Anna Maria Island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on Florida's Gulf Coast. With seven miles of pristine white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, it's no wonder travelers from around the world flock to this barrier island paradise.

Bean Point Beach: The Hidden Gem

Located at the northernmost tip of Anna Maria Island, Bean Point is consistently rated as one of the best beaches in Florida. What makes it special? The lack of development. There are no high-rises, no beach bars—just pure, unspoiled natural beauty.

Best for: Couples, photographers, sunset watching, shelling

Pro tip: The sandbars at low tide create shallow pools perfect for wading. Check tide charts before you go!

Manatee Beach: The Family Favorite

If you're traveling with kids or want easy access to amenities, Manatee Beach is your best bet. This well-maintained beach offers everything families need for a full day of fun—free parking, restrooms, lifeguards, and Café Beachhouse restaurant on-site.

Coquina Beach: The Local's Choice

Stretching along the southern end of Anna Maria Island, Coquina Beach offers the best of both worlds: natural beauty and convenient facilities. Plenty of free parking, picnic pavilions with grills, and it's less crowded than other beaches.

Beach Safety Tips

The Gulf of Mexico is generally calm and safe for swimming, but keep these tips in mind:

• Always swim near a lifeguard when possible
• Check daily beach flag conditions
• Shuffle your feet to avoid stingrays
• Apply reef-safe sunscreen

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If you've ever booked through Airbnb, VRBO, or Booking.com, you've noticed those service fees at checkout. On a $3,000 week-long rental, these fees can add $300-500 to your total cost. There's a better way.

The Hidden Cost of OTAs

When you book through platforms like Airbnb or VRBO, you're paying:

• Guest service fees: 5-15% of your booking
• Host fees: 3-5% (often passed to you)
• Inflated prices: Hosts raise rates to cover fees

5 Reasons to Book Direct

1. Save 10-20% Instantly

No middleman, no markup. Our direct prices are always the same or lower than OTAs.

2. Better Communication

Direct line to the people who actually manage the property. Get answers in minutes.

3. More Flexibility

Need to change dates or add a night? We can accommodate requests that rigid OTA systems can't.

4. Local Expertise

We live here. Get insider tips on restaurants, beaches, and hidden gems.

5. Build a Relationship

Returning guests get priority booking, special discounts, and first access to new properties.

Ready to Save on Your Next Vacation?

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From fresh Gulf seafood to waterfront dining, here are our top restaurant picks—the places where locals actually eat.

Waterfront Dining

1. The Sandbar Restaurant

Literally on the beach with your toes in the sand. Their grouper sandwich is legendary, and the sunset views are unbeatable.

2. Mar Vista Dockside

A true Old Florida experience in a 1912 building. Arrive by boat or car for fresh seafood on the dock.

3. Dry Dock Waterfront Grill

Upscale-casual with incredible seafood towers and craft cocktails.

Casual Beach Eats

4. Skinny's Place

An island institution since 1989. No-frills burgers that are absolutely legendary.

5. Rod & Reel Pier

Dine at the end of the pier with 360-degree water views. Simple, fresh, iconic.

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Anna Maria Island is one of Florida's best family destinations. Here's everything you need to know for an unforgettable trip with kids.

Best Beaches for Families

Manatee Beach is the top choice—lifeguards, restrooms, playground nearby, and gentle waves perfect for little ones.

Kid-Friendly Activities

• Dolphin watching tours
• Kayaking through mangroves
• Bike rentals on the island
• Fishing from the piers
• Two Scoops ice cream shop

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Peak Season (December - April)

Perfect weather, minimal rain, but higher prices and crowds. Book 3-6 months ahead.

Shoulder Season (May & November)

Our favorite time! Great weather, fewer crowds, better rates. The sweet spot.

Summer (June - August)

Hot and humid with afternoon storms, but lowest prices and uncrowded beaches.

Fall (September - October)

Hurricane season risk but incredible deals. Water is warmest for swimming.

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One of the magical things about staying in our waterfront properties? You can often see dolphins and manatees right from your backyard!

Best Spots for Dolphin Watching

• Anna Maria City Pier - Free viewing, especially at sunrise
• Rod & Reel Pier - Dolphins often feed near fishermen
• Our waterfront rentals - Daily sightings from the dock!

Manatee Season

Winter months (November-March) are best for manatees as they seek warmer waters. The Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach is a guaranteed sighting spot.

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Florida's Gulf Coast is a sheller's paradise. The warm, shallow waters and gentle tides deliver an incredible variety of shells to our beaches. Whether you're a serious collector or just want to find a few treasures to take home, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Best Shelling Beaches Near Anna Maria Island

1. Bean Point Beach (Anna Maria Island)

The undeveloped northern tip of Anna Maria Island is our #1 local pick. Low tide exposes sandbars where shells collect in natural pockets. Look for fighting conchs, whelks, and scallop shells.

