Anna Maria, FL

The Gulf Islands Ferry expanded its route on Tuesday with a new stop at Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island. County tourism officials are celebrating the move as a way to cut down on car traffic, reporting 300 to 350 passengers daily during the off-season. The ferry now connects three stops: the Bradenton Riverwalk Pier,…

BY ERNIE VANDERWALT A drone pilot flying the north tip of Anna Maria Island, Florida, has captured footage of a piebald lemon shark cruising the shallows off Bean Point, and two shark researchers have now confirmed what the internet suspected: this is the real thing, and it’s exceptionally rare. Jacob Merrifield, who shoots regular drone […]

Rescuers found nearly 80 sea turtle hatchlings on Anna Maria Island after artificial lighting drew them away from safe nesting areas, officials say.

A Manatee County man accused of attempting to murder his wife in a violent boating incident remains without a confirmed trial date after Thursday’s court hearing. Douglas Scott Naeher, 61, faces attempted first-degree murder, felony battery, and robbery charges stemming from a July 2025 attack that took place approximately 33 miles off Anna Maria Island.…

Sea turtle nesting season on Anna Maria Island is entering its final chapter. Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch reported no new nests or adult turtle crawls this week, signaling that the mama turtles may have finished their work for the year. But the story isn’t over yet. 179 nests remain on the beach, and volunteers…

Anna Maria Island is known for its white sand beaches, quiet streets, and old Florida charm. But anyone who’s tried to park there on a sunny weekend knows it also means traffic jams and endless circling. City commissioners just reviewed a new plan that could change that, and it involves paid parking.The proposal would put…