Of course you want to get in the water during your beach vacation. After all, watersports help you stay cool on those long summer days.
The easiest, quickest, and least expensive water sport is swimming! Our beaches and waters are the most beautiful you’ll find anywhere. So jump right in at a spot like Manatee Beach, a family favorite. The beach has lifeguards, bathrooms, showers, and a playground. Coquina Beach at the southern tip of the island also has lifeguards, concessions and facilities.
If you’re up for a high-adrenaline adventure, rent a personal watercraft from H2O Watersportz, located over the Cortez Road Bridge from Anna Maria Island. The outfitter rents the new Yamaha FXHO model that seats three people. All safety gear included. If you prefer, HZO Watersportz also offers private and guided tours. They’ll even customize the trip for your group.
Ever see those banana boats and think, “that looks like a lot of fun?” You’d be right on that. Have a blast on a banana boat ride with Go Bananas. Choose a mild ride or a wild ride. They’ll cater to you. You may fall off, but you’ll have a smile on your face the whole time. Go Bananas is owned and operated by Anna Maria Island natives who want to share the best of their home with visitors. They’ll pick you up and drop you off at your AMI vacation property.
If you prefer a high-flying experience, book a trip with Anna Maria Island Parasail. Based at Keyes Marina in Holmes Beach, they’ll get you up in no time. The boat was designed solely for parasailing and is Coast Guard-certified to seat up to 12. It’s an easy launch and landing, directly from the boat to about 500 feet in the air. Choose to have the crew dip you in the water at the end of the flight, or step back on the boat completely dry.
Take a guided stand-up paddle board tour with Kayak Jack’s, a full-service kayak and paddle board rental company. Their guided tours launch from Robinson Preserve or Emerson Point. Or book rentals and they’ll deliver to your vacation property. A stand-up paddle board makes an amazing way to visit the calm AMI inlets and waterways.
Fishing is also a water sport, right? And you only have to get wet if you want. Book a trip with AMI Charters Saltwater Adventures, and they’ll put you on the fish. Don’t want to fish? No worries. Book a Sunset Cruise or a Family Boat Tour.
Prefer to get below the surface? Go diving with Scuba Ethan’s Outdoor Adventures in Holmes Beach. AMI dive sites include The Regina, a sugar barge that sank in 1940, and Dolphin Ledge, about 57 to 63 feet, covered with coral and home to several species of tropical fish. If you’re not a certified diver, Scuba Ethan’s also offers snorkeling trips to Egmont Key and a two-day diving certification program.
Who’s ready to hit the water?