Florida's Gulf Islands Visitors Guide® 2009 - (Page 17) beaches SHELLS, SHARK TEETH AND SEA TURTLES More than 150 sea turtle nests were recorded on Anna Maria Island last year. Take care not to harass mother turtles, their nests or hatchlings. For an up-close look, guided tours are available in July. All of our area beaches are awash in colorful shells, but Beer Can Island is a special favorite of locals, who arrive in early mornings and at low tide to hunt for treasures. Shark teeth finds are common on Coquina and Cortez Beaches, but don’t worry, these teeth are fossilized remains of sharks long gone from area waters. DUNES & SEA OATS These natural barriers certainly inspire beach-combing. But they are also an intrinsic part of the beach ecology. For their sake, and to protect the beaches we all love so much, avoid walking on the dunes or amid the sea oats and stick to the boardwalks and marked paths. ANNA MARIA BAYFRONT PARK ANNA MARIA BEACH BEER CAN ISLAND (GREER ISLAND) Location: 316 N. Bay Blvd. in Anna Maria Parking/Fees: Free Parking Hours: 6am – 10pm Facilities: Restrooms, showers, picnic pavilions with grills, and playground. Location: West ends of streets from White Ave. north to Bean Point in Anna Maria Parking/Fees: Free parking lot at Spring Avenue and Gulf Drive; no parking allowed on residential side streets that end at the beach. Hours: Sunrise to Sunset Facilities: None Location: Located at the northern tip of Longboat Key, accessible by walking north from the street end of North Shore Road off of Gulf of Mexico Drive Parking/Fees: Free Parking Hours: Dawn – 10pm Facilities: None COQUINA BEACH CORTEZ BEACH HOLMES BEACH Location: Southern end of Anna Maria Island, one mile south of 5th Street N. in the City of Bradenton Beach Parking/Fees: Free Parking Hours: 6am – 9pm Facilities: Concessions, BBQ pits, picnic facilities, boat ramp, paved trail, playground, restrooms, showers and lifeguards Location: Between 5th St. and 13th St. off Gulf Dr. in the City of Bradenton Beach Parking/Fees: Free Parking, Public transportation drop-off/pick-up available Hours: 7am – 10pm Facilities: Paved Trail. Location: Located off Gulf Drive from Beach Ave. to 27th St. in Holmes Beach Parking/Fees: Free Parking, Public transportation drop-off/pick-up available Hours: Sunrise to Sunset Facilities: Boat Ramp LONGBOAT KEY BEACHES MANATEE COUNTY BEACH PALMA SOLA CAUSEWAY Location: Beach access points on Longboat Key Parking/Fees: Free street parking Hours: 5am – 11pm Facilities: None Location: At the end of Manatee Ave. W. in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island Parking/Fees: Free Parking Hours: 7am – Sunset Facilities: Concessions, beach shop, chair and umbrella rentals, picnic area, grills, restrooms, showers, playground and lifeguards Location: 8500 Manatee Ave. W., which links Bradenton and Anna Maria Island Parking/Fees: Free Parking Hours: Sunrise to Sunset Facilities: Covered pavilions, picnic area, grills and restrooms 17
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