10 Best Things to Do on Anna Maria Island This April
Anna Maria Island is one of those rare places that rewards visitors who actually explore it. Not just the beach — though the beach alone is worth the trip — but the quirky shops, the hidden fishing spots, the mangrove paddling trails, and the kind of island-paced life that makes you forget you have a phone.
April is one of the best months to do all of it. The island is alive but not overwhelmed. Here are ten things worth doing this month.
1. Watch the Sunrise at Bean Point
Bean Point is the northernmost tip of Anna Maria Island, where the Gulf of Mexico meets Tampa Bay. It’s a short walk from the Anna Maria City Pier, and at sunrise it might be the most peaceful place in Florida. No buildings, no crowds in the early morning, just the water and the light. Set your alarm for it at least once during your stay.
2. Breakfast at the Rod & Reel Pier
The Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria has been serving breakfast and lunch on the water for decades. Get there early, grab a table on the deck, and watch the fishing boats go out while you eat. It’s one of those “only on AMI” experiences that doesn’t exist anywhere else on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Arrive by 8 AM to beat any wait in April — in July, it’s a different story.
3. Explore Pine Avenue
Pine Avenue in Anna Maria is the island’s main street, and it punches above its weight for a road less than a mile long. You’ll find independent boutiques, art galleries, ice cream shops, and some of the island’s best casual dining — all walkable, all local, none of it a chain. The Pine Avenue Farmers Market runs on Saturday mornings and is worth organizing a morning around: local produce, art, baked goods, and a very good coffee truck.
4. Kayak or Paddleboard the Mangroves
The Gulf side of AMI gets all the attention, but the bayside is where the real wildlife is. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available along the island, and the mangrove trails on the bay side offer calm, sheltered water that’s perfect for all skill levels. April is prime time for spotting manatees in these warm inshore channels — keep your eyes open and your paddle quiet.
5. Spot Manatees
Speaking of manatees — April is one of the best months to find them around AMI. The warm waters of Tampa Bay and the shallows around the island attract manatees as they migrate through the area. The Anna Maria City Pier and the bayside kayak routes are both reliable spots. Approach quietly and stay at a respectful distance; these are gentle, protected animals and keeping them that way matters.
6. Fish the City Pier
The Anna Maria City Pier is one of the longest fishing piers on Florida’s Gulf Coast, and it’s free to fish from. Spanish mackerel, snook, redfish, and flounder are all running in April. You don’t need to be an experienced angler — just bring gear, grab bait from the bait shop, and enjoy watching the pros work while you try your luck. Even if you don’t catch anything, the views from the end of the pier are reason enough to walk it.
7. Ride the Island Trolley
The free Island Trolley runs the length of Anna Maria Island from Coquina Beach to Bean Point. It’s a great way to explore all three island towns — Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach — without worrying about parking. Hop on, hop off at whatever catches your eye. It runs daily during the season and makes a surprisingly good sightseeing loop.
8. Bike the Island
Anna Maria Island is flat, compact, and genuinely bikeable end to end. The island is about seven miles long, and the roads are calm enough that cycling is a real transportation option, not just a tourist activity. Many of our units come with bikes included — ask when you book. If you’d rather rent, several shops on the island have cruisers and beach bikes available by the day or week.
9. Eat Dinner in Holmes Beach
Holmes Beach, in the middle of the island, has some of AMI’s best restaurants. Fresh Gulf seafood, waterfront dining, casual beach bars — the selection is better than most people expect for a small island community. In April, you can usually get seated without the long waits that summer brings. A few worth seeking out: the Waterfront Restaurant for upscale seafood with bay views, and Beach Bistro if you want a special-occasion dinner on the water.
10. Watch a Gulf Sunset
This one sounds obvious, but there’s a difference between watching a Florida sunset and watching a Gulf of Mexico sunset from Anna Maria Island in April. The sky turns colors that feel slightly unreal. The water reflects it. The beach goes quiet as everyone stops to watch. Do it from the shoreline in front of AMI Getaway — 125 steps from your front door — at least once every evening of your stay. It never gets old.
Make AMI Getaway Your Base
Everything on this list is within easy reach of Anna Maria Island Getaway at 107 Eighth Street South in Bradenton Beach. Walk to the beach in 125 steps. Hop the trolley from the stop nearby. Bike Pine Avenue. Rent kayaks at the marina. This is what it looks like when your vacation rental is actually in the right location.
Spring availability is still open — but that changes as families lock in their summer plans.
Check availability and book your April or May stay at AMI Getaway →
