Community Services

Island Mail and Print of Anna Maria Island

While visiting or vacationing here on Anna Maria Island it is nice to know that you can still count on being able to take careof any mail , fax, or internet requirements you may need.  This particular Island mail store offers a wide variety of mail carrier options such as  FedEx, DHL, UPS and  USPS.  You can also log onto the Internet for a fee that is charged according to the time of usage.  Facsimiles, copies, and shipping supplies can be  found in the store as well.  They have a fairly large conference room that can be used and scheduled for a fee.  This shop has fantastic customer service.  They are very well known on Anna Maria Island for going the extra mile to ensure that your every mailing or office whim is serviced.   They ship luggage, artwork, furniture, collectibles, and various other items.  They have even shipped a few cars and kayaks!

Island Mail and Print is located next to the Whistle Stop gift shop and Subway in the Island shopping plaza in Holmes Beach, Florida.

Island Mail and Print
3230 East Bay Drive
Holmes Beach, FL, 34217
(941) 778-1911
FAX (941)  779-2493

Garbage Schedule Changes for Holmes Beach, Florida residents

Garbage days changing in Holmes Beach, FloridaAttention owners in Holmes Beach, Florida, the garbage pick up days have changed to Tuesday and Friday’s.  Unfortunately, recycling continues to be on Monday’s and organic waste pickup remains on Wednesday’s.  Looks like the only day Holmes Beach residents on Anna Maria Island leave their trash alone will be Thursday’s.

Due to the Manatee avenue drawbridge closing for repairs your trash, recycling, and organic waste pickup should be curbside by 6 AM.  Once the bridge is open and back up running the normal pick up time of 7:30 AM should resume.

Tampa, Florida International Airport – TIA

You will find flying into Tampa International Airport (TIA) a breeze.  Their state of the art luggage return as well as tram service that gets you to and from the terminals is easy and makes your travel day just a little easier.  TIA is a short 1.25 hours from Anna Maria Island by way of 275 and the Sky Way Bridge.

TIA
PO BOX 22287
Tampa, Florida, 33662
(813) 870-8700

Continue reading Tampa, Florida International Airport – TIA

Beach volleyball on Anna Maria Island

Some fun organized activities for your vacation include beach volleyball. While relaxing on the coastline of Anna Maria Island, beach games are a must.

Beach Volleyball Anna Maria Island

If you can assemble a team from your own friends and family, we suggest visiting Manatee public beach. Find it at the end of Manatee Avenue or route 64 in Holmes Beach.  The Manatee public beach normally has (2) volleyball courts up at all times. You can also find a great place to play Volleyball at the Coquina Public Beach Access. Find this beach at the very southern end of Anna Maria Island.

Manatee Public Beach and Playground on Anna Maria Island

Sorry!  The Playground has been removed.   As of 2019 no playground can be found on the beach.  Manatee Public Beach is located in Holmes Beach where Manatee Avenue runs right into the Gulf of Mexico.  Manatee Public Beach has free parking, picnic tables, volleyball nets, public restrooms, a café right on the beach with food and drinks, and a lifeguard on duty.

The playground is directly on the beach and contains swings, a wall to climb, ladder, a larger straight slide as well as two toddler slides, and the normal accessories most modular playgrounds offer.  This playground can be busy all week long as mainland locals use this playground very often as well as families that want a combined day at the beach and playground.  There are a few benches that parents can use to sit and relax however an inexpensive beach chair located close to the playground can work best.

For a bite to eat try out Cafe on the beach,  located at the public beach to get drinks and hot dog meals etc.  There is also a small gift shop located at the Manatee Public Beach.

Anna Maria Island Manatee Public Beach

The Anna Maria Island Manatee Public Beach is very popular!

Manatee Public Beach

located in Holmes Beach, it allows for easy access since it is at the end of Manatee Avenue/SR64. This is one of three access points to the island.

The Public Beach boasts a very large FREE parking area that handles 120 parking spots however there are plenty of times that the parking is not adequate for the demand. Manatee Avenue does have additional street parking, however, be sure to mind no parking signs. There is a trolley stop at the public beach too!

Manatee Public Beach offers great amenities.  Lifeguards, showers, volleyball courts, small slides, gift shop, bathrooms, concessions, and covered eating area with picnic tables make this a great beach spot.  It’s a great place to spend an afternoon people watching, or just relaxing at the beach with family.

