Plan your trip
Island rules
Island rules worth knowing
No dogs on the beach
Pets aren’t allowed on island beaches. Anna Maria has fined violators $250 plus fees. See Essentials for dog-friendly spots.
No alcohol or glass on the beach
Alcohol is prohibited on public beaches in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach (Holmes Beach allows it only in the Manatee Public Beach café seating area), and glass containers are banned.
No fires, grills or fireworks on the beach
Fires, grills and fireworks are prohibited on the beach (grills are allowed at Bayfront Park and at the county beach parks’ designated areas).
Take everything home, fill your holes
Remove all furniture, gear and trash every day and fill in any holes you dig. They trap sea turtles and trip people at night.
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Turtle season lighting (May 1 to Oct 31)
Lights visible from the beach must be shielded or off from sunset to sunrise; close your curtains, and don’t use flashlights, phone lights or flash photography on the beach at night.
No bikes or vehicles on the beach
Bicycles, golf carts and other vehicles aren’t allowed on the sand.
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Parking
Park only where signs allow, with all tires off the pavement where permitted, never blocking driveways, and not within 15 ft of a hydrant, 20 ft of a crosswalk or 30 ft of a stop sign. Holmes Beach enforces permit-only zones. The free trolley is the easiest way to avoid parking altogether.