Beach cottage in Anna Maria Island

Escape to a breezy, Gulf of Mexico paradise island location where lanky palms sway in the warm sunshine and turquoise ocean sparkles next to immaculate white beach sand. Combine this with a quintessentially charming beach town vibe, sorbet shades of wood build architecture and miles of beach cruiser biking and you have the perfect oceanside oasis to escape to! This sliver of 7 mile long, 8 city block wide, barrier island beach destination is located on Florida’s stunning Gulf Coast within easy driving distance from Tampa. This idyllic, upmarket island destination with miles of soft sand beaches and breathtaking views is a place you will never want to leave!

These immaculate, breezy, fully equipped, comfortable, spacious, beautifully decorated cottages are perfectly situated close to some of the most stunning beaches you will ever see and have everything you need for the perfect paradise island stay. Anna Maria island is an ideal destination for newlyweds! Many of these cottages are perfect for a romantic Gulf of Mexico getaway for two while others have plenty of space for a family of up to 6. Sparkling private pools are available at many of these lovely beach cottages as well as stunning outdoor terraces with ocean views for relaxing with an ice cold beverage or for enjoying a sunset meal.

Travel no further than Florida’s Gulf Coast for an authentic, tropical Eden, island experience. With year round sunshine and 7 miles of breathtaking beaches and wonderful local amenities in an upmarket setting, where there are no chain restaurants or highrises, there are plenty of reasons to put Anna Maria Island on your bucket list of fabulous destinations. Your cottage is just a short hop from a pale sand beach and an endless expanse of aquamarine ocean. The water is warm and inviting for swimming and you can spend languid days here truly unwinding and getting away from it all!

Watersport lovers are in for days of fun with the incredible variety of options for enjoying being in the water. There are several, conveniently situated rental companies on the island that specialize in water sport equipment rentals of all types. Try an hourly jet ski rental for a wild aquatic thrill! There are miles of ocean for parasailing, kayaking, swimming or surfing. Surfers will find the best location for surfing on the island at White Avenue beach access in the town of Anna Maria. Join a local dive charter for a deep sea dive adventure exploring a famous offshore wreck or try snorkeling or spearfishing. Book a charter boat cruise and watch dolphins leap and frolic at sunset!

Anna Maria Island has several high quality bike rental shops dotted around the island where you will find your perfect vacation bike for glorious, leisurely biking. Most of the rentals are located on or near the beachfront for easy access and the island is a haven for cyclists with its impeccable cycling infrastructure. If you decide to stop off for a delectable meal en route you will find convenient, free bike racks all over the place to stow your bike safely. You can ride the entire length of the island via the wide bike paths along the main central avenue, perfect for beach hopping! Cycle to southernmost Coquina Beach to see dolphins playing in the water!

Head 10 miles west across the strait to the mainland via Manatee Avenue the spectacular 600 acre Robinson Preserve is waiting to be discovered. Kayak Rentals are available from nearby Surferbus to make the most of this salt marsh aquatic oasis. There are beautiful, pristine kayak and canoe waterways as well as sublime picnic spots and gorgeous, lush, primal mangrove forests to enjoy with a 53 foot observation tower located in the center of the Preserve for a magnificent panoramic view of the entire Tampa Bay. Pack a picnic and head to this secluded, peaceful waterpark for a day of kayaking to remember!

Head off early from your paradise island and drive to Tampa for the day. This sleek, coastal city situated on the sweeping arc of Tampa Bay with it’s glittering skyscrapers and impressive waterfront is a playground for museums and theme park attractions, shopping, restaurants and nightlife. The Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa Bay History Center and the Glazers Children’s Museum are top rated attractions and world class museum venues that will enthrall the whole family with awe inspiring exhibits. Families will love a trip to Busch Gardens larger than life theme park that features thrilling roller coasters and adventure rides and spectacular ice skating shows. Tampa Zoo is ranked amongst the top 25 zoos in the USA!

Spend a lazy, few hours meandering about on this picturesque, historical street. This is Anna Maria Island’s most iconic destination for shopping, dining and entertainment. Hop on board the free, all day trolley a stone’s throw from your island cottage rental and hop off in this gorgeous part of town. Browse and buy beautifully unique, local, handmade artisan items and explore novelty shops selling high end gifts, art and beachwear. Florida palm trees, sea breeze, sorbet colors and aquamarine ocean combine here for the ultimate island beach vibe. Enjoy fresh oysters, surf and turf, live music and incredible seafood when you start to get hungry!

Make the most of your time in this paradise location and island hop to Longboat Key located South of Anna Maria Island. Head south via Gulf drive over Longboat Pass Bridge. Lido Key is south of Longboat Key via John Ringling Parkway. The beaches on these two barrier islands are stunning and you will never want to leave the shimmering soft sand and warm aqua waters of this Gulf of Mexico coastal resort. The sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico are spectacular from here. North Lido beach is a fantastic location for bird watching due to the numbers of birds that nest here.

Longboat Key golf course has been highly rated and commended over time as one of the finest places to play golf in the USA. This Gulf Coast golfing oasis is the winner of prestigious Golf Digest awards. This beautiful course features an unparalleled view of Sarasota Bay and you could not find a more perfect oceanside setting than this to play your favorite game. There are big greens, verdant natural areas and stunning water features on this magnificent 45 hole, exciting championship golf course.

This idyllic spot located just 2.7 miles to the west in Bradenton is a scenic, serene marshland nature preserve with a selection of trails and plenty of opportunity for birdwatching. The beautiful walking trail loops around ponds and tidal areas where you can view incredible native plants, see fish and get close to a wide range of stunning native birds such as ospreys, herons, ducks, eagles and pelicans. This magnificently transformed 175 acre former farmland has been regenerated and now boasts coastal wetlands and scrub hills that provide vital breeding ground for gorgeous native birds to flourish.