This is the public launch on the bayside causeway that carries Manatee Avenue toward Anna Maria Island. Manatee County lists parking and paddle access, but does not state a current fee, capacity, or restroom availability. Its general 24-hour ramp guidance conflicts with the facility page's overnight-parking restriction, so verify hours before relying on an early or late launch. Palma Sola Bay is shallow and sheltered close in; mind boat traffic and a hard low tide.
Where do I park, and is it free?
- Cost
- Current fee unknown
- Parking
- Unknown
- Restrooms
- Current availability unverified (checked 2026-08-21)
- Dogs
- Dog beach (sand and water)
Manatee County lists Palma Sola as a public boat-ramp and paddle-access site with parking, but it does not state a current fee, capacity, or restroom availability. General county ramp hours conflict with the facility's overnight-parking restriction, so verify launch hours before relying on them.
Access sources: mymanatee.org (checked August 21, 2026), mymanatee.org (checked August 21, 2026), mymanatee.org (checked August 21, 2026).
How clear is the water?
Sheltered bay water.
What will I see?
- Manatees move into Palma Sola Bay's warmer shallows through the cold months
- Dolphins and their calves feed across the shallow bay flats year-round
- Wading birds along the mangrove edges; sea turtles nest on the bay's west side near the Sound
What's the fishing like?
Sheltered bay: trout and redfish on the grass flats, snook along the mangroves, sheepshead on the causeway rocks.
How do I share the water here?
The bottom you paddle over here is seagrass, the same grass the manatees feed on and the nursery that keeps the bay's fish and water clear. It is fragile enough that the county has moved to regulate the horseback outfits that churn it up, so do your part: launch and land off the grass at low tide instead of dragging across it, and give any feeding manatee or resting flock of birds a wide, quiet arc.
See how it scores before you drive out.
Check Palma Sola Causeway Ramp on the live map