Anna Maria Islands charm lies in its congenial air of unhurried tropical living. The three small cities on the Island have their own character -- from Anna Maria in the north, Holmes Beach in the center to Bradenton Beach in the south. All are populated with friendly, easy-going inhabitants. Narrow winding streets are framed with lush tropical growth. Anglers of all ages fish from rustic, yet sturdy piers. Magnificent white sand beaches overlook the enchanting Gulf of Mexico. Jet skis skim over the waves while sailboats drift along the coast. Families picnic in bay or Gulf-front parks. Sea oats sway gently in the soft Gulf breeze. Bicyclists pedal around the Island, passing a mixture of contemporary and historic buildings.

The Island of Anna Maria, Manatee County, Florida, is located 40 miles south of Tampa and seven miles west of Bradenton. It can be accessed by SR 64, over the Manatee Avenue Bridge; SR 684 over the Cortez Bridge or a third bridge offers access from Longboat Key to the Island.

Stretching seven and one-half miles from Tampa Bay south to Longboat Key Pass. Anna Maria Island is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico on the west, Tampa Bay and Anna Maria Sound on the east and Sarasota Bay to the south.

The Island has four distinctive seasons. In mid-October, the summer Caribbean trade winds are blocked by the first northern cold front. Temperatures drop to the 70s overnight, as does the humidity. Not far from the Dec. 22 winter solstice, strong cold fronts reach Southwest Florida. The days are mostly warm and sunny; nights call for sweaters and light jackets.

By spring, the dry, cloudless days reach temperatures in the 70s and 80s with cool, crisp evenings. Afternoons are punctuated by "sea breezes" from the Gulf which dwindle at sunset. The trade winds typically influence the climate by mid-May, daytime temperatures up around the 90 degree mark. Steady breezes and gentle rainstorms lend to comfortable and refreshing evenings. Another summer weather plus is watching an Anna Maria Island sunset with its colorful afterglow along the Gulf horizon. The annual average temperature is 74.8 degrees Fahrenheit. The annual average rainfall is 55.67 inches.