I’ve found my paradise and it is called Anna Maria Island.

Seven years ago I visited this little slice of heaven. The first time I stepped foot on the pristine white beaches of Anna Maria Island, it was February. The weather was cooler, but the beauty abounded. The second time we visited in August, which mean the classic, tropical weather that you expect when you visit Florida. Both times I visited AMI, I was in love…cool or hot!

I’ve shared with you before about my favorite beaches and restaurants and I’m happy to add to that list with some can’t miss Anna Maria Island activities.

What is there to eat on Anna Maria Island?

Here is my problem. The number one thing I like to do is experience new places to eat. So, I can’t help it but share a little bit more about some of my favorite restaurants.

The Sandbar Restaurant. If you love seafood, this is the restaurant for you! It’s a unique place with a rich history. And the best part? You get to eat with your toes in the sand. That screams vacation!

The Blue Marlin. If you’re looking for a restaurant with delicious food, gracious hosts and plentiful character, The Blue Marlin answers the call. They have a crab Trap Yard in the back of their 1920’s cottage where they offer live music on the weekend. You’ll feel like you are in the Caribbean. I feasted on their tater soup and hush puppies. And for dessert? Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie. Just do it. Trust me.

The Donut Experiment. Fresh donuts, made daily, topped with your choice of glazes, sprinkles, candies….you name it. Enough said. My favorite? Maple frosting with mini chocolate chips. Because the warm donut melts the chocolate chips into a gooey chocolate glaze. I could eat 10 of them, no lie.

Poppo’s Taqueria. If you love Mexican street food, you’ll fall for this fast, casual dining experience with all-natural food ingredients. Their sodas have no high fructose corn syrup and they even serve a locally brewed Kombucha tea. I had a “Baby Bowl” with shredded beef for a light lunch. It was just the right size!

Farmer’s Markets. I love to shop at local markets. There are two on the island but more on the mainland. The Bridge Street Market and the Coquina Beach Market. Both are open seasonally and offer more than just fresh produce.

Where can I go to shop on Anna Maria Island?

Pine Avenue Shops. The shops of Pine Avenue on Anna Maria Island are bright, colorful and full of eclectic, island style. The shop owners are friendly and more than happy to share not only the history of the island, but their stories of how they ended up on the island. One of my favorite shops? The Shiny Fish Emporium. We got to paint sand dollars there, so of course it is my favorite! While you are there, you can stop at the city jail.

There are so many places to find just the perfect beach life accessories. The chamber of commerce keeps an active list of all the shopping on Anna Maria Island.

Bridge Street has a few shops but it also has a GEM of a coffee shop. Tintos, Colombian Coffee Shop & Bakery is just amazing.

We were shopping on bridge street we ran into this little shop and tried some iced coffee and pastries. They were fantastic.

What can I do for fun on Anna Maria Island?

Parasailing. I don’t have the best track record with water activities. I’ve had canoeing and jet ski adventures go very badly. Just don’t even ask.  But heading to the beach with the girls? You can bet I wanted to give parasailing a try! I’m not exactly the craziest, most adventurous person, but I figured parasailing was fairly low-risk. And guess what?! I survived! I loved the experience. Getting to see the gulf coast from I’m-not-even-going-to-ask-how-many feet up in the air? Priceless. We saw dolphins jumping in the wake of the boat as we floated in the breeze. I HIGHLY recommend this! I also highly recommend taking motion sickness medicine if boating bothers you. 😛

Charter Fishing. The boys went charter fishing this year. It was a blast! Captain Keith was so great.

The boys went out 30 miles into the ocean and brought back dinner! Again, if you get sea sick easily, take some motion sickness medicine. Did you know giant grouper can be 300 to 400 pounds? I didn’t know that!

Is there a place to Golf on Anna Maria Island?

Key Royale Club. Yes! I am not a big golfer but there are some beautiful courses both on and off the island.

Where do I rent bikes or golf carts on Anna Maria Island?

There are several rental places on AMI. We have used Beach Bums in the past. They are very professional and easy to work with. Anna Maria is small enough that you can get just about anywhere on a bicycle. They also rent kayaks, paddle boards, and give tours as well.

For Golf Carts, I would recommend AMI Golf Cart Rentals. They have a nice selection of golf carts, especially if you need one with more seats.

