Anna Maria Island Best Beaches In Florida

If you are searching for the perfect beach vacation, Anna Maria Island Florida might be the place for you. The island is located on the Gulf of Mexico just south of Tampa Bay. While other Florida destinations have advertised enough to bring their names to the forefront of travel discussions, those who have explored the state thoroughly consistently contend that Anna Maria Island has the best beaches in Florida, if not the world.




Here are seven reasons you'll agree that Anna Maria Island Beaches are the best in Florida:

1. Sand: Over the course of hundreds of thousands of years, quartz rock eroded from the Appalachian Mountains and washed down to the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf carried the sediment towards the Pacific Ocean with bits gathering on barrier islands such as Anna Maria Island. The result is fine white sand that is softer and more heat resistant than almost any sand in the world.

2. Water: The Gulf of Mexico's water levels rise and fall in a predictable fashion, and the shoreline waves break very low. Barring storms or other weather alterations, the water surrounding AMI tends to stay tranquil and inviting for swimmers. An ideal watery playground.

3. Beach Parks: Parks such as Coquina Beach Park, Manatee County Public Beach and Anna Maria City Park have bathrooms, grills, picnic tables and playgrounds for families and friends to enjoy the beach experience together.

4. Views: Seven and a half miles of Gulf beaches on AMI fill the eye with constantly fluctuating shades of turquoise. But the island's proximity to Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay also offer spectacular views to the west. To the north and west is the nearly 500 feet tall Sunshine Skyway Bridge (Travel Channel's #3 in "The Top 10 Bridges in the World"). To the south west is the downtown Sarasota skyline.

5. Population: The greatest beaches are the ones you don't have to share, which is one reason Anna Maria Island is so mind-boggling and spectacular to its visitors. Because there are no large resorts on the island, the beaches are never over crowded, and often times you can expect to relax on the sand without another soul within a hundred yards in any direction.

6. Wildlife: Many of natures most beautiful creatures spend their days on Anna Maria Island beaches. Cranes, heron, seagulls and pelicans are sure to fly by as you relax in the sand. In the waters surrounding the island you may spot dolphins, eagle rays, sea turtles and even manatee. But keep your distance and please don't feed any wild animals.

7. Sunsets: Anna Maria Island sunsets are famous the world over. Each evening people gather on the beaches to pay tribute to the end of the day as the sun paints an original portrait of reds and blues and oranges across the big canvass sky.