The seven and a half mile long island of Anna Maria is comprised of three communities: Anna Maria to the north; Holmes Beach in the center; and Bradenton Beach to the south. The island, in Manatee County, Florida, is located 40 miles south of Tampa and seven miles west of Bradenton. On the west side of the island is enchanting Gulf of Mexico; Tampa Bay and Anna Maria Sound are to the east, and to the south lies Sarasota Bay. Only since 1921 has the Cortez Bridge connected the island to the mainland. Until then, all access to and from the island was by boat. In the 1950's, the Manatee Avenue Bridge was built as a second link to the island, and today a bridge
allows access from Longboat Key as well.
There are quite a few variations of who first settled the island, and how it got its name. Our initial brush with history states Anna Maria Island was first explored around 1530 by Spaniards, however, was not settled until the early twentieth century by Madison Post, a Tampa mayor who named the island for his wife Maria and his sister-in-law, Anna. Yet, others believe the island was named Ana-Maria-Cay by the Spanish to honor the Virgin Mary and her mother, Anne. Still another belief is that Ponce de Leon explored the island in 1513, the same year he christened his discovery "La Florida," and named the island for Spain's queen. In 1892, George Emerson Bean was first to settle the (Bean) Point at the island's end. In 1912, George Emerson Bean and Charles Martin Roser started the Anna Maria Beach Company.
Unspoiled by high-rise concrete buildings often found in congested coastal communities, Anna Maria Island offers towering pines and palms and abundant bird life that soar against bright blue skies. The island recreational options extend from walking, shelling, swimming, boating, fishing, and cycling to attending any of the annually scheduled cultural celebrations.The Island Players stage dramas, comedies and musicals while the Island Museum exhibits island history and the Library Gallery and Art Galleries sponsor and reflect area artists. Tennis courts and a variety of educational, health oriented and "just-for-fun" classes for all age groups are available at the Island Community Center. Three public beaches, four fishing piers, two boat launching sites, and two parts add to the list of Anna Maria Island opportunities for fun.
Please
call toll-free 1-800-883-4092 to guarantee your reservation at
Tropic Isle Inn!
The seven and a half mile long island of Anna Maria is comprised of three communities: Anna Maria to the north; Holmes Beach in the center; and Bradenton Beach to the south. The island, in Manatee County, Florida, is located 40 miles south of Tampa and seven miles west of Bradenton. On the west side of the island is enchanting Gulf of Mexico; Tampa Bay and Anna Maria Sound are to the east, and to the south lies Sarasota Bay. Only since 1921 has the Cortez Bridge connected the island to the mainland. Until then, all access to and from the island was by boat. In the 1950's, the Manatee Avenue Bridge was built as a second link to the island, and today a bridge
allows access from Longboat Key as well. 
There are quite a few variations of who first settled the island, and how it got its name. Our initial brush with history states Anna Maria Island was first explored around 1530 by Spaniards, however, was not settled until the early twentieth century by Madison Post, a Tampa mayor who named the island for his wife Maria and his sister-in-law, Anna. Yet, others believe the island was named Ana-Maria-Cay by the Spanish to honor the Virgin Mary and her mother, Anne. Still another belief is that Ponce de Leon explored the island in 1513, the same year he christened his discovery "La Florida," and named the island for Spain's queen. In 1892, George Emerson Bean was first to settle the (Bean) Point at the island's end. In 1912, George Emerson Bean and Charles Martin Roser started the Anna Maria Beach Company. 
Unspoiled by high-rise concrete buildings often found in congested coastal communities, Anna Maria Island offers towering pines and palms and abundant bird life that soar against bright blue skies. The island recreational options extend from walking, shelling, swimming, boating, fishing, and cycling to attending any of the annually scheduled cultural celebrations.The Island Players stage dramas, comedies and musicals while the Island Museum exhibits island history and the Library Gallery and Art Galleries sponsor and reflect area artists. Tennis courts and a variety of educational, health oriented and "just-for-fun" classes for all age groups are available at the Island Community Center. Three public beaches, four fishing piers, two boat launching sites, and two parts add to the list of Anna Maria Island opportunities for fun.