Anna Maria Island is one of the best things about living in Bradenton: take Manatee Avenue west, cross the bridge, and you're at the Gulf. A good day there starts with a bag that's packed the night before. Here is ours.
For you
- Polarized sunglasses. The glare off the water is strong even in October.
- Light shoes you can walk in on hot sand and boardwalks, then rinse off.
- Reef-friendly sunscreen, a refillable water bottle and a hat.
For the car
- A small towel on the driver's seat so sand stays out of the upholstery.
- A cordless mini vacuum for the floor mats on the way home.
- A tire inflator in the trunk. Beach parking lots and shell roads are hard on tires.
Before you go
Parking near the beaches fills up early on weekends, so arrive before 10am or use the free island trolley once you're there. Check the beach flag colors when you arrive, and give sea turtle nests their space. They're marked with stakes and tape from May to October.
