Photo spots

Holmes Beach

“Welcome to Anna Maria Island” sign

The classic arrival photo, right after you cross the Manatee Avenue bridge onto the island. The Rotary Club of AMI maintains the sign, and its lifeguard-chair prop is back in place (confirmed in person on September 30, 2026).

Best time: Morning or late afternoon for soft light.

• Park in the Kingfish Boat Ramp lot. Never stop on Manatee Avenue.
• Watch for boat trailers in the lot.

Owner confirmed in person that the lifeguard chair is back at the sign.

📍 Kingfish Boat Ramp, 752 Manatee Ave, Holmes Beach, FL 34217

Anna Maria

City of Anna Maria welcome sign

Town welcome sign for the island’s northernmost city.

Best time: Any time with the sun behind you.

• Pull fully off the road to take photos.

📍 Location to confirm: Location to confirm by owner (we could not verify it from public sources).

Holmes Beach

City of Holmes Beach welcome sign

Town welcome sign for Holmes Beach, the island’s middle city.

Best time: Any time with the sun behind you.

• Pull fully off the road to take photos.

📍 Location to confirm: Location to confirm by owner (we could not verify it from public sources).

Bradenton Beach

City of Bradenton Beach welcome sign

Town welcome sign for Bradenton Beach, the island’s southern city.

Best time: Any time with the sun behind you.

• Pull fully off the road to take photos.

📍 Location to confirm: Location to confirm by owner (we could not verify it from public sources).

Anna Maria

Anna Maria City Pier

The historic pier stretching into Tampa Bay at the end of Pine Avenue. It was rebuilt after the 2024 hurricanes; as of September 2026 the walkway was finished and the city was targeting a reopening this fall. Check before you go.

Best time: Sunrise over Tampa Bay, or golden hour from the shoreline.

• If the pier is still closed, shoot it from the shoreline by the trolley stop.

📍 Pine Ave at N Bay Blvd, Anna Maria, FL 34216

Anna Maria

Bean Point

The island’s northern tip, where the Gulf meets Tampa Bay, with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on the horizon.

Best time: Sunset.

• No parking lot. Bike, walk or take the trolley to Pine Ave.
• Bring a zoom lens for the Skyway.

📍 North Shore Dr at N Bay Blvd, Anna Maria, FL 34216

Anna Maria

Pine Avenue storefronts

Colorful Old Florida-style shops and cottages between Gulf Drive and the City Pier.

Best time: Morning, before the shops get busy.

• Great for family shots with pastel backdrops.

📍 Pine Ave, Anna Maria, FL 34216

Holmes Beach

Sunset at Manatee Public Beach

Wide Gulf beach at the end of Manatee Avenue. An easy, lifeguarded spot for sunset family photos.

Best time: Golden hour and sunset.

• Check today’s sunset time on the Right Now page.

📍 4000 Gulf Dr (at SR 64), Holmes Beach, FL 34217

Bradenton Beach

Historic Bridge Street

Old Florida main street of shops, bars and restaurants running from Gulf Drive to the bay.

Best time: Blue hour, when the lights come on.

• The free trolley stops at Gulf Dr & Bridge St.

📍 Bridge St, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

Bradenton Beach

Bradenton Beach City Pier

The pier at the bay end of Bridge Street, with boats, pelicans and views across Sarasota Bay.

Best time: Sunrise over the bay, or evening.

• Look back toward Bridge Street for a classic shot.

📍 200 Bridge St, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

Bradenton Beach

Coquina Beach

Long, wide Gulf beach at the island’s south end, toward Longboat Pass.

Best time: Sunset.

• Walk south toward Longboat Pass for fewer people in frame.

📍 2650 Gulf Dr, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

Anna Maria

Sunset from the Sandbar

Toes-in-the-sand dining with the sun dropping into the Gulf.

Best time: Sunset.

• Arrive early for a table facing the water.

📍 100 Spring Ave, Anna Maria, FL 34216

Cortez

Cortez fishing village

A historic working fishing village just over the Cortez Bridge, home to the Florida Maritime Museum.

Best time: Morning, when the fishing boats are active.

• Respect working docks and private property.

📍 4415 119th St W, Cortez, FL 34215

Anna Maria

Old City Jail (1927)

A tiny concrete jail, about the size of a closet, that held Anna Maria's troublemakers from 1927 to the late 1940s. It sits on the Historical Museum grounds, so it's a quick photo stop, not an outing. Pair it with the free museum and a Pine Ave stroll.

Best time: Any time from dawn to dusk; morning if you want the museum open too.

• Open dawn to dusk, free.
• Step back for the whole building; it's small enough to fit in one shot with people in the doorway.

📍 402 Pine Ave, Anna Maria, FL 34216

Holmes Beach

Mural at Alvin's Island

A painted mural on the side wall of the Alvin's Island beach shop in Holmes Beach. People stop here for photos, and it's an easy one to grab on a shopping run.

Best time: Morning or late afternoon, when the wall isn't in harsh sun.

• Park in the shopping center lot and walk over; don't stop in the drive lanes.

Owner has seen people taking photos at the mural.

📍 3602 E Bay Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217