Anna Maria Island – So Close yet So Far

It offers a little bit of everything: traditional Florida vibes, access to the Gulf of Mexico, peace, quiet and convenience. Anna Maria Island is just off the coast, but traveling here will make you feel like you’ve landed on a different planet.

Island living always offers an unparalleled sense of relaxation, so just the act of depositing yourself here will do wonders for your state of mind. Once you have your bearings, though, check out the area attractions…

Eco-tourism is a hot ticket, meaning that you’ll have the chance to learn and enjoy nature to the max. Bird watching, kayak tours and combing the beach for shells are a few ideas, so keep your eyes open for jumping dolphins, floating manatees and diving pelicans as you meander around.

On a less wild note, there’s plenty of shopping and dining to be had, and the delicate comforts of your vacation house or condo will leave you feeling downright pampered. Cottages with beach views and bungalows with all the fixings are bound to make evenings, nights and in-between moments as comfortable as can be.

If you can’t find what you need at the nearby supermarkets or tire of the tennis courts, skate park, ocean activities and sunset views offered in the Anna Maria Island Area (it’s unlikely that you will, but just in case…) visit one of the nearby towns. Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Sarasota are a few options that will widen the lens of your vacation, but keeping things simple is just fine, too.

This Florida isle is treasured as something of a secret, so feel lucky that you’ve discovered it.