Looking for ways to enjoy the summer weather and get out of the house? What could be better than enjoying the summer in Florida? Anna Maria Island is a little-known island just south of Tampa that has everything you could want! From beautiful beaches to crystal clear water, great food, and plenty to do, AMI is the perfect vacation spot!
We have some great, affordable Anna Maria Island rentals that are perfect for family outings. Not only do we have some of the most gorgeous island rentals, but there are also some incredible activities to get you outside in the sunshine! Anna Maria Island is a fantastic spot for dolphin tours and other wildlife. Below, we have collected some of our favorite tours for you and the family to check out!
AMI Dolphin Tours
This incredible dolphin tour company will get you out on the water and into the beauty of nature in no time! AMI Dolphin Tours offers a number of different trips with Captain Ben Webb, ranging from 4-hour private tours to 2-tour public tours at sunset. Captain Ben holds a U.S. Coast Guard, 100 Ton, Master Captain’s license, so you know you’ve got the best captain looking out for you and your family.
One of the most popular offerings here is the 1.5-hour public guided Dolphin Eco Tour. Anna Maria Island boasts some of the most beautiful waters and plenty of wildlife, so don’t let the name confuse you—on this tour, you can see dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, osprey and more! This tour is an excellent way to get close to these majestic creatures.
If you want something a bit more active, AMI Dolphin Tours also offers shelling trips and snorkeling to Egmont Key to help you cool off in the water.
These tours will get you out of the house and out on the water for some incredible time with wildlife! Excursions to Egmont Key last 3-4 hours and will give you everlasting memories.
AMI Dolphin Tours is known for their affordability, so you can participate on any budget. Public dolphin tours and public sunset tours start at just $35 for a 1.5-hour tour, while the public Egmont Key Ferry starts at $60 for a 4-hour experience. Tours leave from the Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club, located at 5500 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach.
YOLO Adventures
With this fun name, how could you not have a good time? On YOLO Adventure Tours, their experienced boat captains will take you through the intercoastal waterways to see the amazing wildlife that Anna Maria Island has to offer.
YOLO Adventures has two different tours, the Dolphin and Eco Tour and the Sunset Cruise, each two hours long. Your family will be able to see breathtaking wildlife including dolphins, sting rays, and more. In addition to the incredible sights, you’ll also learn about the animals and the history of the area as your captain tells you everything you need to know.
If that isn’t enough for you, book one of their parasailing experiences and get an aerial view of the scenery! You can also embark on a snorkeling adventure or rent an Anna Maria Island fishing charter. With the crystal-clear waters surrounding AMI, you can catch a glimpse of a range of sea creatures from the air and create lifelong memories.
YOLO Adventures gives you tons of ways to have fun on the water. Prices for public tours start at $35 for adults, and private tours start at $25 per person per hour. Tours happen daily, so you can easily fit an excursion into your itinerary! YOLO Adventures is located at 135 Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach.
Beach Bums
If you are looking for something a bit more active, Beach Bums Island Attitudes is your spot! Beach Bums will take you on a magical kayak tour through the beautiful mangrove systems and out into the Anna Maria Sound. Here, you can spot some dolphins up close and personal!
The tour begins with an orientation on how to operate an ocean kayak with proper paddling technique. You’ll also learn a bit about the mangrove system and how it impacts the ecology of Florida. Once you finally set off, your guide will take you to Bimini Bay, where manatees are often found feeding in the canals. You’ll also pass under the Kay Royal Bridge, explore a bird rookery, and visit a Mangrove island and an oyster shoal!
On your adventure, tour guides are there to help navigate and answer any questions, so this is a great opportunity to learn about the local wildlife. These tours are a fantastic way to see some of the amazing wildlife around Anna Maria Island up close and personal. If you want to explore on your own, Beach Bums also offers rentals for kayaks, paddleboards, and bicycles. Beach Bums is located at 427 Pine Avenue in the City of Anna Maria.
Plan Your Vacation
With so many opportunities to get up close with dolphins and see the sights on Anna Maria Island, there is sure to be plenty of fun for your family! Contact us today for help booking your dream Anna Maria vacation rental!
More to Do on AMI
Once you’ve had your awesome dolphin tour, what else can you get into? There are tons of fun things to do in Anna Maria Island no matter what you’re interested in. You can start by exploring the shorelines at Coquina Beach, Bayfront Park, and Manatee Public Beach. Head into any of the local restaurants for some of the freshest Florida seafood there is. There are also plenty of opportunities for souvenir shopping in the local boutiques, particularly along Bridge Street and Pine Avenue!
To get between all these attractions, you don’t have to bother with driving. Walking, biking, or renting a golf cart are all common options for locals and visitors alike. One of the most convenient ways to get around the island is by taking the free island trolley! You can hop on and off as you please, and since there are so many stops all across Anna Maria Island, you’ll never be waiting long. You can even take the trolley onto the mainland for a small fee.
Anna Maria Island is the perfect getaway spot for you and your family to enjoy some of the great outdoors. With so much to do, it’s hard to imagine a dull moment in this fun little beach paradise. It’s a fantastic place for the family to get out of the house and get into the sun! If you’re searching for a place where you can forget your worries and truly relax without a ton of tourist crowds and hustle and bustle, Anna Maria Island should be your next vacation destination.At Lizzie Lu’s, we are proud to maintain comfortable and affordable Anna Maria Island rentals. Our staff is happy to help you select the rental that’s right for you, your group, and your budget. Many of our rentals are also pet friendly, so your pets can enjoy as well. Check out some of these affordable Anna Maria Island pet-friendly rentals to get started. With so much to do at Anna Maria Island, it’s hard to find a better place for the whole to vacation in Florida!
