It’s no secret that Anna Maria Island is a patch of heaven on earth. A seven-mile strip of beautiful white sand beaches lines the barrier island of Anna Maria Island between the turquoise Gulf of Mexico water and peninsular Florida. It doesn’t matter what you are in the mood for when staying in one of our Anna Maria Island rentals. Here you will find the adventure and things to do near Anna Maria Island you are looking for.
From waking up in the mornings and taking a stroll along the beach with your loved ones to enjoying the breathtaking views from your window, if you can’t get enough of AMI’s natural beauty, consider taking a sunset cruise!
When Does The Sun Set On AMI?
Taking a sunset cruise is a great way to admire the beautiful waters of the Gulf while enjoying a breathtaking sunset. It is a fun, family-oriented activity that will add an unforgettable moment to your vacation.
Keep in mind that sunset timing depends on the time of the year you travel. If you go during winter, the sun sets around six p.m. In this season, you will enjoy a nice cool breeze on the beach, so you might want to pack some layers. When spring comes, you will be looking at a 7:30 p.m. sunset for most days with beautiful colors and warmer waters, making this the perfect season to go. Anna Maria Island sunsets during the summertime will come at 8:30 p.m. on average, giving you extra daytime to enjoy the beach before jumping on your sunset cruise and ending your day on a high note.
Even though you won’t see changing leaves as much, fall makes a beautiful time to come and take a sunset cruise on Anna Maria Island. Since winter is getting closer, the sun starts to go to rest a little earlier as December approaches. On average, 7 p.m. will be the sunset time during this magical season.
The Salty Dolphin
The Salty Dolphin’s owner and captain, Ben Webb, has over 45 years of experience cruising on Anna Maria Island waters. The Salty Dolphin 2 will take you on a sunset cruise of a lifetime. This is a wonderful way to experience stunning views and wildlife like dolphins playing on the water.
Your journey will last one and a half hours, beginning with exploring the Gulf of Mexico and the back bay. Travel along the seven-mile strip of its pristine beaches and timeless charm. End your evening with the spectacular sunset, admiring the sun reflecting on the water while sinking below the horizon.
If you want to have a more private family experience, they also offer private tours so you and your family or group can enjoy this cruise more quietly. Reach them by telephone or online, or head into their office, which is open through regular business hours most of the week. They are located at 5325 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217.
Marina Jack
Ride aboard the Marina Jack II for a relaxing, narrated sightseeing lunch tour or sunset dinner cruise through the inter-coastal waters. There’s nothing like glimpsing the Gulf of Mexico while enjoying a delicious dining experience.
Incredible views and wonderful service are a guarantee aboard this vessel. Docked behind the Marina Jack restaurant, which is located on the Downtown Sarasota Bay front, air-conditioned salons and an open-air outside deck will provide you with the best way to enjoy the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. While aboard, every seat has a water view, so you will always enjoy sightseeing.
The sunset cruise offers a premium dinner buffet of prime rib and grilled salmon with saffron cream sauce, along with fresh seasonal vegetables and a chef’s choice of rice or potato. For dessert, double-layered chocolate cake, pina colada cake, and key lime pie are all tasty options.
A truly memorable way to enjoy cruising the Gulf while enjoying the breathtaking sunset, they also offer lunch cruises, private events like weddings, live music, and so much more! For cruising information, give them a call or head online. Open all week long, they are located at 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL, 34236.
Plan Your Visit
Contact the team at Lizzie Lu’s Island Retreat to start planning your dream beach getaway! Book your Anna Maria Island rental, and then make your reservation for a sunset cruise.
Island Pearl Excursions
Cruise aboard the Island Pearl. She was built in 1991 for the carrier USS ESSEX, where she was assigned as a ship’s liberty and multipurpose utility boat. The Island Pearl has been inspected, certified, and licensed by the United States Coast Guard. She carries state-of-the-art electronics and all of the required safety equipment.
The Sandbar-Dolphin-Sunset is the grand slam tour where you do it all. It takes about three hours and starts with looking for dolphins. A family fun way to start your sunset cruise on Anna Maria Island, be sure to bring your camera and binoculars!
After that, you will stop at a couple of sandbars, where you can get out of the boat and swim, snorkel, and do some shelling. Some equipment is provided, but it is recommended that you bring your own. Keep in mind that this is a physical activity that includes climbing in and out of the boat on a step ladder.
Lastly, the trip ends in the Gulf at Longboat Pass, cruising along the sunset with unforgettable views. Be sure to pack what you want to eat or drink during the trip. They also offer the option for a private rental of the cruise for your family or friends! For reservations and inquiries, you can give them a call, head online, or send them an email.
Where to stay
What do you picture when you think of the perfect beach getaway? Sandcastle competitions? A fishing pier towering over deep blue waves? White sand dotted with seashells and dolphins silhouetted by the setting sun? Great seafood restaurants with character and outstanding menus? What about beachfront rentals, pet-friendly vacation rentals sheltered by lush gardens, or vacation rentals located close to shopping?
Throw in a free trolley line, and you have Anna Maria Island located on the gulf coast of “Old Florida.” The seven-mile island is packed with activities, but not packed with people. Sail, fish, swim, bike, kayak, shop, explore by day, and relax at night in one of our bright and colorful Anna Maria Island vacation rentals!
Many of our properties have been recently renovated and have luxury amenities like heated pools, king-sized beds, Wi-Fi, and fully equipped kitchens. Gather for grilling parties with your whole family or group rentals with one to five plus bedroom accommodations, and plan on bringing four-legged friends because we offer many Anna Maria Island pet-friendly vacation rentals as well.
We want to help make your vacation unforgettable, so we go the extra mile for customer service and offer each guest concierge services like rental cleaning, baby rental items for the beach, realty services, GEM car rentals, bike rentals, and grocery delivery.
Want more information about Anna Maria Island events or news? Check out our island guides and event calendar that keep you updated on all the fun things to do. Start planning your next vacation trip to one of the best islands in the U.S. We will see you soon!
