Published: Tuesday, Dec. 09, 2008

Updated: Tuesday, Dec. 09, 2008

Beaches

ANNA MARIA

Beaches here stretch along North and South Bay Boulevard, some offering views of the Sunshine Skyway. The Anna Maria City Pier is a popular spot for tourists and anglers, and is home to City Pier Restaurant. The Anna Maria Bayfront Park is a narrow stretch of beach. Amenities include a large picnic shelter with grills, children’s playground and restrooms.

MANATEE PUBLIC BEACH

This beach is at the westernmost end of State Route 64 in Holmes Beach and is the crown jewel of the county’s six public beaches. Manatee Public Beach is a favorite location for families and seniors. Shady groves of large trees lead to the wide expanse of sandy beach. A full-service restaurant provides breakfast and lunch along with cool refreshments on those hot, sunny days. There is also a playground, volleyball courts, picnic tables, a fishing pier and restrooms. Lifeguards are on duty during park hours.

CORTEZ BEACH

This beach starts at Seventh Street South and runs south to 13th Street along Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach. There’s plenty of native vegetation and a tranquil feel of being away from it all. There are no restrooms, concessions or lifeguards, but it’s a popular spot for fishing.

COQUINA BEACH

Just south of Cortez Beach, this sandy spot is at the southernmost tip of Anna Maria Island. Coquina Beach offers the most parking, and good thing since this is popular with the weekend and holiday crowds. The beach has a concession stand, a playground, picnic pavilions, barbecue grills, volleyball courts and restrooms. Lifeguards are on duty during park hours.

COQUINA BAYSIDE PARK

This is on the bayside of the southern tip of Anna Maria Island, across Gulf Drive from Coquina Beach. If you want to see wild water’s edge of Florida, this park provides a wonderful nature trail on Leffis Key, a restored dredge island. For the boaters, there is a ramp with plenty of parking for trailers, and some access to the water at the southern end of the park for fishing in Sarasota Bay. Also available are picnic shelters with grills and restrooms. There are no lifeguards on duty.

GREER ISLAND

The only county park on Longboat Key, this is located at the northern tip of Longboat Key at the end of North Beach Road. It’s a secluded and very familyfriendly beach. Parking is limited and there are no amenities. But there’s plenty of sand, and a great place to walk the beach, especially north to the tip to watch the fishing boats and sailboats cruise through Longboat Pass. The county and island municipalities provide public access to beaches at the end of most streets, but most parking is very limited on the streets and parking rules are strictly enforced. The public portion of the beach at these accesses are along the surf’s edge, so respect the rights of property owners.