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Anna Maria Island, sometimes called Anna Maria Key, is a barrier island on the coast of Manatee County, Florida in the United States. It is bounded on the west by the Gulf of Mexico, on the south by Longboat Pass (which separates it from Longboat Key), on the east by Sarasota Bay and Sarasota Pass, and on the north by Tampa Bay. Anna Maria Island is approximately seven miles long north to south. Anna Maria Island is at latitude 27.513N, longitude -82.719W.
Anna Maria Island is serviced by a free trolley-style bus that runs north and south on Gulf Drive. The trolley connects with both the MCAT (Manatee County Area Transit) system serving the greater Bradenton area, and the SCAT (Sarasota County Area Transit) system. The MCAT connects to the trolley at Manatee Public Beach, at the intersection of State Road 789 and State Road 64.[3] The SCAT connects to the trolley at Coquina Beach, at the south end of Anna Maria Island, just before the Longboat Key Bridge[4]. Several local taxi companies serve Anna Maria Island.
Anna Maria Island was only accessible by boat until 1921, when the wooden Cortez Bridge was constructed from the fishing village of Cortez to what is now Bridge Steet in Bradenton Beach. The remaining parts of the Cortez Bridge are used as a fishing pier
Average Temperature: 80.7 degrees
Average Rainfall: 37.6 inches
Average Snowfall: 0 inches
Population (2000 Census): 1,814
Increase from 1990: 70 (4.0%)
Registered Voters: 1,506
Bradenton Beach is a city on Anna Maria Island in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,482 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 1,561. [1] It is part of the Bradenton–Sarasota–Venice Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Bradenton Beach is located at 27°28′16″N 82°41′59″W / 27.47111°N 82.69972°W / 27.47111; -82.69972 (27.471006, -82.699682).[3]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.8 km² (1.1 mi²). 1.4 km² (0.6 mi²) of it is land and 1.4 km² (0.6 mi²) of it (50.00%) is water.
Holmes Beach is a city on Anna Maria Island in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,966 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 5,100 [1]. It is part of the Bradenton–Sarasota–Venice Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Holmes Beach is located at 27°30′35″N 82°42′57″W / 27.50972°N 82.71583°W / 27.50972; -82.71583 (27.509782, -82.715852)[3].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.5 km² (1.7 mi²). 4.2 km² (1.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (6.36%) is water.
Anna Maria Island gets its own local music radio station
As of New Year's Eve, Anna Maria Island gained its own radio station, WAMi Radio. As The Anna Maria Island Sun reported, the station airing at 1700 AM is a project of Casey and Robert Herman. The plan is to air music from local musicians for the first three months without any commercials. After that, the station plans a format of entertainment and information. There will also be an Internet broadcast component, the report said. So far, the local archive is comprised of more than 1,300 recording from 120 artists. The station also plans to promote live music scheduled at local venues.
Photographers’ tips for getting postcard-worthy Florida sunset
Most of the magic occurs after the sunset, the pros say. Take a lot of pictures and turn around to see how the setting sun is coloring the landscape.
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Common Sense Beach Swimming Rules
Swim within the "Safe Bathing Areas", if marked, at all times.
Florida sunshine is intense. Please be careful when sunbathing and use sunscreen with a high SPF
Learn to Swim - Learning to swim is the best defense against drowning.
Never Swim Alone - Always swim with a companion. At the very least, have someone onshore who can call for help.
Don't Fight the Current - Rip currents are powerful currents of water moving away from shore. They can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea. If caught in a rip current, don't fight it by trying to swim directly to shore. Instead, swim parallel to shore until you feel the current relax, then swim to shore. Most rip currents are narrow, and a short swim parallel to shore will bring you to safety. The same forces that cause rip currents also cause longshore currents. These currents are most evident when waves hit the shore at an angle. This tends to cause the water to be pushed along the beach away from the direction of the oncoming waves. Usually, longshore currents are less hazardous than rip currents because they move along the shore, not away from the shore, but they can knock children and weaker adults off their feet. More importantly, longshore currents can feed and increase the power of rip currents. In other words, the longshore current may move along the shore, then turn offshore to become a rip current.
Swim Sober - Alcohol is a major factor in drowning. Alcohol impairs swimming ability and good judgement.
Don't Float Where You Can't Swim - Often, non-swimmers dangerously use floatation devices to go offshore, If they fall off, they can quickly drown. The only exception is a person wearing a Coast Guard approved life jacket.
Don't Dive Headfirst, Protect Your Neck - Diving headfirst into unknown water and striking the bottom can lead to serious, lifelong injuries, including paraplegia. Check for depth and obstructions before diving, and then go in feet first the first time. Use caution while bodysurfing, always extending a hand ahead of you.
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