Anna Maria Beach(Anna Maria Public Beach)

Located in the city of Anna Maria, Anna Maria Beach is a long and wide beach situated near the northern side of Anna Maria Island. Also known as Anna Maria Public Beach, Anna Maria Beach has beautiful white sand and is surrounded by many old fallen tree stumps where you will many families and couples.  Anna Maria Beach is situated in front of the very beautiful Palma Sola Bay at the northern end of the town of Longboat Key.  

Anna Maria Beach offers many amenities including lifeguards, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, barbecues, boat ramps, a party scene, a playground, and a fishing pier. 

There are many fun activities at Anna Maria Beach including swimming, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, biking, fishing, sailing, beachcombing, picnicking, photography, and sunbathing. 

Anna Maria Beach’s free parking lot is situated at 4000 Gulf Drive – after parking, you will need to walk four minutes south to the beach.

If you are looking for attractions near Anna Maria Beach, you can drive 20 minutes to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium that is home to sea creatures including jellyfish, great white sharks, captive killer whales, rockfishes, African penguins, and the Pacific Sea nettles. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are spread across 15 acres and feature preserved collections of more than 20,000 plants including orchids, bromeliads, banyans, bamboo, wildflowers, a butterfly garden, a koi pond, and an edible garden. The historical Sarasota Opera House has been the performance stage for many world-renowned artists including Elvis Presley, Will Rogers, Charlton Heston, and Dorothy Lamour. Another great attraction near Anna Maria Beach is St. Armands Circle which is well-regarded for its shopping centers, boutiques, ancient shops, and restaurants. 

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants within a seven-minute drive of Anna Maria Beach. Drift Kitchen and Bar is an Italian-American restaurant emphasizing seafood, craft cocktails, and has an extensive wine list. Another good restaurant near Anna Maria Beach is the vegetarian-friendly Cafe L'Europe which boasts its award-winning American-European cuisines and wines. 

If you are looking for a hotel near Anna Maria Beach, there are many hotels within a 15-minute drive. Spread across 440 acres, The Resort at Longboat Key Club is a 4-Star beachfront hotel featuring a golf course, spa, gym, an oceanside pool, six restaurants, 20 tennis courts, and bike and water sports equipment rentals. The 3-Star pet-friendly hotel Lido Beach Resort has a pool, bar, gym, convenience store, and two restaurants with one on the roof. If you are looking for affordable hotels near Anna Maria Beach, the 3-Star Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach offers a lounge, pool, gift shop, and restaurant – and Holiday Inn Sarasota - Lido Beach welcomes pets and has a poolside bar, restaurant, and fitness center.