‘It makes a difference.’ Gulf Islands Ferry service expands with another boat
Two years after the maiden voyage of Manatee County’s Gulf Islands Ferry service, officials are expanding the service with a larger vessel.
The 93-passenger Manatee Belle could take its first passengers from downtown Bradenton to the county’s barrier islands early this year. It marks a $2.8 million investment in expanding the ferry service and will be the service’s first fully-enclosed, air-conditioned vessel.
Officials say the 100,000-pound Manatee Belle can handle rougher waters better and will allow the service to operate during rough weather events, which currently cause cancellations. The service previously only included two pontoon catamaran boats, the Miss Anna Maria and the Downtown Duchess.
From 2024 to 2025, ridership aboard the Gulf Islands Ferry saw an 82% increase, according to Elliott Falcione, director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau. He presented the latest statistics and updates at a recent Tourist Development Council meeting.
The Manatee Belle is the largest vessel for the Gulf Islands Ferry fleet so far, and Falcione said it provides a new opportunity for the service.
“We think that this is the vessel that’s going to finally give us the opportunity to move employees who live on the mainland that work on the island at no charge to the employees,” Falcione said during the recent update.
Gulf Islands Ferry gaining popularity
The Manatee Belle includes about 30 seats in the enclosed portion of the vessel, which is also equipped with air conditioning. The vessel cost about $2.8 million, paid for by the county’s tourist development tax.
“This is supported by revenues and tourism tax proceeds, so we as residents aren’t paying it through ad valorem tax,” Falcione said. “And it’s enhancing multi-modal transportation for the residents that live here at no cost to the residents.
The Gulf Islands Ferry service suspended at least 35 days of service in 2025 due to rough water conditions, Falcione said in the update.
The service has already helped get cars off the roads, too, Falcione said.
As of November, ridership was at 48,876 passengers, and Falcione estimated they would reach 50,000 passengers by the end of 2025.
“That’s probably taking off about 22-23,000 cars,” Falcione said.
Days in service also increased by about 40% from 2024 to 2025. Falcione said the addition of the Manatee Belle will hopefully allow them to increase that number moving forward.
“It will reduce the amount of suspended days,” Falcione said. “We expect it to be a lot better than the pontoon catamarans.”
In an update to the City of Holmes Beach commissioners on Dec. 16, Falcione said he hopes the Manatee Belle will be put into service sometime in January.
However, in a statement to the Bradenton Herald, a representative from the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau said the goal is to have the Manatee Belle transporting passengers sometime in the first quarter of 2026.
“We’re hoping to have the new vessel in service soon as the crew is working on further training and obtaining necessary Coast Guard approvals,” the representative said.
Ferry plans new Anna Maria Island stops
The service’s main route is from the Bradenton Riverwalk Pier — formerly the Bradenton Day Dock — to the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach. It’s about a 40-minute boat ride.
“But it’s probably a lot quicker than sitting in traffic,” Falcione added.
Falcione said his staff is also working with the City of Anna Maria as it works to rebuild the City Pier and, with it, reinstate the pier’s landing spot for the ferry service. Ideally, Falcione said, the Manatee Belle will be used to transport people from the mainland to the island. From there, riders would use the two catamarans to hop between island stops.
Another stop is close to being added to the schedule. Falcione said sea trials are complete for a stop at the South Coquina Boat Ramp, and estimated it would be added to the route this month.
“Once we get that opened…then we think we’ll entice more residents that live on the mainland to use the water ferry because Coquina may be the beach of their choice,” Falcione said.
Holmes Beach is another stop that Falcione hopes to add to the ferry system, along with a landing at the Palmetto Estuary Park.
The Palmetto spot is at least two years away from becoming a reality, Falcione said, since it will likely require dredge work and seagrass mitigation.
Other members of the Tourist Development Council liked the idea of connecting the islands and downtown Bradenton to Palmetto, especially with the park’s proximity to the Bradenton Area Convention Center.
Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown added that The Vias project is starting construction on a hotel across from the Bradenton Riverwalk Pier sometime in the next 12 months, which could help boost tourism use of the ferry system, especially when combined with the Bradenton Area Convention Center.
Brown said there are still a lot of “what ifs” with the stops that are in progress, but he’s seen a solid return on investment in the service so far.
“We’re figuring it out, because it is for the good of the whole,” Brown said. “If you’re taking tens of thousands of cars off the street, it makes a difference.”
How to ride the Gulf Islands Ferry
The Gulf Islands Ferry runs Wednesday through Sunday between downtown Bradenton and the Historic Bridge Street Pier.
Round trip prices are $10 for adults and $6 for seniors, military personnel and children ages 4 and up. Single trip prices are $6 for adults and $4 for seniors, military personnel and children ages 4 and up. Children under 3 years old and seniors over 80 years old ride for free.
Tickets can be booked ahead at the Gulf Islands Ferry website, and users can call (727) 200-6487 for assistance or further questions.
