Anna Maria Island

[allancal]

We are booked up for October 2021, and keeping our fingers crossed, and are considering a few days on Anna Maria Island. Have never been there before and just wondering if anyone has any information about the area. Places to stay, best area of the island etc. Just trying to gather as much information as I can before taking the plunge.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

I haven’t but I think Tim Tracker did a vlog about a stay there, very recently.

 

[allancal]

Thanks Welsh Dragon. It was Tim’s vlog that gave us the idea. He seemed to be on the north of the island (around the Sandbar restaurant) and I was looking for any first hand experiences of other areas. Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach in particular. Just looking for the best place to park up for 2 or 3 days and be within walking distance of shops and restaurants.

 

[TimC40]

We've visited AM several times and would recommend the North end if you want peace and quiet, there is free trolley bus that covers the whole island and usually runs until 9.30 pm. October is a great time to go as it will still be warm but not too busy.

 

[allancal]

Many thanks TimC40. I have had a look on Google maps and it looks like there are a number of restaurants etc at the North end of the island. It sounds as if this would be a good location for us. Can I just ask if you had a rental property or stayed at a resort? I'm currently looking at both options.

 

[ngl]

We live about an hour away from AMI and the beach is very pretty. It is a quiet, small beach town with small restaurants at the north end as you mention. The island is pretty small so you really can't go wrong staying anywhere and most of us in the local area will rent properties there. I will say our weather in October can be hit or miss. Later in the month we typically get our first cold spell. There is not a ton to do if the weather isn't great so will just need to drive to other areas for activities. Of course, for us Floridians 75 is cold so just depends!

 

[Kevin Stringer]

Hi allancal

We went to Anna Maria back in 2017 and had a great time.
If you want some more information have a look at our trip report here: www.kevinstringer.co.uk then click on the link for October 2017 - Anna Maria Island and Old Key West.
We were at the north end of the island and we preferred it to anywhere else we saw. I wouldn't worry too much about needing to walk to shops and restaurants as the free trolley bus takes you just about anywhere.

 

[gavvy]

I think I have been missing out by not visiting here. What is the best way to book accommodation- Air BNB?

 

[Kevin Stringer]

Gavyy - we just look around all the big sites - airbnb - vrbo etc.
Just put Anna Maria Island rentals into a search engine and start looking. We found that there are loads of properties to rent, it's just a question of finding the one that suits you the best.

 

[gavvy]

Thanks, may have to tag on a trip next year

 

[Wakey]

It’s very nice; last year we went on a day trip when staying at WDW. On the road you come in on at the T junction, there’s a big car park in front of the beach.

 

[Lucys dad]

It’s very nice; last year we went on a day trip when staying at WDW. On the road you come in on at the T junction, there’s a big car park in front of the beach.

How long was the drive ? Ive had a look on google maps but they tend to be a bit hit and miss with accuracy.

Many thanks

 

[Wakey]

How long was the drive ? Ive had a look on google maps but they tend to be a bit hit and miss with accuracy.

Many thanks

Cant remember exactly but maybe hour and half.

 

[Kevin Stringer]

I'd say it closer to 2 hours if the traffic is good. Of course, it depends where you start from.

 

[allancal]

Our mind is made up! Definitely going to have 3 days on Anna Maria. Just planning for a quiet few days before driving to Orlando and any location on the island sounds just great.

 

[Lucys dad]

Hi allancal

We went to Anna Maria back in 2017 and had a great time.
If you want some more information have a look at our trip report here: www.kevinstringer.co.uk then click on the link for October 2017 - Anna Maria Island and Old Key West.
We were at the north end of the island and we preferred it to anywhere else we saw. I wouldn't worry too much about needing to walk to shops and restaurants as the free trolley bus takes you just about anywhere.

Thats a good read. Nice one.