There’s not really a definitive line that separates one from the other and there’s not a noticeable difference in the types of accommodations (one’s not necessarily nicer than the other). The northern end of the island is Anna Maria Island. There’s a very large public beach access at the southern end of the island (Coquina Beach) and as you go north it’s pretty much one long stretch of “little beach town” vibes. The southern part of the island is Bradenton Beach (the city of Bradenton is just across on the mainland). The northernmost island is technically one long island, but it’s split into two distinct parts: Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach. Now, onto the specifics… Anna Maria Island vs Siesta Key vs Longboat Keyģ0+ miles of white sand beaches stretch along (from north to south) Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, Longboat Key, Lido Key, and Siesta Key. If you like Sanibel/Captiva and Marco Island then you’ll probably like it. If you like Destin, Panama City Beach, Coco Beach, or Clearwater/St Pete, you’re probably not going to like this area. You won’t find a Bubba Gump’s or Hooters anywhere in sight. This area is night and day from the St Pete and Clearwater area just north. While there is plenty built up on these islands, they don’t feel overly commercialized. They’re also pretty tropical (Bradenton is where the tropic line is in Florida) which I like. Things feel pretty spread out on the islands but there are little hubs where shops and restaurants tend to be centralized. Everything is mostly condos and vacation rentals. There aren’t very many hotels or resorts. These islands feel like small beach towns. The Sarasota Areaįirst off, while these three islands are all very different, they’re all fairly close together in the Sarasota area and have somewhat of a similar vibe. If you’re feeling drawn to Anna Maria Island or Longboat Key, read this post that’s a full guide to the area. Stay tuned…in this post I’m going to break down the pros and cons of each island so you can decide which one sounds best to you. People searching for Florida’s best beaches and wanting to avoid the crowded, over touristy beaches of St Pete and Clearwater (to the north) are often drawn here.īut which island is best? I wish there was an obvious answer, but unfortunately…”it depends.” This chain of islands off Sarasota (between Tampa and Fort Myers on the gulf coast) is well known for its white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and small beach town vibes. If you love the beach and you’re planning a trip to Florida, you’ve undoubtedly heard about the beaches of Sarasota’s famous barrier islands: Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, and Siesta Key.
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