Here is what to know before you buy or sell.
- JurisdictionCities of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach, Manatee County
- Population4,886 across the three cities (2020 census)
- BridgesManatee Avenue (SR 64) and Cortez Road (SR 684)
- Home typesBeach cottages, elevated single-family homes, duplexes and condominiums
Overview: Anna Maria Island at a Glance
Anna Maria Island is where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf, and it has kept a small-town, low-rise feel that is rare on this coast. The barrier island sits at the western edge of Manatee County, west of Bradenton and north of Longboat Key. It is divided into three cities: Anna Maria in the north, Holmes Beach in the middle and Bradenton Beach in the south. Gulf Drive, the only road that runs the full length of the island, ties them together.
Former Tampa mayor Madison Post named the island for his wife, Maria, and his sister-in-law, Anna. Year-round population is small and has fallen. In the 2020 census, Anna Maria had 968 residents, Holmes Beach 3,010 and Bradenton Beach 908, all lower than in 2010. Many homes are second homes or vacation rentals. In Holmes Beach, for example, 61.1% of the 4,196 housing units were vacant on census day, which includes seasonal and rental homes.
The Three Island Cities
Each city has its own government, codes and rental rules, so the city matters as much as the street.
Anna Maria
The City of Anna Maria, incorporated in 1923, covers the island’s northern tip. In 1893, George Emerson Bean built a home near today’s Rod & Reel Pier, and in 1895 he filed a 160-acre homestead claim on the north end. The Anna Maria City Pier was built in 1911 for steamships carrying residents and visitors. Pine Avenue runs from the pier into a small district of shops and restaurants.
Holmes Beach
Holmes Beach, the island’s largest city, was incorporated in 1950 and named for developer John E. Holmes Sr., who built it into a planned community after World War II. It includes Key Royale, a bayside island joined by a bridge in 1960. Manatee Avenue arrives here from the mainland.
Bradenton Beach
Bradenton Beach, on the south end, was settled in 1893 and was once called Cortez Beach. Its Historic Old Town centers on Bridge Street, where the first Cortez Bridge, a swing bridge built in 1921, came ashore. Part of that old bridge survives as the Bridge Street Pier, and the street is lined with shops and restaurants.
Beaches, Bean Point and the Piers
Bean Point
Bean Point is the island’s northern tip, where Passage Key Inlet connects Tampa Bay to the Gulf. It is quiet and residential, with no public facilities. The water near the inlet can have strong currents, so swim with care.
Manatee Public Beach and Coquina Beach
Manatee County runs two large public beaches. Manatee Public Beach, at 4000 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach where Manatee Avenue meets the Gulf, has lifeguards, free parking, restrooms, showers, a playground and a concession, according to the county. Coquina Beach, at 2650 Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach, has lifeguards, picnic areas, pavilions and a walking trail. Both reopened in stages in November 2024 after the hurricanes.
Anna Maria City Pier
The Anna Maria City Pier has been rebuilt more than once. Hurricane Irma damaged it in 2017; it was demolished, rebuilt and reopened in April 2020. Hurricanes Helene and Milton destroyed the walkway in 2024. According to the city’s updates in local news, the walkway was rebuilt in 2026, work on the T-end buildings is under way, and officials aim to reopen before the end of 2026.
The free trolley
Manatee County Area Transit runs the free Route 5 Anna Maria Island Trolley along Gulf Drive between the Anna Maria City Pier and Coquina Beach. The county lists service from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every day of the year, about every 20 minutes during the day. Donations are accepted. For many residents and guests, it means less time hunting for beach parking.
Anna Maria Island is where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf, and it has kept a small-town, low-rise feel that is rare on this coast.
