Coquina Beach
The island's south-end gem: widest beach on AMI, shaded by a canopy of Australian pines, with lifeguards, picnic areas, and a bathhouse. Ten minutes from the cottage.
Local Guide
Your Anna Maria Island Guide
The best beaches, bites, and hidden corners of the island, collected from years of living here, so you can skip the guesswork and go straight to the good stuff.
Everything below is minutes from the front door of The Pink Cottage. Distances are short: most spots are within a ten-minute bike ride away.
The Beaches
Anna Maria Island's shoreline is famous for soft white sand and calm, shallow Gulf water, perfect for swimming, shelling, and slow sunset evenings.
Bean Point
The northern tip of the island where the Gulf meets Tampa Bay. Quieter, wild, and one of the best places on the island to watch the sunset.
Holmes Beach & Manatee Public Beach
The most central stretch: easy parking, food nearby, and calm water that's ideal for little ones. Our go-to for quick morning swims.
Bradenton Beach
A laid-back stretch by the historic Bridge Street pier, with soft sand and easy access to shops and casual eats.
Where to Eat & Drink
From toes-in-the-sand dining to morning coffee and cones, here are our local favorites.
The Sandbar
Beachfront fine dining
Sunset dining right on the sand in Anna Maria. Arrive early for a Gulf-front table.
Beach Bistro
Upscale coastal
A beloved Holmes Beach institution, consistently ranked among Florida's best restaurants.
Rod & Reel Pier
Casual seafood
No-frills fresh catch at the end of a fishing pier. Go for grouper sandwiches and bay views.
Ginny & Jane E's
Café & bakery
Quirky, colorful morning spot for coffee, muffins, and island gifts on the north end.
Two Scoops
Ice cream
The island's favorite scoop shop in Holmes Beach, perfect after an evening stroll.
The Waterfront Restaurant
Waterfront dining
Tucked along the canal in Anna Maria, great for a relaxed dinner away from the crowds.
Things to Do
Slow days are the point, but when you're ready to explore, the island keeps you busy without ever feeling busy.
Bike the island
AMI is flat and bike-friendly with lanes along the shoreline. The cottage has bicycles waiting for you.
Stroll historic Bridge Street
Bradenton Beach's oldest neighborhood: a walkable strip of shops, galleries, and waterside restaurants along the historic city pier. Don't miss the ice cream at the end of the pier.
Browse the Coquina Beach Market
An open-air market on the Coquina Beach grounds with local artists, crafts, and fresh finds, a colorful stop right by the sand, held seasonally on weekends and Wednesdays.
Paddle the mangroves
Kayak or paddleboard through the mangrove tunnels around Bimini Bay: calm water and frequent dolphin sightings.
Fish from the piers
The historic Anna Maria City Pier and Bradenton Beach Pier are free to stroll, with rod rentals and bait nearby.
Shop Pine Avenue
Anna Maria's 'Greenest Little Main Street': boutiques, galleries, and garden shops in restored island cottages.
Hunt for shells at low tide
Early morning on the Gulf side delivers the best finds, especially after a breeze.
Catch a sunset
Every evening is a show. Bean Point and the Sandbar area are our two favorite front-row seats.
Getting Around
You can happily visit the entire island without a car.
The free Island Trolley
A free trolley runs the length of the island every 20 minutes or so, from Anna Maria City to Coquina Beach. Hop on with beach gear included.
Walk or bike everywhere
The cottage sits on a quiet residential street; most beaches, cafés, and shops are under 15 minutes by bike. The cottage has 2 bikes available for you during your stay.
Golf carts & rentals
Street-legal golf cart rentals are a fun island tradition and easy to arrange locally. We also offer a 6-seater golf cart available to rent for your stay. Please inquire for pricing.
Parking tips
Free public parking exists at public beach lots but fills early in peak season. Go before 10am, or better yet, just walk 3 minutes to Holmes Beach across the street.
Easy Day Trips
When you want a change of scene, these are all within an easy drive (or short ferry ride).
Egmont Key
A wild, undeveloped barrier island with a historic lighthouse and clear snorkeling water, reached by ferry from Anna Maria. Bring water and a hat.
Longboat Key
A short drive south past Coquina Beach: quieter beaches and a peek at sailing country along Gulf of Mexico Drive.
Sarasota
About 45 minutes: the Ringling museums, St. Armands Circle shopping, and the famously soft quartz sand of Siesta Beach.
Bradenton
Over the bridge: the historic Village of the Arts, the Riverwalk, and the South Florida Museum and planetarium.
Insider Tips From Us
The little things we tell every guest who asks.
- Shelling is best at low tide in the morning. Bring a small mesh bag and head to the south end of the island.
- Reserve dinner for popular spots a day or two ahead in season; walk-ins are easy May through October.
- The best photo of the famous pink Sandbar sunset is from the sand, not the deck. Arrive 30 minutes early.
- Keep a pair of flip-flops by the door. The summer sand gets hot, and the driveway is shell-dotted.
- Groceries: there's a Publix grocery store, Walgreen's pharmacy and liquor store, gift shops and cafés minutes away, and bigger stores in Bradenton when you're stocking up.
- June through October is sea turtle season: keep porch lights off at night and leave marked nests alone. It's the law and it matters.
Come See It Yourself
The guide is a start. The real thing is better. Check availability and come stay at The Pink Cottage.