Which beach is best on Anna Maria Island?

[AliceinMaryland]

We are going to do a beach day while we are on our Disney vacation. I've narrowed it down to Anna Maria Island but there are several beaches on the island. Does anyone have an opinion as to which one you like best, and why? I'm looking for the clearest, shallowest, calmest water. We're leaning towards Manatee Beach or the City Park area. If you haven't heard of Anna Maria Island, please go look at some pics. You will die if you love clear water!!!!!! I can't wait to see it. Hope it's as beautiful as the pics.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

Hi, I grew up very close to AMI,

"Bradenton" Beach would be the best one on AMI.

Wide, flat, sandy beach, clear water. There is a concession stand, bathrooms, outside fresh water showers, a little gift shop with an ice cream place inside


Coquina, even though within sight of Bradenton Beach, has coarse crushed coquina shells making up most of the sand. Coquina is a longer thinner streatch of beach front with one denser area that spans both sides of the island where it bridges to LongBoat Key.

There are more grills and tables spead out througout the are, vs Bradenton beach has a small specific area for grills and tables.

If you drive about 20 mins south to Longboat Key (you can drive the entire length of AMI to the southpoint where it connects by bridge to Longboat Key ) to Lido Beach

The absolute best beach around is Siesta Key in Sarasota.

The best is super wide, sand is so fine, its like miles and miles of white powdered sugar. the water is crystal clear, you can see straight to the white sand bottom

 

[AliceinMaryland]

Thank you for the reply. I will look into Bradenton Beach. We did Siesta Key before and I agree it is beautiful. The sand is so soft like powdered sugar! We love that beach, we just wanted to keep searching for that perfect spot.

Now I have a stupid question. When we went to Siesta Key, the water was more like a clowdiesh green. It was not as clear as I would like, but it was sort of late afternoonish and the sun was off to the side. If I wanted optimal clear water, wouldn't I want to go when the sun is directly overhead?????? I know that sounds anal, I just want to swim in the clearest water possible LOL. I'm from MD and the beaches here are awful in my opinion and I love the water. I refuse to go in the water because I can't see whats in there with me!

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

Bradenton beach, is Manatee Beach, it dead ends Manatee Ave (SR 64)

as far as the water clarity, there is really no way of knowing how clear it will be from minute to minute.

I mean, there are just so many variable, time of day, if it's high tide or low tide, is there is a storm in the gulf, if it rained already that day, if there had been red tide, it algea's in bloom, if there is a boat race, or how much the dolphins pooed that day.

for truly clear water, you'd have to look into places like the Florida Keys.

You'd be less likely to find clear water where there is a stronger current or topographical change, such as the north point of AMI where you can see the Sunshine skyway, because it's on the north point, where the current rounds to island, the water will be greener.

are ya'll driving for the day, or staying overnight ?

 

[AliceinMaryland]

LOL ok Bradenton is Manatee! I'm thinking I like that one cause it has restrooms and the ice cream shack.

We went to the keys once to see the amazing clear water, and as luck would have it, there had just been some kind of tropical storm or hurricane and the water was all cloudy and lots of seaweed on the shore.

I just can't win with seeing the clear water! If I don't see it this time, I think I will just have to finally book that trip to the Bahamas or somewhere near there LOL. I'm dieing for that clear water!!!!!

We are just going for a few hours on one of our non park days and then coming back to orlando in the evening.