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Beaches & Parks
Manatee County's coast is its front porch — the white sand of Anna Maria Island, the mangrove channels of the preserves, boat ramps, ballfields and trails. Here's how to make the most of it, and how to help protect it.
On the live site, this panel would show today's flag status, water quality, parking availability and red-tide reports, refreshed automatically from county and state feeds.
Families & first-timersHolmes Beach · Anna Maria Island
The island's most popular family beach — full facilities, gentle Gulf water and easy access make it the classic Manatee County beach day.
Shade, space & sunsetsBradenton Beach · south island
A long, Australian-pine-shaded strand at the island's south end — room to spread out, watch the pelicans and stay for a Gulf sunset.
Quiet & shellingAnna Maria · north tip
Where the Gulf meets Tampa Bay at the island's northern tip — a wilder, facility-free beach beloved for calm mornings, shelling and solitude.
Trails, kayaking & wildlifeRobinson · Emerson Point · Neal
Thousands of restored acres of mangrove, marsh and tidal flat — paddle the channels, climb the observation tower, and see the Gulf Coast as it was.
Protect the coast
May through October, shield or turn off beachfront lights at night so nesting sea turtles and hatchlings aren't led astray.
Fill in holes, knock down sandcastles and take everything with you at day's end — holes and gear trap wildlife overnight.
Keep your distance from nesting shorebirds, marked nests and manatees. A little space keeps the coast wild for the next visitor.
Do it online, anytime
Pay a bill, pull a permit, reserve a shelter or report a problem without a trip downtown. Manatee County services, wherever you are, on whatever device you've got.