Anna Maria Island Properties

Anna Maria Island offers some of the best vacation rentals near the Gulf of Mexico. This family-friendly 7.5 mile barrier island is a paradise for beach lovers. Located off of Florida’s southwest coast, on the Gulf of Mexico, Anna Maria Island is comprised of three communities: Anna Maria on the north end, Holmes Beach in the middle, and Bradenton Beach to the south.

Anna Maria is the most residential and the quietest of the three communities. Holmes Beach is the largest, boasting the most residents and three miles of beach. Bradenton Beach is centered around its bay side pier area and Coquina Beach. Dining, shopping and beaches are abundant in all three areas.

Anna Maria Island is accessible from the mainland by the Cortez Bridge (State Route 684) the Palma Sola Causeway (State Route 64) The south end of the island is joined to Longboat Key by Gulf Drive (State Route 789).

Beautiful Anna Maria island has plenty of vacation rentals from which to choose. The island contains more than seven miles of beautiful clean beaches, numerous excellent restaurants, and a variety of things to do. You can choose from stunning bay view’s or a romantic tropical garden, or take a walk on the beautiful white sand beaches.

There is a very active community of artists in and around Anna Maria island, including a number of island galleries. There are also quite a number of art galleries in nearby Sarasota and Bradenton as well.

You’ll discover an abundance of activities on the island or you can just relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches and stunning views.

Anna Maria island, also known as Anna Maria Key, is located in Manatee County and it’s a barrier island. It is located on the Gulf of Mexico and it’s separated from Longboat Key, which is south of it, by Longboat Pass. To the north of the island lies Tampa Bay.

The island was first discovered by Native American tribes and then by Spanish explorers, the most well-known of which is Hernando de Soto in 1539.

The island was originally settled in the early 1900s by the Mayor of Tampa, Madison Post. Post named the island for his wife, Maria and her sister Anna. Cuban fishermen frequently visited the Anna Maria island and it was soon primarily a fishing community.

The first resident who permanently resided on the island was George Bean, who lived in the area that currently comprises Anna Maria city. After Mr. Bean passed away in 1898, his son George W. Bean became its owner. He formed a partnership with Charles Roser, formed a company, called the Anna Maria Beach company and began development by building houses, sidewalks, streets and a public water system.

To connect the island to mainland Florida, construction commenced on a bridge in 1921 and work was completed the following year. The bridge covered the span from Cortez to Bradenton Beach.

Almost 100 years later the island is one of Florida’s popular Gulf Coast locations. Its natural wonders have attracted numerous scholars with scientific interests such as marine biologists.

From May to October sea turtles come to the shore to nest. Anna Maria Island is also a bird sanctuary. There are number cranes, pelicans, feral parrots, herons, osprey, sandpipers, crows and seagulls. Dolphins are also present within the Intercostal waterway and surrounding waters.