BRADENTON BEACH
Where
Bradenton Beach is home to Cortez Beach, an undeveloped beach, and Coquina Beach, sited at 2651 Gulf Dr., Bradenton Beach 34217, FL.
Vibe
Coquina Beach is a white-sand wonder with a flip-flop personality and convenient amenities. Free parking, vigilant lifeguards, and tranquil surf make Coquina Beach a favorite with families – as well as with beachgoers that love epic sunsets and clear water. Nestled on Anna Maria Island, a seven-mile-long barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Coquina Beach feels like old Florida in the best possible way, relaxed and welcoming.
See, feel
Promising 22 acres of soft, white sand that’s cool to the toes; impossibly clear, turquoise waters; and plenty of room to plant your beach umbrella – plus a tiki bar serving up frozen concoctions – Coquina Beach has it all. A muti-use trail parallels the beach, shaded by towering trees, replete with palms and dotted with picnic tables. It’s never overcrowded, and there are no high rises to mar the views. While the water is usually calm, due to winds, tides and offshore systems conditions can be rougher.
On or near the beach
Coquina Beach invites you to bask in the sunshine; play, swim or snorkel in the serene waters; challenge your buddies to a game of beach volleyball; stroll the beachside trail; or kick back with a picnic under the trees. Just steps from the ocean, the Coquina Beach Café is happy to fuel the fun, serving up everything from classic breakfasts to fish tacos to ice cream cones. Its Tiki Bar is the ideal place to ooh and aah over the sunset while you sip on an adult beverage.
Accessibility
The Coquina Beach Café offers free-to-use beach wheelchairs, first come, first served.
Facilities
Coquina Beach features a full-service concession stand (including chair and umbrella rentals), ample parking, barbecue pits, a trolley stop, bike racks, picnic facilities, pavilions, a playground, beach volleyball, restrooms, showers, changing cabanas, and lifeguards. Recreation includes bicycle trails, hiking and nature trails, snorkeling, and swimming.
Lifeguards
Lifeguards are on duty 365 days a year at Coquina Beach, from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. Labor Day through Memorial Day and 9 a.m. through 7 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Parking
Coquina Beach delivers ample, free parking, with its lot closing at midnight. In addition, free trolleys arrive every 20 minutes to transport visitors to locations all across Anna Maria Island. The trolleys operate from 6 a.m. until 10:30 p.m., seven days a week. If you prefer to pedal, you’ll find built in bike racks at the beach.