Florida's Gulf Islands Visitors Guide® 2009 - (Page 19) boat ramps BRADEN RIVER (concrete) South side of SR 64 and the Braden River. Map grid F-4. COQUINA (two ramps, concrete) East of Gulf Dr. at south end of Anna Maria Island. Map grid B-5. ELLENTON (concrete) 353 Shore Dr., Ellenton. Map grid E-4. FT. HAMER (concrete) Ft. Hamer Rd. and the Manatee River. Map grid H-4. HIGHLAND SHORES (concrete) Highland Shores and the Manatee River. Map grid E-4. JIGG’S LANDING (shell, sand) 6101 Braden River Rd., Bradenton. Map grid H-4. KINGFISH (concrete) North side of SR 64 and Sarasota Bay. Map grid C-4. LAKE MANATEE (canoe launch) 19001 SR 64 E., Bradenton. Map grid I-5. PALMETTO (concrete) Riverside Dr., west of the Green Bridge. Map grid D-4. RAY’S CANOE HIDEAWAY (canoe launch) 1289 Hagle Park Rd., Bradenton. Map grid G-4. WARNER BAYOU (concrete) 59th St. W. and Riverview Blvd., Bradenton. Map grid C-4. TAKING OFF IS EASY TO DO Discover the heart of Florida’s Gulf Islands from the water with a sojourn through the area’s inland and offshore waterways. The ease of navigating for new and experienced boaters makes for a fun and relaxing day of island hopping! Once you’re on the water, do as the locals do. Favorite spots to pull up to shore include Beer Can Island, located at the northern tip of Longboat Key. And if you don’t pack a lunch, it’s ok, many area restaurants are accessible by boat, MarVista, Mangrove Grill and Mattison’s to name a few. boat rentals BRADENTON BEACH MARINA 402 Church Ave, Bradenton Beach 941-778-2288 www.bradentonbeachmarina.com Pontoon boats and power boat rentals. Map grid B-5. CANNONS MARINA 6040 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key 941-383-1311, www.cannonsbythesea.com 16’–22’ Runabouts, 23’ Hurricane deck boats, Scout & Grady–White boats, both center console and bow riders’ style. Map grid C-6. COASTAL WATERSPORTS 1301 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach 941-778-4969 Boat rentals on the Gulf. Catamarans, WaveRunners® and kayaks. Map grid B-5. FLORIDA WATER SPORTS 12507 Cortez Rd., Cortez 941-798-3721 Rent jet-skis, kayaks and pontoon boats for the entire family. Enjoy an unforgettable day of affordable fun in the sun, on the water or in the air. Boater’s exams provided. Map grid B-5. Sky Diving SUNCOAST SKYDIVING 13211 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota 941-704-9292, www.suncoastskydiving.com We offer tandem skydiving, fun jumps, exhibition jumps and our specialty…beach jumps! You can skydive to Lido Key, Siesta Key, and Anna Maria Island Beaches, all of which regularly make the “Top 10 most beautiful beaches in the U.S.” list. $185 DZ Tandem, $310 Beach Tandem. Open weekends 9am to sunset. Map grid G-8. find a new pier group The essence of Old Florida can be summed up on the historic piers that dot Florida’s Gulf Islands. Rod and Reel Pier, Bridge Street Pier and Anna Maria City Pier are three landmarks that boast expansive views of the waterways, on-the-water dining, and fishing from sun up to sun down. ANNA MARIA CITY PIER 100 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria 941-779-1667 A hurricane in the ‘80s destroyed the pier, but it has since been restored and offers a bait shop and a restaurant. Locals gather here and will share “fish tales” or even offer the novice some help. Map grid B-4. BRADENTON MEMORIAL PIER Downtown Bradenton at the north end of 12th Street West. Map grid D-4. GREEN BRIDGE FISHING PIER 101 – 8th Ave. W., Palmetto 941-723-4570, www.mymanatee.org A portion of the demolished Green Bridge spanning the Manatee River between Palmetto and Bradenton was saved and converted into a pier. Map grid D-4. BRIDGE STREET PIER Bridge St. and Sarasota Bay on the Bay side This is a great spot to fish for grouper, flounder, mullet, bluefish and ladyfish. Rotten Ralph’s Restaurant is located on the first part of the pier. Pier is open 24 hours a day. Map grid B-5. JIGG’S LANDING Braden River Rd., Bradenton Enjoy freshwater fishing and boating on the pastoral Braden River. Fishing, tackle and bait shop. Map grid F-6. SUNSHINE SKYWAY STATE FISHING PIER Southside of Skyway Bridge/Tampa Bay, 7901 US 19 S., Palmetto www.skywaypiers.com Drive-on to fish the World’s Longest Fishing ROD AND REEL PIER 875 North Shore Dr., Anna Maria 941-778-1885 Splendidly scenic recreational fishing pier at the mouth of Tampa Bay. Regular visits by native wildlife including seabirds, dolphin and manatees. Map grid A-3. Pier. Bait and tackle available with rod rentals and sales. Open 24/7; we never close. Catch grouper, snapper, mackerel, sharks, tarpon, pompano and much more. Clean bathrooms. Handicap access. No fishing license required. Views of the bay and Skyway Bridge. Economical family fun. Map grid D-2. 19 http://www.suncoastskydiving.com http://www.bradentonbeachmarina.com http://www.cannonsbythesea.com http://www.mymanatee.org http://www.skywaypiers.com
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