Quick answer: Late fall through spring has milder air and lower monthly rainfall in the nearby NOAA normals. Summer has the warmest Gulf water proxy and the most rain days. Choose the month that fits your heat, water, rain, and storm-season tolerance.
How to read the table: Air temperature and rainfall use NOAA 1991–2020 normals for Sarasota-Bradenton Airport, station USW00012871. Water temperature uses NOAA station 8726384 at Port Manatee as a nearby Gulf proxy. Port Manatee is not an Anna Maria Island beach or surf reading, and daily conditions can differ from monthly means.

Month-by-month weather

Swipe the table to compare rainfall and water columns.

MonthNormal high °FNormal low °FRain inRain days ≥0.01 inWater proxy °F
January72.552.32.798.562.7
February74.954.61.926.865.9
March78.258.12.856.470.9
April82.562.72.465.176.5
May87.568.22.586.082.3
June90.073.67.0512.886.0
July91.175.27.3915.687.9
August91.575.39.1117.587.9
September90.274.16.0013.786.0
October86.368.32.767.080.0
November80.060.11.815.671.8
December75.255.22.337.667.2

These are climate normals, not a forecast. Check a current forecast before travel and again before beach or boating plans.

What changes through the year

December through February

Normal highs range from 72.5°F to 75.2°F. Pack a light layer for mornings and evenings. The Port Manatee water proxy averages 62.7°F to 67.2°F.

March through May

Normal highs rise from 78.2°F in March to 87.5°F in May. Monthly rainfall remains below 3 inches in these station normals, while the water proxy rises from 70.9°F to 82.3°F.

June through September

Normal highs stay near 90°F or above. Rainfall and rain-day counts are highest in this period. Pack light clothing, sun protection, and a plan to leave the beach when thunder develops.

October and November

Normal highs fall from 86.3°F to 80.0°F, and monthly rainfall drops below 3 inches in the station normals. Both months remain within Atlantic hurricane season until November 30.

Hurricane and lightning safety

Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Tropical cyclones can affect the area directly or indirectly. Check the National Hurricane Center and follow local emergency instructions before and during travel.

If you hear thunder or see lightning, leave the beach and go to a hard-topped vehicle or fully enclosed building. An open shelter is not safe lightning protection. See the National Weather Service beach safety guide.

Review Seascape's cancellation guidance, then confirm the property-specific policy on the secure checkout page before payment. Travel-insurance coverage varies by policy, so read the exclusions before purchase.

What to pack

Getting around without a weather promise

Manatee County lists the free Route 5 Anna Maria Island trolley from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily, about every 20 minutes. Check the current county schedule before relying on it.

More trip-planning help