Sand Dollar Restaurant Anna Maria Island (2024)

FAQs

Are there sand dollars on Anna Maria Island? ›

But, in the early morning hours, you can walk its shoreline and find a wide assortment of intact shells, sand dollars, and fossilized shark teeth. The later you come, the less you might find, and the more broken they might be.

The most Southern tip of Anna Maria Island is known as Coquina beach and has parking for hundreds of vehicles with a sidewalk path just to the East of the beach that makes bicycling or walking 10+ blocks North and South away from the hustle and bustle of Gulf Drive.

Visit White Sands Beach Resort, located on the Beautiful Beaches of Anna Maria Island, famous for White Sandy Beaches and Crystal Clear Water. White Sands is a True Florida Vacation Get-a-way! Tripadvisor Ranked Anna Maria Island, Florida 4th in U.S. Island Vacation Destinations!

Anna Maria Island is only seven miles long, but there are plenty of hidden spots that you might find on your walk. You might stumble upon a pier, or you could find a secret cove that makes for the perfect picnic spot.

Finally, Bean Point is a must-visit spot for any Anna Maria Island beach shelling enthusiast. This secluded beach is located on the island's northern tip and is known for its clear waters and abundance of shells. Keep an eye out for sand dollars, angel wings, and shark eyes.

It's illegal to remove a live sand dollar from the beach. So now that you've found a sand dollar shell, how do you get your treasure to look like those pure white sand dollars you see in catalogues and home decor magazines?

Manatee Public Beach on Anna Maria Island

If you're hoping to get out in the sun with some of the best ocean scenery and clear turquoise waters that you can find on Anna Maria Island, there's no better place than Manatee Public Beach.

"The northernmost of three cozy beach towns on a seven-mile-long island, Anna Maria is packed with so much old-Florida charm—from its sun-faded architecture and ice cream shops to beachside seafood shacks—it's essentially a 1950s time warp," writes Liz Newman, who is listed as the site's former Miami editor.

Be cautious at all times. Never swim alone. Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach. On Anna Maria Island, there are two public beaches—Coquina Beach and Manatee County Public Beach—that have lifeguards present between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Manatee Public Beach is one of the most popular of the Anna Maria Island beaches. It's perfect for families, and chock full of amenities, if you need a break from the sun. Its white sands and gentle waves make for a safe place for kids to play and swim. The beach is also staffed year-round by lifeguards.

Can you find shark's teeth on Anna Maria Island? ›

Discovering Anna Maria Island: A Treasure Hunter's Paradise

The island's beaches are renowned for their abundance of fossilized shark teeth, drawing both amateur and seasoned fossil hunters from around the world.

Bean Point is at the northernmost tip of Anna Maria. So, you'd expect it to be easy to locate. In reality, it's one of the most private and secluded areas of the island. Because it's a little off the beaten path, it's been a hidden gem for many years.

Everything about AMI is wonderful, but it does come at a price. It is not cheap here. In the high season it very crowded and much more expensive. I visited in July and October when it is cheaper and less crowded so of course I had a different experience than you may have in the high season.

Typically, the island depends on wells that extract water from the Floridan Aquifer. This extensive underground limestone formation underlies a significant portion of Florida and stands as a primary drinking water source for the state. The Floridan Aquifer's distinction lies in its water of high quality.