Anna Maria Island Trip Hightlights 2024
Anna Maria trip highlights! Lots to do and see, places to eat, and more. But the very best part is the BEACH and that turquoise water!
I thought I’d share a few of the highlights from our recent Anna Maria Island trip today! I love to share the places we stay also in case you are interested. But really, it’s hard not to share the beauty of this amazing place with the world!
Here are posts from previous AMI trips:
We’ve been more times than that. Once in 2017 for Thanksgiving which was fun!
But we’ve been going since 2000, our first time there.
Anna Maria Island Trip Highlights
Bye, bye Virginia coastline and beaches!
Hello, Florida beaches!
We love staying in different places every time we go. It’s fun to try new homes/locations! We have stayed on the bay side (right on the water that time, Thanksgiving…it was beautiful), down further in the Bradenton Beach area of AMI and Holmes Beach area. Holmes Beach (upper section of the island) is by far our favorite area to stay.
Here are a few of the areas we’ve stayed over the years. (red dots)
The water is just gorgeous. Who needs the Caribbean?! ha! Seriously, though.
Hello, beautiful.
Heading from Tampa airport to AMI. Check out that ride!
This is the second year in a row using Turo. We rented a Ford Bronco last year and this year we rented this Jeep. We’ve had a great experience both times.
You can also rent a golf cart to scoot around the island if you prefer.
We stayed in this pink house (rented through Airbnb) which was perfect for us. Loved the decor, and the pool out back.
Nighttime swimming.
Piper loved being out there too.
Yep! She went along with us too. First plane ride for her and she did great!!
Plus the location. Which was close to everything and a very short walk to the beach.
Lizards, lizards everywhere.
When I was growing up (right here on the coast of VA) we had lizards all the time in our yard/porch, etc. I haven’t seen any in many, many years though. Where’d they go??
I’ll share a few places we went. Some old favorites, like the Rod & Reel Pier for breakfast (on the bay side)…
…and the Tiki Bar.
Funny.
The Beach House Restaurant.
I just love their walkway coming into the restaurant. So pretty with the slices of seashells!
Columbia at St. Armand’s Circle, of course! That is a “must visit every time” for the amazing food and “made at your table” mojitos with real sugar cane sticks. Yum!
And some new ones.
This “very much a dive” kinda place! Right down the road from our house.
The Doctors Office.
Not a dive! haha!
Such a cool place! My daughter and I went for a “girl’s night out”.
As soon as we sat down at our table they brought us each a yummy drink concoction in these little medicine cups! haha! Love it! Aren’t they clever?
Everything was just done so well.
I got the short rib. It was delicious!
Beach days, of course! Bean Point.
And who is that cutie?? (hee hee)
My sister-in-law had these coconut drinks brought to us on the beach! Haha how fun is that?? They literally walk it right down to you.
We didn’t get a photo of the guy who delivered them but my husband posed for the photo instead. lol
Always have to catch a sunset or two.
To the left of that beautiful sunset was this AMAZING sky!
Piper paw.
The windiest day I’ve ever seen on these beaches on our last beach day. And the roughest I’ve ever seen this water. (we had a very windy storm that blew in)
It’s usually so calm.
So windy it blew the sand covering my flip-flops quickly. My daughter and I finally went and sat where the sand was wet so we wouldn’t constantly keep getting pelted with that super fine sand.
The water is usually more like this…
…and this.
And yes, that is actually how the water looks!!
NO, that’s not true. It’s even more gorgeous in person.
Time to hop on that plane and head back to reality!
I hope you enjoyed seeing a few highlights from our trip to Anna Maria Island.
Let me know if you’ve ever been or if you plan to go!
PIN it to save it!
Have a great weekend!
xo
My hubby loved the freckled fin! We went twice last time we were there. I would like to go back someday but my hubby was looking at Destin or fort Walton beach – shorter drive time because he doesnāt want to fly anywhere anymore.
Yay!! Yes, all the boys went back the next day again!! lol Those areas are beautiful too. I totally understand that!! xo
Hi Nancy,
That trip looked amazing. I have now added that place to my bucket list. I am counting
down the days to my vacation. My husband and I are going to Greece and Athen for our
51st wedding anniversary. Never been there but will be going in 8 days. So excited.
Thanks for sharing and I love all your ideas and projects. You give me inspiration.
Have a blessed day!
Lana Smith
Tennessee
Hi Lana! Happy Anniversary! How fun will that be?? Greece is on my bucket list! Have the best time!! xoxo
Youāve inspired me with your travelogue! Well done! Beautiful photos! Almost forgot how much I miss Florida. š¢ Hope to be able to refer back to this post when Iām planning a trip there for my daughter & me. THANK YOU for sharing this! ā¤ļø
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that, Michelle! Thank you so much! It’s a great place for a mother/daughter trip! xoxo
So jealous!
It is truly an amazing place! Wish I could stay longer! xo
You do such great trip posts! I really enjoy them.
Aw, thanks, Deanna!! I am so very glad you enjoyed! xo
Always wanted to go there – maybe some day, but we’d best do it sooner rather than later – we’re seniors, and I don’t mean high school! Have been to Destin/Ft. Walton, Gulf Shores and the Clearwater Beach area many times. Thanks for the recommendations and tip on the car rental, too.
I hope you are able to go sometime, Sue! It’s such a beautiful place. :) xo
Love AMI. I live in Bradenton, so don’t go there during season. But my sisters will be here in Aug for our annual sisters week. We’ve rented a condo and will be footloose!
How lucky are you?! I get it about not going in season. What a great place to do an annual sisters week! xoxo
I stayed on AMI last fall and was quite disappointed. While the beaches were beautiful the island was super crowded even in the “off season”. There is no parking to speak of. We tried to visit Bean Point and grab a drink down there but again no parking. We loved Coquina Beach which thankfully had tons of parking and since it was on the other end of the island pretty quiet and serene. Next time I would stay at a place right on the beach within walking distance of restaurants etc.
Aw, I’m sorry to hear that! Yes, it can be busy but it still (to me) has such a relaxed vibe/feel. I think that is why I like staying up in Holmes beach area. The traffic at the roundabout at Bridge street and south from there is super busy. Sometimes you have to part just down the street from the beach access. We have never had a problem finding parking there but I know it can be busy at times. Luckily we always stay within walking to the beach etc. Coquina beach is definitely much more quiet, for sure! :)
Nancy, I sure love your travels and your sharing with us. We don’t do anything fun anymore and I just love love love living vicariously through you! You pick the coolest places to go. Thank you for the imaginary trip with you!!! Hugs!!!!
I’m so glad you enjoy, Michele! :) xo
Hello !! What about sharks there…???
saludos desde Uruguay !
ANA
I have never seen any sharks there ever!! And you’d be able to the water is so clear. Now, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any! lol Glad I haven’t!! xo
It looks like you and your family had a fabulous time! I’m going to put this place on my list of places to visit! Thanks for the highlights of your vacation!
Yes, do!! It’s a wonderful place to visit! :)