Anna Maria Island Real Estate
Located about 25 miles south of Tampa, Anna Maria Island is an island about 12 miles long in the Gulf of Mexico. The three-part island of Anna Maria Island is easily accessible via two bridges. Bradenton Beach, is a classic beach community that's successfully striving to preserve its history and character. Holmes Beach is younger, with new residential areas, small hotels and restaurants right on the beach. The historic Anna Maria holds on to its hidden flair, visible in old beach huts and rustic fish restaurants in an original village center.
There is a calm, relaxed atmosphere here. The island is particularly characterized by its long white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. With the sugar-white sandy beaches and the pastel-colored houses, the island exudes tropical flair and inspires every holidaymaker. With the Manatee Trolley, travelers can easily get around the island at any time, free of charge. The Longboat Pass Bridge connects Anna Maria Island to Longboat Key. The area impresses with its Caribbean flair, the Key West style of the houses and apartments and the beach bars located directly on the sea. A wide variety of properties blend harmoniously into the beautiful island landscape and many of the lavishly restored houses are located in the immediate vicinity of the beach.
The Manatee River divides the green landscape into two riparian regions - to the south is the city of Bradenton, to the north are the two cities of Palmetto and Ellenton.
You can let yourself be pampered in apartment hotels close to the beach, cozy motels, holiday homes and private estates. You will look in vain for well-known restaurant chains on Anna Maria Island. Instead, vacationers are offered a large selection of individual restaurants with good cuisine: from the grill restaurant on the beach to gourmet restaurants.
Anna Maria Island was named the “U. S. Hot Spot” — and rightly so. Other dream beaches in the Bradenton Area are Anna Maria Beach, Bayfront Beach, Beer Can Island, Coquina Beach, Holmes Beach, Manatee County Public Beach, North Longboat Key Beach and Palma Sola Causeway.
Every year at the beginning of summer, the turtle mothers begin to bury their eggs on the beach at Anna Maria Island. The organization Anna Maria Turtle Watch ensures that they remain undisturbed. Every year, animal watchers hope to be there when the baby turtles hatch and make their way from the beach into the water.
The inland waters are also home to the sea cow (manatee), which gave its name to the local river. Get up close and personal with all your favorite sea creatures at the South Florida Museum Parker Manatee Aquarium. Numerous native birds can be admired in the various lagoons. The Great Florida Birding Trail takes in the best spots in the area.
History of Anna Maria Island The region was first settled by the Timucan Indians, who gave their name to the Manatee River, inspired by the manatees that thrive there. Spanish conquerors tried unsuccessfully to colonize the region in the 16th century. George Emerson Bean was the first resident to settle here in 1892. At the turn of the century, the region was still little developed. The only way to reach the islands was by water. It was not until 1922 that Anna Maria Island was connected to the mainland by a wooden bridge construction. Remnants of this first bridge can still be seen today in the historic Cortez neighborhood of Bradenton.