Are there free beaches on Anna Maria Island?

Some vacations I have gone to have locked or private beaches. It makes it hard to take a long walk along the shore. Fortunately Anna Maria is very rural and most beaches are open to the public. We often walk several miles each morning around the island.

We’re already planning our next vacation to Anna Maria Island. Come the end of February?  You’ll find me lounging on this white sand beach.

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What’s your favorite thing to do when traveling?

Ours is….eat. I bet you couldn’t guess, right? Relaxing with a book in the sunshine or hiking in a park are both close seconds, but as soon as I start planning a vacation, you can be that I’m looking up the best donut shops, coffee shops and fish & chip restaurants to hit up.

Anna Maria has a total island feel and this is reflected even in the restaurants. I’m not saying that there’s no fancy, upscale restaurants around, but a lot of the most delicious places to eat look like dives I’d never want to enter if they were in little ol’ Ohio. Chipped paint, plastic chairs & tables, serves in shorts and T-shirts….but serving some of the most savory food around.

Anna Maria Island Restaurants {Best Breakfast}

1. The Donut Experiment
2. Ginny’s and Jane E’s Bakery Cafe
3. Northshore Cafe
4. Tintos Colombian Coffee Shop
5. The Waffle Press
6. Peach’s Restaurant
7. The Island Creperie
8. Island Beach Cafe

The Donut Experiment

You can 100% bet that the first thing I looked up when I knew we were heading to AMI was “The Best Donuts on AMI”. The Donut Experiment hit the top search ranking, and for good reason. Think hot, fresh donuts, dipped in your choice of glaze and your choice of topping. The donuts were cakey & light with a slight crispy exterior. The glaze hits the warm donut and soaks in perfectly. Drooling yet?

My only complaint about this restaurant is that the donuts are too small. You’ll need to order two. Just trust me on this one. I think between the 7 of us we tested pretty much all of their combinations. My favorite? Maple glaze dipped in mini chocolate chips. The chocolate chips melted just ever so slightly in the warm glaze. Oh my….it was so good I could’ve cried. I’m keeping it a secret how many donuts I tried during the week. 🙂

Ginny and Jane E’s Cafe

The bakery’s interior features an eclectic mix of vintage items such as old-fashioned clocks, colorful signs, and whimsical art pieces that create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. It is my kind of artistic heaven. The cafe’s outdoor seating area is decorated with colorful chairs, tables, and parasols, giving it a cheerful and inviting ambiance. The bakery is situated along the main thoroughfare (gulf drive). I am pretty excited to sit there when I retire, drink my coffee, and watch the world go by.

We stopped here for our morning sugar fix and it is obvious that this is an island favorite! It was bustling! It is an eclectic gift shop and cafe all in one. Their cinnamon rolls and pecan rolls were soft, warm and about as big as our faces. No lie. And we LOVE our cinnamon rolls!

North Shore Cafe

North Shore Cafe has indoor and outdoor seating options, and its decor is inspired by the coastal surroundings, with beachy accents and warm colors. The menu at North Shore Cafe offers a variety of breakfast and brunch options, with an emphasis on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Our favorites at are the Acai Bowl, the Dragonfruit Bowl, and the Avocado Toast.

Anna Maria Island Restaurants {Lunch}

For lunch we often crave sub or deli sandwiches. Our top goto restaurants are:

1. The Cheesecake Cutie
2. Scott’s Deli

You can’t go wrong with either place. If I had to choose, I would probably pick The Cheesecake Cutie first. But, you have to try them both. My favorite is the Little Joey Italian sub. Scott’s Deli has hot sandwiches. I usually also get their Italian sub but I am next time I think I will try the AMI Philly!

Anna Maria Island Restaurants {Dinner}

1. Anna Maria Oyster Bar
2. Harry’s Grill
3. The Ugly Grouper Bar & Grill
4. The Feast Restaurant
5. The Sandbar Restaurant
6. The Waterfront Restaurant
7. Beach Bistro
8. The Beach House Restaurant

Anna Maria Island has a whole host of great dinner choices. We tend to be pretty chill. Anna Maria Oyster Bar is our go to favorite for fish and chips. The Cortez Beach location sits right out on the bay so the atmosphere is as good as the food and the prices can’t be beat. Harry’s grill tends to be a favorite of ours, island feel but classic food. Our parents really enjoy Harry’s and the Feast restaurant.

