The Bradenton Area is home to miles and miles of sandy white beaches that are just waiting for you to sink your toes into. But with so many options there’s comes a very important question: which beach is the right beach for you? Fortunately, the Bradenton Area has it is – from serene, quiet escapes to popular beaches with a ton of amenities, here is a guide to finding the perfect beach for every occasion.

For the whole family

Planning to spend a long day at the beach with the whole family? Your perfect spot is sure to be Manatee Beach. Just grab a parking spot (or take the free trolley), create the perfect beach set up (we recommend a large tent that everyone will fit under fore shade) and prepare for a long day of fun. At Manatee Beach you’ll find amenities like changing rooms, restrooms, picnic tables, grills and more. There’s even a beach café where you can food all day from whole meals to snacks everyone is sure to love – if you get there early enough you can even indulge in their all-you-can-eat pancakes. After you’ve spent a long hot day in the sun this beach offers showers right at the entrance that you can use to rinse off the sand and salt. And Manatee Beach is situated perfectly in the middle of Anna Maria Island, lending itself the perfect location to find the best post-beach dinner for your entire party.  

For the quiet getaway

Sometimes you just need a few hours of relaxing beach time. For that there is the hidden gem of Bean Point – a beautiful white sand beach found at the very tip of Anna Maria Island. Once you find its “secret” entrance you’ll know you’re in for a treat. This beach is always quiet, secluded and sparsely populated. Here all you’ll need is a good book to read and a towel to lay on. And while you may be inclined to leave your phone behind we’re sure you’ll want it in tow when you reach the top of the boardwalk entrance to the beach – from here you’ll find stunning views of the emerald-green waters of Tampa Bay with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge stretching high above it. Snap a few photos to brag on social media then put the phone on airplane mode – it’s time for some You time.

For the adventurer

Coquina Beach at the end of Anna Maria Island has a lot to offer – it has amenities like a café, restrooms, plenty of parking and more. But that’s not all it’s known for. This beach is the best spot to find the most amazing shells, shark’s teeth, and sand dollars that will be the perfect keepsake when you return home. Coquina Beach is also a great launching point for kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding as its close to the Longboat Key pass and a great access point to the calm intracoastal waters that lie between the mainland and islands. Just pick a spot, set up your beach gear, and launch into the water for however long you feel like it. That way everything will still be there when you get back and you can spend the rest of your day relaxing under your shady umbrella.

For the couple looking to getaway

If you and your partner are looking for a peaceful space that will feel like you have it all to yourself, look no further than Whitney Beach on Longboat Key. This beautiful beach is nestled between several private beaches so it feels worlds away from the crowds while getting all the luxury of the white sand beaches known to the Bradenton Area. Imagine taking your loved one for a long walk, hand in hand and watching the sunset in secluded paradise. You can even take a seat on one of the many fallen trees, their white branches stretching across the sand to make a one-of-a-kind view just for you and the person you love.