Bayfront Park sits at the north end of Anna Maria Island with open water and strong pass current nearby. Manatee County currently lists the beach, restrooms, showers, and sunrise-to-sunset hours, but does not designate a paddle launch or state current public fees and parking. The City of Anna Maria's current boating restrictions still refer to a designated landing area in section 38-51 even though that section is reserved and its former boat-landing rule was repealed. That leaves the present legal launch zone unresolved, so verify with the operator before carrying a board to the beach.
Where do I park, and is it free?
- Cost
- Current fee unknown
- Parking
- Unknown
- Restrooms
- Listed in the checked source (checked 2026-08-21)
- Showers
- Current availability unverified
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Manatee County lists a beach, restrooms, showers, and sunrise-to-sunset hours but does not designate a paddle launch or state public fees and parking. Anna Maria's current code still restricts boating by reference to a designated area in repealed section 38-51, so a present legal launch zone is not established. Verify before using the beach as a launch.
Access sources: mymanatee.org (checked August 21, 2026), cityofannamaria.com (checked August 21, 2026).
How clear is the water?
Open bay water, clear on incoming tide, especially after dry stretches
What will I see?
- Dolphins and tarpon offshore in Passage Key Inlet
What's the fishing like?
Snook and trout around the inlet, redfish on the flats; tarpon and Spanish mackerel work the pass in summer.
What about the current?
Current readings come from Passage Key Inlet (NOAA, about 0.8 mi away).
How do I share the water here?
Passage Key, the low island just off this inlet, is a National Wildlife Refuge closed to landing because it is a nesting colony for terns, skimmers, and oystercatchers. Stay off the sand entirely and watch the birds from the water, keeping well back so you do not push a nesting flock up off the island. Egmont Key to the north is a refuge too, with a closed sanctuary you reach only by boat, so treat its beaches the same way.
See how it scores before you drive out.
Check Bayfront Park (Anna Maria) on the live map