Rent a boat at Anna Maria Island

With seven miles of sunny Florida beaches stretching along the Gulf of Mexico, Anna Maria Island is a favorite vacation spot for hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. And since those barrier island beaches protect waterways like Tampa Bay, Anna Maria Sound, and Sarasota Bay, it won’t surprise anyone to learn that getting a boat rental in Anna Maria Island is an incredibly popular way to spend the day. Having unencumbered access to these waters opens up an opportunity for unlimited fun, whether you get excited by the idea of fishing, watersports, or just lazing in the sun.

Part of the charm of coming here is enjoying the small-town vibe, which has been maintained thanks to ordinances against building the high-rises, massive condominium, and hotel buildings that crowd much of Florida’s coast. The jade-green water remains unspoiled, and wildlife abounds. In fact, whether you set out in search of nature or just happen to find yourself surrounded by it as you hit the water, you’ll likely spot jumping dolphins, lounging manatees, and fish-hunting herons. Sea turtles have a special place here, too, as giant loggerheads swim out of the ocean to nest here through the summer — on the very same beaches where they hatched 30-plus years ago. Thanks to concerted efforts like volunteer monitoring, turtle nest adoption programs, and beach lighting restrictions, these beaches remain one of the places you can commonly spot the nests of this endangered species as well as four other types of sea turtles.

What to Know

Thanks to the varied waters in this area including everything from well-protected bays to the open Gulf of Mexico, you’ll find all sorts of different boats for rent. While bowriders, center consoles, and pontoon boats may be the most popular, do some searching through the boats for rent on Boatsetter and you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.
Bowrider Boats in the 20’ to 26’ range are a top choice of families looking to zip around the bays, pull up to a beach, or enjoy basic watersports like wakeboarding or tube-towing. Some are even available with captains, so all you have to worry about is kicking back and relaxing.
Center Console Boats are a top pick for anglers, but these are great for kicking around with the family, too. If you’re unfamiliar with the fishing styles and baits used in the area, you may also want to consider booking a fishing charter and reaping the benefits of a local’s experience and knowledge.
Pontoon Boats are the ultimate when it comes to lazing about on the water, and you’ll discover that these are an incredibly popular option for use in the bays and sounds protected by the barrier islands.

Safety Requirements

Boater Education: Every boater will benefit from a safety education course, but in the state of Florida, any resident born after January 1988 is required by law to take one. They also have to carry their Boating Safety Education Identification Card whenever operating a boat with 10 horsepower or more. Visitors from out of state who go boating in Florida can carry proof of completion of any NASBLA-approved boater safety course, or the equivalency examination from another state, to fulfil these requirements.
Additional Regulations: Of course, USCG safety gear requirements must always be met. And in Florida children under six years of age must wear a USCG approved life jacket on boats under 26’ while underway.
For more information on safety requirements when boating in these waterways visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating regulations webpage.

Where to dock your boat or meet your rental:

- Bradenton Beach Marina
- Coquina Beach North Boat Ramp
- Coquina Beach South Boat Ramp
- Holmes Beach Boat Ramp
- Kingfish Boat Ramp
- Keyes Marina

Weather Conditions

- Average High Temperature: 90 degrees at the height of summer.
- Average Low Temperature: 54 degrees in the depth of winter.
- Average Water Temperatures in and around Anna Maria Island:
-- 72 degrees in the spring (March, April, May)
-- 85 degrees in the summer (June, July, August)
-- 80 degrees in the fall (September, October, November)
-- 65 degrees in the winter (December, January, February)

Search Boats