Bridges and Getting Around
Two bridges link the island to the mainland, and both are drawbridges for now. The Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue, a double-leaf bascule bridge, opened in 1957 with the Palma Sola Causeway and reaches Holmes Beach. The Cortez Bridge on Cortez Road, also a bascule, reaches Bradenton Beach. The Florida Department of Transportation began a $123 million project in November 2026 to replace the Cortez Bridge with a fixed bridge 65 feet above the water. Work is expected to run through late 2029, so plan for construction traffic. From the south end, Gulf Drive crosses Longboat Pass to Longboat Key. See our Longboat Key guide.
| From Manatee Avenue at Gulf Drive (Holmes Beach) to | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Maria City Pier | About 3.2 miles | About 10 minutes |
| Coquina Beach | About 3.8 miles | About 10 minutes |
| Longboat Pass | About 4.5 miles | About 11 minutes |
| Downtown Bradenton | About 9 miles | About 18 minutes |
| Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) | About 15.7 miles | About 32 minutes |
| Downtown Sarasota (Five Points) | About 19.5 miles | About 37 minutes |
| Lakewood Ranch Main Street | About 24 miles | About 41 minutes |
| Downtown St. Petersburg | About 34 miles | About 52 minutes |
| Tampa International Airport (TPA) | About 53 miles | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
Estimates from OpenStreetMap routing on November 3, 2026, not counting traffic or bridge openings. Island traffic can be slow in season and on weekends.
Vacation Rental Rules by City
Vacation rentals are a big part of island life, and each city sets its own rules within limits set by Florida law. Under section 509.032, cities generally cannot ban vacation rentals or limit how long or how often they are rented, unless the rule was adopted on or before June 1, 2011. They can require registration and set safety, parking and occupancy standards. All whole-home short-term rentals also need a state license.
- Anna Maria requires a city vacation rental license for each rental. Under the city’s ordinance, maximum occupancy is the lesser of two people per bedroom plus two, or eight people, with limits on lots that have more than one dwelling. See the city’s vacation rentals page.
- Holmes Beach requires a vacation rental certificate, valid for two years. Minimum stays are 30 days in the R-1 and R-1AA zoning districts and 7 days in R-2, R-3 and R-4. Overnight occupancy may not exceed six people or two per bedroom, whichever is greater. See the city’s vacation rental certificate page.
- Bradenton Beach requires a state transient lodging license, a city business tax receipt and a city Transient Public Lodging Establishment license. The city commission has been reviewing amendments to these rules in 2026.
Rules change, and condo associations often add their own rental limits. Before you buy a rental, check the zoning district, the current city code and any association documents.
Hurricanes, Flood Zones and the 50% Rule
The 2024 season hit the island hard. Hurricane Helene passed far offshore in late September but still brought strong winds and storm surge that flooded much of the island; Bradenton Beach was among the hardest hit. Officials evacuated the island before Hurricane Milton made landfall two weeks later. Many homes, businesses and the City Pier were damaged, and recovery and rebuilding continue.
The FEMA 50% rule
All three cities enforce floodplain rules based on FEMA’s substantial damage and substantial improvement standard. In Holmes Beach, for example, a building in a special flood hazard area is substantially damaged when restoring it would cost 50% or more of its market value, and work that reaches that threshold must meet new-construction flood standards, including elevation. The city counts improvements over a one-year period. See Holmes Beach’s flood and hurricane information, and ask the right city about any damage determination before you buy.
Flood due diligence
- Check the flood zone on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center and request an elevation certificate.
- Ask what flooded in 2024, what was repaired and permitted, and whether the city issued a substantial damage determination.
- Read the seller’s flood disclosure. Since October 1, 2025, Florida law has required residential sellers to disclose known flood damage, flood insurance claims and any federal assistance they received for flood damage.
Condo Law and Insurance
Many island condos are older, low-rise buildings near the water. Florida’s condo safety laws require milestone structural inspections for buildings three or more stories tall under section 553.899, and structural integrity reserve studies for many associations. A 2025 law, HB 913, adjusted some deadlines and reserve rules. Before you buy a condo, ask for the latest milestone inspection, reserve study, budget, any special assessments and the association’s rental rules.
