Gulf Coast - Sarasota Area

Sarasota and her islands, including Longboat Key, Lido Key, Siesta Key, Casey Key, Venice, Manasota Key, Englewood, and North Port

Official Guide to Anna Maria Island

White sand beaches, blue-green waters, lovely sunsets ... these are hallmarks of the beautiful Gulf Coast of Florida where waters are warmer and gentler compared to the Atlantic Coast. Many of the beaches are unspoiled; some of them are big party spots, but the parties usually include parents as well as their kids. Lounge on Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, or just about anywhere and watch the sun slide across the Gulf and disappear into the water.

Trip Report - Anna Maria Island, April 2005

We just got back from an evening of camping in Fort DeSoto Park (whose North Beach was voted best beach in the United States for 2005 by Dr. Beach!) and an evening visit to the delightful Anna Maria Island. Like Seabreeze and other beautiful towns in Florida that aren't totally suburban sprawl nightmares, Anna Maria is an upper class community, but it is beautiful nonetheless. There is no McDonald's there, and the cottages are humble and gorgeous and, despite being expensive, aren't bombastic. There were tons of bicyclists on the island plus a little trolley! Fort DeSoto is also delightful! The beach is beyond gorgeous. I wish I had known that there were so many places in Florida where you could enjoy a good swim without concrete skyscrapers looming in the distance.

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Last Updated: June 2007