Ferry service between Bradenton, Anna Maria continues after pier damage


The Gulf Islands Ferry launched in December 2023.
The Gulf Islands Ferry launched in December 2023.
Courtesy image
  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • Share

The Gulf Islands Ferry, which connects Bradenton with Anna Maria Island, will run a two-stop route, according to a statement from Manatee County government. Previously, there was a third stop at the Anna Maria Island City Pier, which was damaged during Hurricane Milton.

Manatee County is working with city of Anna Maria personnel to expedite the process of rebuilding the midsection of the Anna Maria Island City Pier, with a goal of restoring service there during 2025, according to a Jan. 22 statement from county officials.

Current stops on the Gulf Islands Ferry in the meantime include Bradenton Riverwalk Pier and the Historic Bridge Street Pier on Anna Maria Island. According to the Gulf Islands Ferry Facebook page, service on this route began in November after the hurricane.

“Our ongoing goal is to continue to enhance multi-modal transportation via the water ferry service for our residents and visitors to experience and enjoy, while studying every landing option from the downtown corridor to possible additional locations on Anna Maria Island,” Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Tourism Bureau, says in a Jan. 22 statement.

The Gulf Islands Ferry launched in January 2024 to help people access Bradenton and Anna Maria Island without sitting in vehicle traffic. The ride is about 40 minutes via two sustainably powered and ADA-accessible catamarans.

Ferry service runs Thursday to Sunday with seven trips a day. Due to cold weather, the Gulf Islands Ferry will not operate Jan. 23 or Jan. 24, according to its website. It will continue running Jan. 25. One-way tickets range from free (for children under three or seniors 80-plus) to $6 for an adult. Boats leave Riverwalk Pier from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Service at the Historic Bridge Street Pier begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 9 p.m.

 

author

Elizabeth King

Elizabeth is a business news reporter with the Business Observer, covering primarily Sarasota-Bradenton, in addition to other parts of the region. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, she previously covered hyperlocal news in Maryland for Patch for 12 years. Now she lives in Sarasota County.

Latest News

Sponsored Content