2650 Gulf Dr S, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217, USA 
259 miles from Panama City Beach, FL
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:
- Nearby rentals from VRBO.
- Nearby rooms and properties from Booking.com.
Beaches nearby
Additionally, there's a number of beaches near Coquina Beach which you can visit:
- Cortez Beach (1 mile)
- Bradenton Beach (2 miles)
- Manatee Public Beach (3 miles)
- Palmetto Avenue Beach (6 miles)
- Bean Point Beach (7 miles)
Anna Maria, 34216, United States
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1 mi away