Anna Maria Island winning an award for having family friendly beaches is about as surprising as sand on the seashore – which is to say, it's not surprising at all! After all, it’s budget-friendly, beautiful and boasts a boatload of soft, white-sand beaches with emerald hued waters – as well as a trolley and sports like sailing, kayaking and biking.

Parents Magazine just named the tiny island paradise, nestled at the southern mouth of Tampa Bay, as one of the top 10 best beaches for families. Check out what the article says!

Never been to Anna Maria Island? That’s as sad as a fish without fins, because it’s lovely. Check out this short video for a glimpse at one of my fav getaways.