Guest Hook Travel Guides Anna Maria Island | Page 5

5 EXPERIENCES YOU CANNOT MISS... 1 A Totally Different Anna Maria Island... 2 Super Extra Deluxe Sunsets... 3 Say Hi to the Dolphins and Manatees... 4 Be a Wedding Splasher... 5 Take a Turtle Tour... Anna Maria Island is very much about the 7 mile white, sandy beach. To experience something completely different, take a trip to Leffis Key among the mangroves where the wildlife is abundant. It's right across from Coquina Beach and has easy access via walkways. The sunrise is amazing from the 26ft hill in the middle of the preserve. You'll have an incredible 360 degree view featuring the Gulf and Sarasota bay. For superb sunsets head up to Bean Point. Getting there is a part of the experience. Parking is limited so you might want to take the trolley, jump off at Pine Ave and then walk north on North Shore Dr until you hit North Bay Dr. That's where you'll find the pathway to Bean Point. It's magical, like a tunnel that is dug out through the trees. Once there the wind will pick up since you have open water on three sides, but that's also what makes the light so special. Don't forget to bring a flashlight as it can be very dark when you go back through the pathway. The best way to get close to the wildlife, that is so abundant in the area, is to take a kayak tour. Here you'll have the chance to see both dolphins and manatees right up close. For the more daring individuals there are also alligator tours. There really is no better way to get up close and personal than this - plus it's eco friendly and a great workout too! There are several tour operators but we like Happy Paddler, where Holly and Shane are very dedicated to what they do. This is a really quirky suggestion, but where else could you do this if not on AMI? Do you like weddings? Would you like to attend one without having to dress up or buy an expensive wedding gift? With AMI being "the Wedding capital of Florida" there are so many weddings on the beach - to join the romance and excitement just lay in the warm waters of the Mexican Gulf and watch the ceremony! During the summer you can join a nesting or excavation tour of the sea turtles that lay eggs on Anna Maria Island. You get so much great information and a deeper understanding of what happens on the beach when you're not there. Call Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring to enroll for the next tour. It's free, but donations are gladly accepted! You can get their latest updates on Facebook too.