Gulf Islands Ferry Adds Third Stop at Coquina Beach

MANATEE COUNTY — This Labor Day Holiday weekend, the sugar-white sands and gentle turquoise surf of Anna Maria Island are easier to reach than ever. Manatee County is expanding the popular Gulf Islands Ferry service to include a third stop at Coquina Beach, enhancing multimodal transportation options in the Bradenton Area.

This additional stop further affirms the Bradenton Area’s commitment to its residents and visitors with safe, scenic, and convenient car-free alternative travel on Florida’s West Coast.

Round-trip tickets from Historic Bridge Street Pier to Coquina Beach are $9 for adults; $7 for seniors, military, and children. The fare remains free for seniors aged 80 and older and children under the age of 4.

“As we’ve seen a vehicle reduction with the two-stop service between the Bradenton Riverwalk Pier and Historic Bridge Street Pier, this additional stop will positively impact the roadways running the seven miles of paradise on Anna Maria Island,” said Tal Siddique, chairperson of the Board of County Commissioners. “It’s another large step forward in preserving mobility on Anna Maria Island for those visiting for the first time, long-time repeat visitors, and our residents.”

Funded by the tourist development tax, the Gulf Islands Ferry now features three vessels servicing three stops, connecting downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria Island via the Manatee River and intercoastal waterways.

More than 55,000 passengers utilized the Ferry service in 2025, helping decrease vehicle traffic by nearly 23,000 cars, furthering the Bradenton Area’s commitment to preserve and protect the natural beauty of the destination for future generations through the Bradenton Area’s ‘Love It Like a Local’ initiative.

For more information and the full schedule, visit www.gulfislandsferry.com or the Bradenton Area Tourism Bureau website.