Get wind and flood quotes during your inspection period. If a home may be insured through Citizens Property Insurance, note that Citizens requires most personal residential policies with wind coverage to also carry flood insurance on new and renewal policies effective on or after January 1, 2027.
Schools Serving Anna Maria Island
The island is in the School District of Manatee County. Anna Maria Elementary in Holmes Beach, for kindergarten through grade 5, is the island’s only public school and earned an A in the Florida Department of Education’s 2025-26 school grades. Island students generally continue to Martha B. King Middle School (B) and Manatee High School (C), both in Bradenton. Zones can change, so confirm any address with the School District of Manatee County.
Anna Maria Island Real Estate Market Snapshot
- City and zoning drive value, especially for rentals, because minimum stays and occupancy limits differ.
- Elevation and storm history matter a great deal after 2024 because of the 50% rule.
- Condo finances, including reserves, inspections and assessments, can change the true cost of ownership.
Thinking about selling in Anna Maria Island?
Value depends on city and zoning, rental history, elevation, storm repairs and updates.
Anna Maria Island FAQ
What cities are on Anna Maria Island?
Three: Anna Maria in the north, Holmes Beach in the middle and Bradenton Beach in the south. All are in Manatee County. Their combined 2020 census population was 4,886.
How do you get to Anna Maria Island?
Two bridges cross from the mainland. Manatee Avenue (State Road 64) reaches Holmes Beach over the Anna Maria Island Bridge, and Cortez Road (State Road 684) reaches Bradenton Beach over the Cortez Bridge. From the south, Gulf Drive connects to Longboat Key across Longboat Pass.
Is the Anna Maria Island trolley free?
Yes. Manatee County Area Transit runs the free Route 5 trolley along Gulf Drive between the Anna Maria City Pier and Coquina Beach. The county lists service from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every day of the year, about every 20 minutes. Donations are accepted.
Can I rent out a home on Anna Maria Island?
Rules differ by city. Anna Maria requires a city vacation rental license and caps occupancy. Holmes Beach requires a vacation rental certificate and sets 30-day or 7-day minimum stays depending on zoning. Bradenton Beach requires a city transient public lodging license, a business tax receipt and a state license. Check the current city code before you buy.
Is the Anna Maria City Pier open?
Not fully, as of early November 2026. Hurricanes Helene and Milton destroyed its walkway in 2024. The walkway was rebuilt in 2026, and city officials have said they aim to reopen the pier and its T-end buildings before the end of the year.
What schools serve Anna Maria Island?
Anna Maria Elementary in Holmes Beach is the island’s only public school and earned an A in Florida’s 2025-26 school grades. Island students generally continue to King Middle School and Manatee High School in Bradenton. Confirm any address with the School District of Manatee County.
How did Hurricanes Helene and Milton affect the island?
Helene’s storm surge in September 2024 flooded much of the island, and Bradenton Beach was among the hardest hit. Officials evacuated the island before Milton made landfall two weeks later. Both storms damaged homes, businesses and the Anna Maria City Pier.
What is the FEMA 50% rule on Anna Maria Island?
Each city enforces floodplain rules under which a building in a flood zone that is substantially damaged or improved, at 50% or more of its market value, must be brought up to current flood standards, usually by elevating it. Ask the city about any damage determination before you buy an older or ground-level home.
Ready to Make Your Anna Maria Island Move?
Clear, local, no-pressure advice for buyers.
- John Brink, “Broker Brink”
- The SRQ Premier Team | Bright Realty
- Phone: (941) 928-5555
- Email: info@brokerbrink.com
- www.brokerbrink.com
Information in this guide is believed accurate as of November 2026 and is provided for general information only. It is not legal, insurance or financial advice. School zones, flood maps, floodplain rules, rental rules, association and club rules and fees, laws, and park and attraction hours change. Verify all details independently before you buy or sell. Distances and drive times are approximate. Park, transit, pier, rental and community details are as reported by the cited cities, county and organizations. Listing information is provided through the MLS and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.