The public beach is officially 900 feet in width although it’s difficult for even locals to see where the park really ends since the entire island has public beaches. Within a walk to the beach is a popular restaurant called Skinny’s that serves alcoholic drinks and concessions.  Bring plenty of water and some snacks for children as the heat can quickly take its toll on active children.  For more information call Manatee County Parks and Recreation Department at (941) 742-5923.

Anna Maria quick telephone references for property owners

This is a list of quick references for Island Real Estate owners in Manatee county, Florida, which includes but is not limited to, Anna Maria Island, North Longboat Key, and Bradenton.

Who to call if you see…

illegal dumping… (941) 792-8811 #4969
blockages in County maintained ditches and streams … (941) 708-7522
debris in minor roadside ditches …(941) 708-7497
Water main break …(941) 792-8811 #5268 or # 5216
sewer drainage or back up problem (941) 795-3411
building without permit … (941) 749-3047 Continue reading Anna Maria quick telephone references for property owners

Local Medical Centers Anna Maria Island

There are a few medical centers within a 20 minute drive of Anna Maria Island.

Local Medical Centers Anna Maria Island

Blake Medical Center is closest to the island, and is located at 2020 59th Street West
Bradenton,  FL  34209
Telephone: (941)792-6611

Blake offers an ER with short wait times, and any emergency service you will need.

Manatee Memorial Hospital is located in the heart of Bradenton at
206 Second Street East
Bradenton, FL 34208
(941) 746-5111

Manatee Memorial Hospital is farther from the island, but does have a full facility and services available.

Manatee Urgent Care walk in clinic is located on Manatee Avenue at 4647 in Bradenton, FL 34209.
941-745-5999

If you find yourself in an emergency while on Anna Maria Island call 911. Island emergency services also have quick response times.

If you need information about pharmacies on Anna Maria Island visit our Pharmacy information page.

Anna Maria airport transportation

Flights To Anna Maria Island Florida

If you need to fly to the area the choices are Tampa Airport or Sarasota Bradenton International airport. The Tampa airport is about an hour and a half drive from Anna Maria Island. Sarasota Bradenton Airport is about 45 minutes away.

Some less used airports to fly into are the St Petersburg/Clearwater airport. This one is about the same distance as the Tampa Airport.  For international flights another alternative is one of two Orlando airports. Orlando also offers some very competitive airfares. The one way car trip takes about 2 hours in light traffic. Many guests also enjoy visiting Orlando for the theme parks.

Click the link for more information on transport services to Anna Maria Island from the Tampa International Airport or Sarasota/Bradenton Airports.

Travel to an Anna Maria Island rental by car

Traveling to an Anna Maria Island rental by vehicle is also a choice. Many guests come from with in Florida. Anna Maria Island also has many guest from Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. Many of these guests also travel by car. See below for estimated mileage from a few major North American cities.

Montreal, Quebec – 1550 Miles  :  Toronto, Ontario – 1400 Miles
Milwaukee, WI – 1300 Miles       :  Chicago, IL – 1220 Miles
Syracuse, NY – 1325 Miles          :  New York, NY – 1175 Miles
Boston, MA – 1420 Miles             :  Pittsburgh, PA – 1075 Miles
Orlando, FL – 122 Miles               :  Atlanta, GA – 500 Miles

Nearly all Anna Maria Island beach rentals offer wireless internet. Find information on Wireless Internet Hot-Spots on Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island Newspapers

Anna Maria Island Newspapers are a great way to see what is going on in the community. There is nothing more fun than a small town newspaper! The island is fortunate to have two local papers and one covering Bradenton and Manatee county.

Larger Local news coverage

The Bradenton Herald is the largest local newspaper and primarily focuses on the mainland (Bradenton).  Anna Maria Island is covered within the newspaper, however Bradenton normally overshadows the events on the island.

Anna Maria Island newspapers

We have two local newspapers that primarily cover Anna Maria Island.  The first local newspaper is the Anna Maria Island Sun which covers island life as well as news and events.  Courtesy of Island Real Estate, we will arrange for a copy of the Sun to be mailed to any address in the United States for six months, free of charge.  Please send your postal mail address as well as “I want the Sun!” to Island Real Estate.  The second local newspaper, the Islander also covers Anna Maria Island news, etc.   Both approach news on the island with different philosophies so you choose which best suits your needs to keep abreast of island events.

The Longboat Key and News covers primarily Long Boat Key however it does cover some news on Anna Maria.