Anna Maria Island Florida Archives – AMI Locals Blog | Anna Maria Island Vacation Rentals

April 22, 2021August 10, 2022

This Weekend is the De Soto Parade

A big event is returning to the Bradenton-Anna Maria Island area! After being cancelled last year due to COVID, the De Soto Parade is making a much-anticipated 2021 comeback on Saturday, April 24th.

As a heads up to our Anna Maria Island visitors who will be arriving to check in this day – traffic will be more tricky than usual! Manatee Avenue will be CLOSED late afternoon (4pm-ish) for a large section headed west toward the island, so you will need to use an alternative route if you are driving during this time.

This map outlines a little work-around! If you are coming from the highway or from US 41 and going out Manatee Avenue, instead try this:

From Manatee Avenue headed WEST, turn LEFT onto Tamiami Trail US 41.
Continue SOUTH until 44th Ave W, and turn RIGHT
Continue heading WEST until 59th Ave, then turn RIGHT
Go NORTH until you come again to Manatee Avenue, where you will turn LEFT
Then continue WEST and you will arrive on Anna Maria Island!

We hope this helps! Just pack a little extra patience, and build in the time to go around the parade route. Or, stop and enjoy the parade with the locals!! If you have any questions, please text our awesome AMI Locals Guest Services team at 941-226-8442

*IF YOU GO to the De Soto Parade

Details: 7 p.m. April 24. Free to attend.

Route: Parade begins at Manatee High School, travels west on Ninth Avenue West, north on 39th Street West and then east on Manatee Avenue West, ending at Ninth Street West.

Info: desotohq.com/parade.

May 7, 2020August 10, 2022

Best Beaches in the World

Where are the Best Beaches in the World? According to a new post by Travel Addicts, Bean Point Beach on Anna Maria Island is one of the World’s Best Beaches!

So, our secret is out. But we’ve been saying for years that Anna Maria Island is home to the best beaches in the United States and one of the best beaches in the World. Our 7-mile long stretch of powder-soft white sandy beaches is one of the best beach vacation destinations you can choose to visit. Better yet, the beautifully clear turquoise waters and quiet beach town atmosphere are all available to you without even having to leave the country!

First, let’s take a look at Bean Point Beach.

Best Beaches in the World - Bean Point Beach, Anna Maria Island Florida

Located on the northern tip of Anna Maria Island, Bean Point Beach is breathtakingly beautiful. It is also one of the more peaceful beach spots to watch a sunset, as crowds tend to favor the more easily accessible Manatee Public Beach. Bean Point Beach is a great spot for walking. You can observe the Florida wildlife such as birds and fish, dolphins, and more. Breathe in the fresh salty air and exhale all of your stress and worries.

AMI Locals properties that are located within a very close walking distance to Bean Point Beach include: Bean Point Bungalow, Grande Haven, Coastal Queen, Beach Escape, and Bay View Beauty.

Next, let’s explore Manatee Public Beach!

Best Beaches in the World, Manatee Public Beach Anna Maria Island Florida

Manatee Public Beach is another great location where your family can see the sunset on the island! With plenty of parking, the AMI Beach Café, and amenties such as the public bathrooms onsite, it is one of the most convenient and usually more busy beach destinations on Anna Maria Island. It’s a beautiful and family-friendly place to gather and enjoy the sun and sand!

AMI Locals properties that are located within a very close walking distance to Manatee Public Beach include: The Islands West Resort Villas, Beach View Retreat, The Coconut Cottages, Sandy Pointe, and Gulf Pearl.

Finally, let’s visit Coquina Beach!

Best Beaches in the World, Coquina Beach Anna Maria Island Florida

Located on the southernmost point of Anna Maria Island, Coquina Beach features parking, public amenities, walking trails, and great views of the Longboat Pass drawbridge. The waves kick up a bit more at this beach, and the breeze is so nice! Coquina Beach Market happens here during season, too, so you can browse our local artists’ work and souvenirs.

AMI Locals properties that are located within a very close walking distance to Coquina Beach include: Sea Forever, Ocean Breeze, As Far as the Eye Can Sea, The Surof House, Beach to Bay, Crystal Waves Oasis, and Salt Life.

Thanks again to our friends at Travel Addicts!

