray helps. If you see two bugs flying together - they don't bite-- they are called love bugs. You typically don't have to worry about sand fleas like other places. Most locals use a chair and a take a cooler to the beach, as well as an umbrella. The sun is strong.

Q: Any dangers or annoyances I should know about?

While crime is very low, never leave valuables in your car at the public beaches. Do what the locals do and take only what you need to the beach and if you have valuables like your wallet, don't put them in your beachbag, but bury it in a plastic bag near your chair/blanket.The island police are friendly, but vigilent. Watch your speed if you drive. Drug laws are enforced and at the public beaches there may be undercover police. Open containers of alcohol are frowned upon on the beach, use a cup. Public drunkness and especially DUI is a criminal offense and there are no warnings. Never drive on the beach. Relax and have a good time, but use your head. 99% of the time the water is safe - no jelly fish or other dangerous marine life, however do not swim at night or after the sun is below the horizon. When you enter the water at any time - shuffle your feet. There are often stingrays. They are very docile and non-agressive, but if you step on one you will get stung by the barb in their tail. If you are stung, it will normally be fine - Use ammonia as soon as you can on it and antibotic cream with warm water soaks in epsom salts. If the barb stuck in you - you will see it - DON'T REMOVE IT.   You will do more damage than you know. It's best to go to the clinic and have the Doc take care of it.

Q: I don't feel well, now what?

There are two very good hospitals within 8 miles of the island with 24hr emergency service. There is a private clinic open late on/near the island. There are a number of pharmacies open untill 11pm and off-island 5 miles closeby is a 24 hour pharmacy.

Q: What about the red tide I keep hearing about?

It's a fact of nature that has been here for centuries. Summer is usually worse, winter is almost always red tide free. There have been years with none the entire year, and other years where is seems more persistent. While it smells (due to the dead fish) generally the only affect for humans is just at the beach - coughing and watery eyes when it is bad-- which is rare. The water is generally safe. It's caused by a naturally occuring organism that likes sunlight and nitrogen. Consequently when there are warm days in succession and low winds it tends to flare up. But it is spotty. You can still sit on the beach and have a great day - when up the beach 20 miles it's awful. More information and a "red tide forecast" can be found here: http://www.floridamarine.org

Q: What's the pirate ship and the privateers I see?

Ah, something unique to Anna Maria. The privateers are local civic leaders who raise money for scholarships and good causes. They dress for events in pirate costumes and they have a pirate ship float they use. While you are here they may be out for a parade, blood drive, fund raising or other event - Join in the fun and donations are welcome - and they go to good local causes.    

Enjoy your stay!

This page is heavily taken from a post in the Anna Maria forum by FL_Islandr -- who lives there! -- in November of 2006.