Best time: Low tide, early morning before crowds

2. Coquina Beach (Anna Maria Island)

Named after the tiny coquina clams that wash ashore by the thousands. The southern end near Longboat Pass is especially productive after storms.

3. Siesta Key Beach

While famous for its powdery quartz sand, Siesta Key also offers excellent shelling at Point of Rocks—a natural limestone outcropping where shells accumulate.

4. Lido Key Beach

Just south of St. Armands Circle, Lido Key's north end is a hidden gem for olive shells, sand dollars, and the occasional junonia.

Common Shells You'll Find

• Lightning Whelk - Florida's state shell, spirals left (unusual!)
• Fighting Conch - Beautiful oranges and pinks, very common
• Scallop Shells - Colorful fan shapes, perfect for crafts
• Sand Dollars - Find them intact at low tide
• Shark Teeth - Black fossilized teeth, especially at Caspersen Beach
• Junonia - The rare "holy grail" shell—spotted brown pattern

Pro Tips for Successful Shelling

• Check tide charts - Low tide is essential
• Go early - First light means first picks
• After storms - Rough seas churn up treasures
• Bring a mesh bag - Let sand rinse as you collect
• Never take live shells - It's illegal and harmful

Stay Steps from the Best Shelling Beaches

Our beachfront rentals put you first on the sand at sunrise.

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The waters around Anna Maria Island and Sarasota Bay offer some of the best fishing in Florida. From inshore redfish to offshore grouper, there's world-class fishing year-round. Here's everything you need to plan your angling adventure.

Types of Fishing

Inshore/Flats Fishing

Shallow-water fishing in Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay, and grass flats. Target species include:

• Redfish (Red Drum) - Year-round, best fall through spring
• Spotted Seatrout - Excellent eating, abundant in grass flats
• Snook - Prized gamefish, catch-and-release in summer
• Tarpon - The "Silver King" runs May through July

Offshore/Deep Sea Fishing

Head into the Gulf of Mexico for bigger game:

• Grouper - Delicious white meat, abundant May-December
• Red Snapper - Limited season but incredible eating
• Kingfish (King Mackerel) - Fast action, great for beginners
• Mahi-Mahi - Summer months further offshore
• Amberjack - Strong fighters, year-round

Pier & Bridge Fishing

No boat? No problem. Fish from these public spots:

• Anna Maria City Pier - Free fishing, bait shop on-site
• Rod & Reel Pier - Historic pier with restaurant
• Skyway Fishing Pier - Old Sunshine Skyway Bridge, world-class

Best Fishing Charters & Guides

Hiring a local captain dramatically increases your success. They know the waters, provide equipment, and clean your catch. Half-day trips start around $400-500, full days $600-800 for up to 4 people.

Fishing License Requirements

Florida requires a saltwater fishing license. However, charter boats include the license, and you don't need one when fishing from a licensed pier. Otherwise, get a license online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com—about $17 for a 3-day non-resident license.

Best Fishing by Season

• Spring (Mar-May): Tarpon start arriving, snook are active, grouper opens
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Peak tarpon, offshore action heats up
• Fall (Sep-Nov): Best all-around—redfish, trout, kingfish runs
• Winter (Dec-Feb): Sheepshead, pompano, spotted seatrout

Book a Waterfront Property with Dock Access

Fish from your backyard or launch your kayak right from the dock.

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Siesta Key Beach has been ranked the #1 beach in America by TripAdvisor, Dr. Beach, and countless travel publications. The secret? Its sand is 99% pure quartz crystal—it stays cool even on the hottest days and squeaks when you walk on it.

What Makes Siesta Key Special

• Cool sand - Walk barefoot at noon, no burning
• Crystal-clear water - Visibility often 15+ feet
• Gentle waves - Protected barrier island, kid-friendly
• Free parking - Unlike many Florida beaches
• Full amenities - Restrooms, showers, concessions, volleyball

Best Spots on Siesta Key Beach

Main Public Beach

The famous stretch with lifeguards, concessions, and the iconic Siesta Key drum circle every Sunday at sunset. Arrive before 10am on weekends to get parking.

Point of Rocks

South of the main beach, this limestone outcropping is the best snorkeling spot in Sarasota County. Bring your mask and find tropical fish, sea stars, and shells.

Crescent Beach

The quieter southern section, perfect for long walks. Street parking along Midnight Pass Road.

Turtle Beach

At the far south end, smaller crowds, free parking, and a boat ramp. Great for kayaking to the nearby islands.

