1. Grab a Free Travel Guide – Trust Us.

The ultimate first step in your planning process – make sure you’ve got the Bradenton Gulf Islands Travel Guide in hand or bookmarked. It gives a look at the area from a local perspective that both first-timers and frequent visitors will appreciate. It’s also a great way to decide where exactly to stay given the kinds of experiences you want to have.

You can scope out our different beaches to find the one that’s best for your crew. See all the types of adventures our various nature parks and preserves offer. Discover hot spots for shopping, cool attractions for all ages, must-try restaurants for fresh and sustainable fare, and the list goes on. Download the digital guide to start exploring now, or request a physical copy by mail, if that’s more your thing.

2. Fly SRQ and Save Precious Time.

Plan on flying here? You’ve certainly got airport options, but the most convenient of them has to be the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. Not too big, not too small – it’s a quick and easy airport to navigate, yet still offers tons of flights and amenities. In fact, it’s opening a new five-gate terminal in January 2025 that will bring its nonstop flight service up to 67 destinations via 11 popular airlines. Don’t worry though – even with the expansion – ticketing, baggage claim, and parking will still be just a short walk from the main concourse. And the airport itself is only about 15 miles max from Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key (even closer to mainland Bradenton), so you’ll be off and ready to enjoy the best parts of vacation in no time. 

3. Do Your Research…the Fun Kind!

After you’ve gotten a feel for our little slice of paradise and made your travel arrangements, it’s time to dive deeper into our wealth of trip inspiration. Here, you can uncover fascinating stories about our beloved communities and businesses, hear firsthand from the locals who make this place so special, and find endless ideas and itineraries for any interest. It’s all the behind-the-scenes scoop you could dream of, with new articles getting added each month. Do some casual reading and viewing whenever you need some extra sunshine in your life, and take notes of places or events you want to check out while visiting.