Anna Maria Island offers pristine beaches, stunning sunsets and plenty of outdoor activities. Among those, kayaking stands out as a favorite activity and an immersive way to explore the island’s surrounding waters. There are several great places to kayak (and paddleboard) off Anna Maria Island, and it’s a great way to see a different perspective of the island’s natural beauty! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced paddler, we’ve compiled some of the best places to kayak on Anna Maria Island, as well as where to rent gear or book a tour from.

Leffis Key Preserve and Sarasota Bay

Escape the crowds and head to the quiet southern end of Anna Maria Island to experience the tranquil waters of Sarasota Bay. Kayaks can launch from the Coquina Beach South Boat Ramp located across the road from Coquina Beach, where ample parking is available. From here, you can paddle along the edges of Leffis Key Preserve to the north, where you are likely to spot crabs, fish and starfish in the shallow waters among the mangroves. Sarasota Bay opens up to the southeast with several smaller islands to explore, while cruising under the Longboat Pass Bridge gives you a great view of the sunset over the ocean at the edge of Coquina Beach.

Neal Preserve

Situated along Manatee Avenue just outside of Anna Maria Island, Neal Preserve is made up of 120 acres of pristine mangrove forests and tidal marshes. This area is known for great bird watching and dolphin sightings. There is also a short trail with educational signage and an observation tower in the preserve if you want to take a break from paddling to learn about the wetland habitat and the indigenous peoples who originally inhabited it. AMI Paddleboard offers kayak rentals and guided tours here, with a convenient location just on the other side of Manatee Avenue.

Robinson Preserve

Just a short drive from Anna Maria Island, Robinson Preserve is a kayaker’s paradise. This 600+ acre coastal preserve features mangrove tunnels, salt marshes, and tidal ponds, providing an ideal environment for exploration. Paddle along serene waterways, keeping an eye out for native wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, and various bird species including herons and ospreys. The winding waterways of this nature preserve are a great way to experience the coastal environment of Florida as it looked pre-development. Check out Kayak Jack’s for guided and self-guided tours of Robinson Preserve, where tour guides will provide equipment and useful knowledge about wildlife and paddling in tidal areas.

Perico Preserve

Located just off the Palma Sola Causeway on Perico Island, this nature preserve is a hidden gem. After this area was acquired as farmland, there was a conscious effort to restore it to the natural mix of habitats originally found here, from coastal wetlands to scrub hills. Perico Preserve has been designated as a bird sanctuary, so you are likely to spot a number of species, from herons and egrets wading by the shore to eagles soaring overhead. The kayak launch has a small parking lot and is found off Manatee Avenue opposite 107th Ct. NW. From there, head north under the bridge to reach the preserve. Overall, this is one of the most peaceful preserves in the area, with easy access to the larger Robinson Preserve if you want a longer paddling journey. 

Palma Sola Bay

Palma Sola Causeway Park is a great place to launch kayaks to explore Palma Sola Bay. Along Manatee Avenue between Bradenton and Anna Maria Island, there are numerous places to park right off the road, making this an easy stop on your way to or from the island. After launching at the park, it’s a short paddle northwest of the fishing pier to find the kayak path that will take you deep into Robinson Preserve. Or you can head out to explore Palma Sola Bay, where neighborhoods and mangroves cluster around the edges, and dolphins like to play. Kayak rentals can be booked ahead of time and picked up directly at the park from Surferbus.

Kayak Rentals and Tours

• Beach Bums AMI offers a variety of kayak rentals which can be delivered to your vacation rental or launched directly from Bayfront Park in Anna Maria. They also lead a guided kayak tour exploring the waters around Anna Maria Island and out into Tampa Bay, with a stop for swimming at a sandbar where you are likely to spot manatees and dolphins.
• AMI Paddleboard rents out kayaks and paddleboards for 1 to 7 days at a time and will deliver to a spot of your choosing on Anna Maria Island. This company also offers a popular daily eco-tour of Neal Preserve, where your guide will take you through mangrove tunnels and point out local wildlife like dolphins, crabs and seabirds.
  
