Anna Maria Island is the ideal destination for a family vacation as there are dozens of fun and kid-friendly activities available just about everywhere. Several of the island’s beautiful beaches offer incredible facilities for families such as picnic areas, grills, showers, restrooms, and lifeguards making them a top recreation option.
Biking on Anna Maria Island, swimming, and nature tours are popular activities for families. The top attractions on the island such as the City Pier, Anna Maria Island restaurants, Coquina Baywalk for wildlife viewing, and dolphin and whale watching tours are also perfect for families among many other things to do in the Bradenton area.
We also offer a wide range of beach and baby rental items for your convenience at very low weekly rates including Pack n’ Plays, High Chairs, Jogging Strollers, Beach Tents and more so that you can pack lightly and visit all the best destinations on the island with your entire family.
Be sure to visit the island’s top beaches
Anna Maria Island offers several options for family-friendly beaches nearby no matter where you plan on staying. Shell hunting, swimming, picnicking, sports, exercising, and wildlife viewing are some of the most popular activities for families on the scenic beaches of Anna Maria Island.
These beaches on Anna Maria Island below are some of the best options for families with children due to their facilities:
Manatee Beach Park
Manatee Beach Park is one of the most popular beaches on Anna Maria Island, and although you can expect it to be crowded on many days, it is a great option for families because of its excellent facilities. Amenities include free parking, bathrooms, showers, lifeguards, concessions, and picnic areas.
Manatee Beach Park is located in Holmes Beach toward the center of Anna Maria Island, so it can conveniently be reached no matter where your vacation rental or lodging is located. The free Anna Maria Island ferry also stops at Manatee Public Beach for your convenience, so you won’t need to take a vehicle if you prefer.
Coquina Beach Park
Coquina Beach Park is another great option for families as it offers similar facilities as Manatee Beach Park including a playground, picnic facilities, concession stand, restrooms, showers, volleyball pits, and free parking. Your family will love this charming white sand beach with its picturesque scenery and you’ll soon see why it’s one of the most popular beaches on Anna Maria Island.
It’s the perfect place to go for shell hunting or for a family picnic in the sun, and you’ll be able to choose from multiple pavilions and areas where you can grill. Coquina Beach definitely has a the “Old Florida” feeling with minimal structures nearby, making it a more relaxed setting than some of the other beaches in the area. Be sure to check this one out if you’re near the south end of the island, and the free trolley also goes here.
Other Anna Maria Island beaches
The other beaches of Anna Maria Island do not have lifeguard facilities unlike Coquina Beach Park and Manatee Beach Park, so bear that in mind if you bring young children or those who have troubles with swimming. However, if you supervise your children while swimming they can also be an excellent option to take your family, especially if you are looking for a more private location with fewer people.
Shell hunting on Anna Maria Island
Dedicated shell hunters will find plenty of unique and beautiful shells to take home as souvenirs throughout Anna Maria Island, and all of the island’s top beaches are a great option for shell hunting. The best time for shell hunting is after a storm, in the morning and after high tide. You can find shells in shallow water as well, not just on the beach, and some of the best and most intact shells are in the water. However, be careful that you avoid taking any live shells as this is not allowed.
Wildlife viewing and boat tours
Anna Maria Island offers several excellent options for wildlife viewing tours to see dolphins, manatees, birds and a wide range of other species. You might catch a glimpse of sea turtles and birds while you’re on the beaches, but if you want to get a close up of dolphins you will want to take a boat tour. The tours are very reasonable in terms of pricing for families, and you can usually book them with short notice. It’s the perfect way to take some amazing photos of dolphins and other ocean wildlife while learning some interesting information and facts about the local wildlife.
There’s no question that Anna Maria Island is one of the best destinations for a fun-filled and exciting family vacation no matter what time of year you choose to visit. Lizzie Lu’s Island Retreat has an amazing selection of Anna Maria Island vacation rentals for your next exciting family adventure. Be sure to give us a call today at (941)-782-8152 for more information on the most affordable and luxurious rentals near all of the best family entertainment and excitement on our beautiful island!
