Coquina Beach

White sand beach
2650 Gulf Dr S, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217, USA
259 miles from Panama City Beach, FL
Cleanliness
Water quality
Crowded
Impressions
Overall
Grades suggested by our reviewer
Water Quality

Beach amenities

  • WCPublic restrooms nearby
  • RestaurantsF&B places nearby
  • PlaygroundKids will have fun!
  • LifeguardsLifeguard on duty
  • SunbedsBeach chairs available
  • ParkingCar parking nearby
  • Changing roomsDressing rooms on the beach
  • Gear rentalsEquipment for rent
  • ShowerPublic showers available
  • Public grillsGrills or fire pits
  • Picnic tablesPicnic benches available
👉 Download a FREE PDF map

About this beach

Warnings and hazards

There are sharp rocks under the water – water shoes are recommended.

Bad traffic on busy days – come in the early morning or in the evening.

Coquina Beach is the longest beach on the southern end of Anna Maria Island and a kind of an old-style Florida beach. Lined by tall pine trees and featuring velvety white sand, it’s also one of the most picturesque beaches in the area.

It’s a fantastic spot to bring your family or friends for the whole day to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, shelling, wildlife watching, or playing volleyball on the shore.

Location and Access

Coquina Beach is located on the southern end of Anna Maria Island, Florida. It’s open from sunrise to midnight every day. Parking is plentiful and free, but be aware that the traffic on the way to the beach can be really bad and it’s better to go either in the early morning for the whole day or in the early evening for several hours.

Amenities and Rental Services

Coquina Beach offers all necessary tourist facilities including public restrooms, rinse showers, changing areas, water fountains, shaded picnic areas with tables and grills, food concessions, and a playground for kids. There is a paved path for strolling and biking and several volleyball courts.

You can also find cheap umbrella, chair, and boat rentals on site. If you get hungry, there is a beach café. In addition to that, the beach boasts a convenient location within a short drive to restaurants, bars, and shops. Just across the street, there is also a boat launch.

Sand and Water

This is a perfectly flat beach with fine white sand, which feels so good to one’s bare feet and is ideal for sunbathing, strolling, or playing Frisbee. There are some shells and sand dollars to find and kids are always fond of collecting them.

Swimming in the warm, crystal clear, and spectacularly beautiful water is enjoyable, but be careful since there may be sharp rocks at the bottom – it’s highly recommended to wear water shoes. There is a huge shallow area for kids to play. Overall, swimming is safe – the beach has professional lifeguards who watch swimmers from towers and patrol the area regularly.

Wildlife

This beach is favored by sea turtles – they come ashore and lay their eggs. Keep your eyes open, and you’re likely to see dolphins leaping out of the water. Coquina Beach is also a good spot for birdwatching – you can see numerous species including pelicans, osprey, egrets, herons, seagulls, ibises, and owls.

Driving Time

  • 1 hour 10 minutes from Tampa, FL
  • 1 hour 30 minutes from Lakeland, FL
  • 1 hour 40 minutes from Fort Myers, FL

Hotels and rentals

If you're considering staying for one or even a few nights, there are plenty of options available near the beach. Chose your preferred accomodation type and your favourite room provider:

Beaches nearby

Additionally, there's a number of beaches near Coquina Beach which you can visit:

Beach reviewed by:
Mariam
Photos from Google Maps
Crystal clear waterCoquina BeachTrees on Coquina BeachPalmsUmbrella on Coquina BeachSandcastleLifeguard station on Coquina BeachCoquina Beach South Entrance
Show rooms near this beach×

Visitor questions:

Question: Is Coquina Beach pet friendly?
Asked by Yenny Ordono over 1 year ago
Answer: No, it isn't. Sorry about that! There are no dog-friendly beaches on this barrier island. The nearest pet-friendly location is Fort De Soto Park Beach. Check it out on our website.
Question: Are dogs allowed on the beach?
Asked by Diana almost 3 years ago
Answer: Unfortunately, you can't take your little friend with you. Coquina Beach is not a dog-friendly place. On this barrier island, there are no dog-friendly beaches. The nearest pet-friendly location is Fort De Soto Park Beach. Check it out on our website.

Coquina Beach videos

Coquina Beach Anna Maria Island FL
A picturesque drone made video of the island
Coquina Beach Walking Tour
A lovely video of the beach

Weather conditions

Current weather at the beach and 3 day forecast

Best times to visit

Average temperature (°F)
Beach map and directions
The beach is located in Bradenton Beach, Florida 2650 Gulf Dr S, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217, USA (Open on Google Maps)
Drag and zoom the map to view lodging options near the beach.
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Coquina Beach reviews and photos
Reviewed on: August 31, 2019