Siesta Key Village

The walkable village just off the beach offers dozens of restaurants, bars, and shops. Highlights include:

• The Cottage - Brunch-famous, long lines but worth it
• Sun Garden Cafe - Healthy options, great smoothies
• The Hub Baja Grill - Fish tacos and margaritas
• Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB) - Legendary dive bar, live music

Getting There from Anna Maria Island

Siesta Key is about 45 minutes south of Anna Maria Island. Take US-41 south through Sarasota, then head west on Siesta Drive. It's an easy day trip, or you can split your vacation between both islands!

Best Time to Visit

Weekdays are dramatically less crowded than weekends. Mornings are best for parking and swimming. The famous drum circle happens every Sunday starting around 6pm—arrive early with chairs and snacks.

Explore the Entire Gulf Coast

Stay with us and enjoy easy access to Anna Maria, Siesta Key, and Sarasota beaches.

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If you own property in the Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, or Sarasota area, you're sitting on a potential gold mine. The Gulf Coast vacation rental market has exploded in recent years, and properties in our area consistently outperform national averages. But how much can you actually expect to earn?

In this guide, we'll break down realistic revenue expectations based on property type, location, and amenities—using real market data from 2025.

Average Revenue by Property Type

Based on data from AirDNA and PriceLabs for Manatee and Sarasota counties:

*Revenue ranges based on 2025 market data. Actual results depend on property condition, amenities, pricing strategy, and management quality.

What Drives Higher Revenue?

The difference between a $70K/year property and a $150K/year property often comes down to a few key factors:

1. Location Premium

• Anna Maria Island: Highest rates in the area, especially Holmes Beach and Anna Maria city
• Waterfront/Canal: 25-40% premium over inland properties
• Walking distance to beach: Commands 15-25% higher rates

2. Must-Have Amenities

• Private pool: #1 searched amenity, adds 20-30% to revenue
• Hot tub: Increases winter bookings significantly
• Boat dock: Attracts fishing/boating guests who book longer stays
• Pet-friendly: Opens up 30%+ of the market that needs pet accommodation

3. Professional Photography & Listing Optimization

Properties with professional photos get 40% more bookings. Your listing title, description, and first 5 photos determine 90% of booking decisions.

4. Dynamic Pricing Strategy

Static pricing leaves money on the table. Peak season (January-April) rates should be 50-100% higher than shoulder season. Tools like PriceLabs can increase revenue by 10-20% through smart pricing.

The Occupancy Question

Revenue isn't just about nightly rates—it's about occupancy. Here's what realistic occupancy looks like:

• Average market occupancy: 65-70%
• Top-performing properties: 80-90%
• Peak season (Dec-April): 90%+ is typical
• Summer shoulder: 60-75% depending on amenities

What separates 65% from 85% occupancy? It's usually a combination of pricing strategy, listing quality, guest reviews, and response time. These are all areas where professional management makes a measurable difference.

Self-Manage vs. Hire a Property Manager?

This is the big question every owner faces. Here's the honest breakdown:

Self-Management Makes Sense If:

• You live locally and can respond to issues within an hour
• You enjoy guest communication and hospitality
• You have reliable cleaning and maintenance contacts
• You're comfortable with pricing strategy and listing optimization

Professional Management Makes Sense If:

• You live out of the area or have a demanding schedule
• You want truly passive income
• You'd rather pay for expertise than learn it yourself
• You want maximum revenue without the operational headaches

The math: A good property manager typically charges 15-20% of revenue, but the best ones actually increase your net income through higher occupancy and rates. We've seen properties increase gross revenue by 30%+ after switching to professional management—more than covering the management fee.

What About Expenses?

To calculate your actual profit, you'll need to account for:

• Cleaning (turnover costs): $150-$350 per turnover depending on size
• Supplies & consumables: $50-$100/month
• Maintenance reserve: Budget 5-10% of revenue
• Utilities: $200-$500/month (mostly passed to guests in some setups)
• Insurance: Short-term rental coverage is ~30% more than standard homeowners
• Property taxes: Varies, but factor ~1.5% of property value annually

Rule of thumb: Expect net profit margins of 50-65% of gross rental revenue after all expenses (excluding mortgage/debt service).

Is Now a Good Time to Start?

The Anna Maria Island and Sarasota vacation rental market remains strong heading into 2026. A few trends to watch:

• Demand: Leisure travel spending continues to grow, especially for coastal destinations
• Supply: More properties are entering the market, making differentiation important
• Regulations: Some Florida communities are tightening short-term rental rules—AMI remains friendly

Properties that stand out with great amenities, professional photos, and excellent guest experiences will continue to thrive. Generic listings will struggle.

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Wondering what your specific property could earn? We'll run the numbers based on comparable properties in your area—no obligation, just honest data.

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