Anna Maria Island has a busy Gulf-side beach scene at Coquina, but the bay-side launch on the opposite shore is almost unknown to tourists. Park near the boat ramp, walk fifty yards to the water, and you're paddling on quiet Sarasota Bay with the island's mangroves to your back. Manatees and dolphins frequent the south bay year-round; the water clears noticeably on an incoming tide. This is a good base for exploring the long stretch of mangrove islands that runs south toward Longboat Key. The Gulf-side parking lot gets crowded by 10am in season; the bay-side ramp stays quiet most days. If you want quiet water and a short walk to lunch on the island, this is the launch.
Where do I park, and is it free?
- Cost
- Current fee unknown
- Parking
- Unknown
- Restrooms
- Listed in the checked source (checked 2026-08-20)
- Dogs
- Not allowed
The county blueway directs paddlers to the Bayside south boat ramp. Adjacent Coquina Beach has parking and restrooms, but the ramp page does not state a fee or operating hours and prohibits overnight parking.
Access sources: mymanatee.org (checked August 20, 2026), mymanatee.org (checked August 20, 2026), mymanatee.org (checked August 20, 2026).
How clear is the water?
Sarasota Bay clears on incoming tide
What will I see?
- Manatees and dolphins frequent the south bay year-round
What's the fishing like?
Snook, redfish, and trout on the bay flats; Spanish mackerel and flounder nearer the pass.
What about the current?
Current readings come from Cortez channel (NOAA, about 0.9 mi away). The station sits just outside the launch, so treat it as a nearby reading.
How do I share the water here?
The shallows off this bay-side launch are seagrass flats, and manatees and dolphins work the south bay year-round. Walk your board out past the grass before you climb on rather than dragging a fin through it, and if a manatee surfaces near you keep your distance and let it move on, since by law it is passive observation only, no chasing and no touching.
See how it scores before you drive out.
Check Coquina Beach Ramp (AMI south) on the live map