"Paradise Without Attitude." When you visit a wonderful little Gulf Coast of Florida island known as Anna Maria Island, you will discover that the island's slogan couldn't be more accurate. Still free of the concrete jungles of high-rise condos, you can actually see a lot of the island's seven miles of sugary soft, sandy beaches. Considered by many to be one of the few remaining "old-Florida-like" areas of the state, Anna Maria Island is a nature photographer's dream come true. Crystal clear turquoise blue waters, unbeatable sunsets, and the flora and fauna make the island a magical place to photograph.
Anna Maria Island is kid-friendly and pet-friendly, and just plain friendly folks abound on the island. Situated between Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida, the island is bordered on the north and the east by Tampa Bay. To the south is Sarasota Bay. The island has 3 small towns.....the city of Anna Maria is the northern town; Holmes Beach is the central town, and Bradenton Beach is the southern town. A little less than 10,000 residents happily claim Anna Maria Island to be their permanent home.
On the island, you will find just about anything and everything to suit your vacation and/or living tastes. Awarding-winning restaurants and accommodations, an island playhouse and art galleries to feed your cultural interests, fishing charters, sunset boating cruises, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, shelling, shopping till you drop, and just plain ole relaxing on the beach are just a sampling of the multitude of things to see and do on Anna Maria Island.
A free trolley system runs daily from 6:00 am to 10:30 pm. Three trolleys rotate, going from one end of the island to the other, making frequent stops along the way, and allowing visitors and residents alike the pleasure of just drinking in the beauty and activities of the island without having to drive.
Planning a beach wedding? Anna Maria Island is the beach wedding capital of Florida. Here on the island, you will not only find the most beautiful location for the picture-perfect beach wedding of your dreams, you will also find everything else you will need and want, such as caterers, cakes, carriages, florists, jewelry, honeymoon suites, limousines, music, officiates for your ceremony, and photographers. It doesn't get any better than that! And this year, for the first time, the island hosted its first annual Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival. Wedding merchants held open houses and the trolley system and limo services chauffeured participants around to the various locations. The festival culminated with a sunset finale on the beach, complete with complimentary wedding cake, champagne and the grand prize drawing--a fantastic free wedding package!
Anna Maria Island IS a paradise. And the friendly, laid-back people here truly make it "Paradise Without Attitude."