• AMI Clear Kayak Tours provides a unique experience open to all skill levels. Paddlers will launch clear tandem kayaks from Holmes Beach and explore the seagrass beds and mangrove habitats around Anna Maria Island. The clear kayaks provide a window into the underwater world, with the chance to spot marine animals, fish and crustaceans. Tours run in the afternoon, at sunset, and after dark, where kayaks are lit from below!

Ready to embark on your kayaking adventure? Book your vacation rental on Anna Maria Island and experience the beauty of Florida’s Gulf Coast firsthand. Start planning your paddling getaway to explore this amazing island!

When you’re on vacation, it can be disappointing to wake up to raindrops on your window. But don’t worry – Anna Maria Island and Bradenton offer plenty of activities to make the most of a rainy day. Plus, staying in a vacation rental instead of a hotel offers advantages on the occasional rainy day, giving you the space to spread out, cook your own meals, and relax with your loved ones. Here are some of the top activities if you happen to get a rainy day while visiting Anna Maria Island or Bradenton.

Outdoor Activities

If it’s a light rain, don’t let that stop your fun! Grab your rain coat and an umbrella and check out these outdoor activities that have something for everyone.

Manatee Village Historical Park is an outdoor collection of historical buildings hosting exhibits about early Florida pioneer life. There are seven buildings to explore and it’s a short walk between them. Admission is free and donations are welcome.

Visit the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum for a glimpse into the history of the island and the first settlers. This free museum offers three historical buildings to explore, with scavenger hunts and docent-led tours available.

Fishing charters and boat tours will still be available on rainy days, and with most people staying inside, you might have them to yourself! Get up close with bottlenose dolphins with a dolphin watching tour from the expert guides at AMI Dolphin Tours, or book a fishing charter for in-shore and deep sea fishing.

Indoor Activities

Rainy days are the best time to plan some indoor fun in Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. Whether you are cozying up with board games or a movie in your vacation rental or heading out for a cultural experience, there are plenty of options for the whole family. 

Located a half hour drive from Anna Maria Island, the Ringling Museum includes an impressive collection of art, as well as a circus museum and the historic 1920s mansion owned by the Ringling family. This museum is an excellent place to spend a rainy afternoon exploring the variety of exhibits. Admission starts at $25 for adults and kids under 6 are free.

In Bradenton, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is another indoor gem. This museum features captivating exhibits on paleontology, Native American history, and the natural history of Florida. It also houses a planetarium with regular shows, and a manatee rehabilitation habitat, where visitors can see manatees up close and learn more about these iconic Florida animals.

Travel down Anna Maria Island to Longboat Key, where you will find the Mote Aquarium at the south end of the island. This aquarium and marine rehabilitation center offers the chance to see aquatic Florida animals from sea turtles to sharks, all within a facility protected from the elements. Admission is $26 for those 13 years or older, with discounts for younger children, and tickets should be purchased online in advance to ensure availability.

The Florida Maritime Museum is located between Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. This free museum offers artifacts and exhibits about local maritime history, as well as hands-on activities for kids. This small museum is worth a stop if you are traveling into Bradenton on a rainy day.

For shopping fans, a rainy day is the time to explore local shopping options. On Anna Maria Island, the Bridge Street Bazaar in Bradenton Beach and Pine Avenue on the north end of the island both offer unique souvenir shops and local artisan crafts. For those looking for a wide variety of stores and some great bargains, Ellenton Premium Outlets north of Bradenton has something for all tastes.

And of course, spending a rainy day relaxing at your vacation rental is always a great option. The flexibility, space, privacy and homey comfort of a vacation rental provides a distinct advantage over a hotel room on days when the weather is not cooperative. Rainy days are the perfect opportunity to prepare a home-cooked meal in your own kitchen and spread out for a cozy game or movie night with your loved ones. The freedom and comfort of an Anna Maria Island vacation rental truly make it feel like a home away from home.

Anna Maria Island and Bradenton provide an array of fun-filled activities for visitors to enjoy on rainy days. Whether you are looking for outdoor adventure or indoor entertainment, your vacation is sure to be memorable, rain or shine!