Of course the list is longer and we have eaten at most of these restaurants at least once. Let us know what restaurants you like the best!

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We like quiet, more private beaches rather than party beaches. Because we’re introverts like that. Everyone has their own idea of what they like in a beach, but here’s our favorite picks!

#1 Best Beach Anna Maria – Bean Point

Bean Point takes first place in the best beaches Anna Maria Island. It is gorgeous and spacious enough that it never feels crowded. It’s where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Tampa Bay. The day we were there was a windy day and the water was very rough. However, I’ve never seen waves go in so many different directions. There were rip-tide current warnings and there’s no way I would let my kids swim right at the spot we were the day we were there. But I’m betting this spot is absolutely beautiful on a calm day. It’s also well-known for its gorgeous sunsets!

#2 Best Beach Anna Maria – Holmes Beach

Ok, this beach may not be on any other site as the best beach on Anna Maria Island. However, our favorite beach was simply the beach that we accessed by walking 3 minutes to a beach access point in between vacation houses. It was fairly private and was a great spot for watching the sunset. You will love it here! I don’t believe this beach had a name, unless it was Holmes Beach, which is the town it was in.

Holmes Beach is The crystal-clear water and soft sand provide a perfect backdrop for sunbathing, swimming, and other beach activities. Additionally, the area is surrounded by lush vegetation and scenic views, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers. Whether you want to spend time with family or friends, or simply enjoy a peaceful afternoon by yourself, Holmes Beach is the perfect destination to unwind and soak up the sun.

It was simple and pretty. The kids had a blast playing in the water.

There is a beach restaurant called AMI Beach Cafe within walking distance. It has good food, sand volleyball, and live music most evenings.

#3 Best Beach Anna Maria – Manatee Beach

This beach is crowded even in the cooler February weather. Because it is so busy, the beach has a lifeguard and a restaurant right on the beach. I’ve never watched the sunset with so many people. It was gorgeous!

#4 Best Beach Anna Maria – Coquina Beach

Coquina Beach is a beautiful park to walk through. We walked a little bit on the beach, played on the playground and walked the trails. It was pretty and quiet.

I saw a family carrying a major amount of large seashells off the beach. If you are an avid seashell and nature enthusiast, Leffis Beach is the place to go.

#5 Best Beach Anna Maria – Leffis Key

I was wanting to find somewhere to sight-see in the mangroves and this was the place to go! There were nature trails all through this preserve, which is on the bay. The highlight? Climbing the hill where you can get a panoramic view of Sarasota Bay. Breathtaking! If you have a day you want to be away from the beach, it’s worth a visit.

That’s just a peek into the best beaches on Anna Maria Island. I’m sure there are more that we didn’t get to explore! The honest truth is, Anna Maria Island is, well, an island. There are beautiful beaches everywhere. Our favorite activity every morning is to walk to Holmes beach and just walk around the island enjoying the scenery.

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It was named after George Bean who in 1893 settled with his family on the North Point of the island. It is just one of so many beaches on Anna Maria Island. Two amazing books about the history of Anna Maria, The Early Days 1893-1940 by Carolyne Norwood, and Anna Maria Island by Bonner Joy. In these books, they tell the story of how “old Florida” was founded.

Bean Point isn’t that much different than it was over eighty years ago. Namely, the white sandy beaches and clear water are a joy.

Q: What do you look for in a beach?

We have seen sharks, dolphins, stingrays, and starfish. In the spring season, sea turtles visit the shores of Anna Maria island to lay their eggs. Manatees are hard to see in the open water but we have hear of them being spotted on Bean Point. However, every morning you can see Manatees at the Coral Castle AMI. They love to hang out by the back deck.

How do I get to Bean Point?

There isn’t any parking around bean point. The best thing to do is to park by the City Pier. Island Real Estate gives a great description of how to get to Bean Point. On your way to the City Pier, you have to stop at the local Donut Experiment. They have the most amazing donuts in the world!

Looking for the best place to stay on Anna Maria Island? See our favorite spot!

What are some other things you can do on Anna Maria Island? Check out 10 can’t miss things to do on Anna Maria Island.

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