Check out their great collection of articles and travel tips, and be sure to check out our available AMI Locals Anna Maria Island luxury vacation rental homes for your next getaway!

April 15, 2020August 10, 2022

We can’t wait to travel again!

What to Pack for Your Vacation to Anna Maria Island

Things we can’t wait to do when it’s ok to travel again…

We don’t know about you, but the time spent at home with our loved ones has been wonderful… but… we can’t wait to travel again! The beaches of Anna Maria Island especially are calling our name. So, here are the things we most look forward to visiting in the near future!

We can’t wait to…

Spend a beach day in the warm Florida sunshine at Manatee Public Beach, beginning with all-you-can-eat pancakes at AMI Beach Cafe!
Stroll down Pine Avenue and shop in person instead of just Amazon shopping online. We are great at spending money either way (whoops!) but we love the warm ambiance of the city and saying hello to the local shopkeepers.
Enjoy a Sazerac with our friends at The Doctor’s Office. It’s not often you find the perfect cocktail, but this one is pretty darn close.
Play a round of miniature golf at The Fish Hole on Bridge Street. And then walk over and check out the new Daiquiri Deck.
Get our hair cut at Acqua Aveda!!! And also our nails, massages, facials…
Just sit on the beach at Bean Point.
Wave at the adorable manatees and grab a beer at Rod ‘n Reel Pier!
Hike the mangrove trails of Leffis Key Preserve.
Sit on the patio at Wicked Cantina and watch the sunset with a big group of pals, chips & salsa, and a margarita. Yum.
Get out on the water with Egmont Key Adventures. Sunset cruises, Dolphin watching, maybe even go fishing!

We can’t wait to do all of these things, and to welcome new visitors back to our beautiful Anna Maria Island.

So please stay safe, stay healthy, wash your hands, and we hope to see you all soon on the beach! When you’re looking to book your summer vacation, give AMI Locals a call!

April 7, 2020August 10, 2022

Best Place to Vacation Post COVID-19

We are all looking forward to the days when life gets back to normal and the uncertainty has settled. One thing we will take away from this is how important it truly is to Carpe Diem, and enjoy every moment! So in the midst of COVID-19 you might be thinking we need a vacation, we need to escape and relax, and we need to have fun. But where is the Best Place to Vacation Post COVID–19? What is the future of travel after Coronavirus?

Travel in the United States and support local businesses

Here are a few things to keep in mind while planning your next vacation. Consider staying state side and travel in the United States. Also consider areas where you can support local business and economy. Major cities like New York and theme parks like Disney have been heavily impacted and will take time to get back to their usual hustle and bustle. A better option is planning a beach vacation. One place remains pristine and ready for new guests, and that’s Anna Maria Island.

Get your “Vitamin Sea” post COVID-19

Visit the best white sand beaches in Florida here in Anna Maria Island! We’ve got 7 miles of beautiful Gulf front beaches with sparkling blue water and views for miles with no high rises insight! Come Vacation like a Local and let AMI Locals help you plan your post quarantine getaway. We work with professional cleaning companies and you can rest assured linens and sheets are sterilized between every guest by our professional linen program. We have over a 160 homes in the area, and are experts in island living. Hands down the Best Place to Vacation Post COVID-19!

The beach offers a much needed serenity and the resilience of the island make it a top pick for post COVID–19 travel. Shawn Kaleta, who owns multiple homes on the island, says in regards to Anna Maria Island, “we have been through recessions before and we will get through this one. There is no better place to visit, especially after a time like this.”

Anna Maria is one of a kind in that it offers world class beaches, beautiful luxury vacation homes, and unique shops and restaurants. Check out some of our favorites like Ginny and Jane E’s, The Waterfront Restaurant, The Sand Dollar Gift Shop, Beach House Restaurant, and Acqua Aveda Salon and Spa.

So, Carpe Diem!

So we say Carpe Diem, “Seize the Day” and plan your next trip to Anna Maria Island with AMI Locals. The Best Place to Vacation Post COVID-19. There’s no better time than now! AMI Locals is a newer and rapidly growing company. We feature only the best luxury vacation rental homes available on Anna Maria Island in Florida. Let AMI Locals help you plan your perfect beach getaway today! Give us a call or check out our available homes online, we can’t wait to see you here!