Guest Guide
Anna Maria Island beaches and where to actually park
Five Anna Maria Island beaches within a short drive, listed the way we'd pick between them: by how hard it is to leave the car.
Before you head out
Parking is the whole game here. On a normal day you have plenty of room until late morning. On a holiday weekend or during spring break, the lots fill much earlier, so it helps to be on the road by 9:00 AM. Anna Maria Island beaches are busiest from February through April.
One safety note: Manatee, Cortez and Coquina are the only three beaches in Manatee County with lifeguards. Cover runs 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the cooler months and 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM in summer. Everywhere else on this list is unguarded.
If Manatee Public Beach is already full, head south on E Bay Dr. Cortez Beach is a couple of miles down, with Coquina Beach just past it. Both have more parking, though on peak days they tend to fill by noon.
Manatee Public Beach Start here
Straight down Manatee Ave, at the end of the causeway. Restrooms, food, a few shops, and a tiki bar. Chairs and umbrellas are available to rent, and Fun and More Rentals on AMI is the one we've used.
- Regular day
- 11:00 AMLatest we'd risk it
- Peak or holiday
- 9:00 AMSpring break, long weekends
If the lot is full
Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Dr in Holmes Beach, lets beachgoers park for a donation. It is two blocks up Gulf Drive, about a four minute walk to the sand. Leave your donation as directed on site.
Our move: pull into Manatee, drop everyone and the chairs and the cooler at the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, then go park at the church and walk back.
Sunday mornings are the exception. The church is in use from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM, so plan around that.
One of our spots on Holmes Beach
Close to the public beach, but drive to 27.505270, -82.716892 and you'll find a handful of parking spots most people drive right past.
Open in mapsBean Point Beach
The quietest of the Anna Maria Island beaches, out at the north tip. At 27.532930, -82.741974 there's a crosswalk with beach access. Park in the gravel and shell areas along the side of the road, and keep all four tires off the pavement.
Open in mapsCortez Beach
Parking spots run down the street, so there's usually something open even when Manatee has given up.
Open in mapsCoquina Beach
The most parking of any of the Anna Maria Island beaches on this list, by a wide margin. If you're heading out late or with a big group, this is the safe bet. Coquina Beach Cafe is right there.
Open in mapsParking near the houses and on side streets
Most island streets end at a public path to the Anna Maria Island beaches, and you can park along many of them. The rule that catches visitors is simple and enforced year round: all four tires must be completely off the pavement. Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach all require it, and a ticket runs about $75. There is often no curb or paint showing where the road ends, so pull further onto the gravel or grass than feels necessary.
A few other things that will get you a citation:
- Any block posted with no parking signs. Signs win, always.
- Blocking a driveway, public or private. Residents call these in quickly.
- Within 30 feet of an intersection or a stop sign, and within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
- On a sidewalk or bike path, or within 20 feet of a crosswalk.
- Facing the wrong way. Your right-hand wheels should point with the direction of traffic.
- Overnight at Manatee Public Beach, where the lot is closed 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Some residential blocks in Holmes Beach are permit only. If you see decal or permit signage, keep driving and use one of the public lots instead.
Plan the rest of your trip
Our Anna Maria Island travel guide covers where we eat, swim and watch the sunset. Visiting in February, March or April? See our Anna Maria Island spring break guide for weather, flights and big homes for families.
Plan your stay nearby
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