All ages • Direct: 30 Minutes • One Stop: 110 Minutes • Discounted Round Trip Tickets!
Explore Florida’s Gulf Coast from the water with a relaxing pontoon ferry ride between Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria Island. Enjoy wildlife sightings, coastal views, and a seamless outdoor adventure without traffic or parking hassles.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
30 minutes one way
Fitness Level
No special fitness required; suitable for all ages and mobility levels.
Wildlife
History
Bradenton Beach area has a rich fishing heritage and was one of the earliest settled communities on Anna Maria Island, with piers historically used for oyster harvesting and maritime trade.
Conservation
The ferry operators follow strict environmental practices to minimize noise and water pollution, helping protect local marine habitats and wildlife.
Gulf Islands Ferry
All ages • Direct: 30 Minutes • One Stop: 110 Minutes • Discounted Round Trip Tickets!
Gulf Islands Ferry is a water taxi and ferry service based in Bradenton, Florida, providing open-air pontoon transportation between Bradenton Riverwalk Pier, Bridge Street Pier, and Anna Maria Island City Pier. The company operates vessels designed to carry up to 49 passengers, offering an alternative to driving that helps riders avoid traffic and parking hassles.
Trips include one-way and return routes connecting the three piers, with open-air pontoon vessels that have no plastic windows so passengers feel the breeze and should dress for the weather. Reservations are recommended for priority boarding; travelers are advised to expect the possibility of getting wet on exposed decks and to prepare accordingly.
Services emphasize straightforward, scenic transit across local waterways. Schedules and specific trip names reflect connections between Bradenton Riverwalk Pier, Bridge Street Pier, and Anna Maria Island City Pier, with multiple route pairings available for convenience. The operator’s straightforward product summaries make it easy to choose the right crossing for a visit to Anna Maria Island, a day on the bay, or a short water taxi hop within Bradenton.
Gulf Islands Ferry’s offering focuses on accessible, memorable waterborne travel in the Bradenton area. Clear route descriptions, vessel capacity details, and practical rider guidance help set expectations before boarding. By highlighting pier-to-pier connections and open-air pontoon experiences, Gulf Islands Ferry provides a simple, scenic option for moving between key waterfront points in and around Bradenton.
Customers should check current schedules and reservation policies before travel to confirm times and boarding procedures and weather advisories.
Passenger Capacity
49 per vessel
Open-air pontoon seating limit
Vessel Type
Open-air pontoon
Feel the breeze; no plastic windows
Routes Served
Bradenton ↔ Bridge Street ↔ Anna Maria
Pier-to-pier water taxi routes
Location
Bradenton, Florida
Operates in local waterways
Book a crossing between Bradenton Riverwalk Pier, Bridge Street Pier, and Anna Maria Island City Pier — dress for the weather and enjoy a scenic water taxi ride.
Dress for the weather
Florida’s coastal climate varies; bring sun protection in summer and light layers for cooler months.
Arrive early for boarding
Punctual arrival ensures you get a good spot on the open-air deck and avoid last-minute rush.
Bring binoculars
Enhance your chance to spot dolphins and shorebirds along the route with a pair of binoculars.
Secure all belongings
Open-air decks mean wind can catch loose items; use bags with zippers or latches.
Sun hat
Provides shade and UV protection during sunny daytime crossings.
summer
Light jacket
Keeps you comfortable during cooler breezy mornings or evenings.
winter
Sunglasses
Protects eyes from glare off the water for better visibility and comfort.
Binoculars
Useful for spotting distant wildlife and coastal features on the route.