A trip to Anna Maria Island is a guarantee for some amazing sights. You’ll have a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico, and you can explore the area’s stunning nature all around you. One of the best features of Anna Maria Island is its wildlife, so animal lovers will truly thrive here. While you’re staying in one of our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals, you’re bound to see some beautiful animals in their natural habitats. Here is your complete guide to AMI wildlife, as well as the best tours to take to see them.
Land Animals
Many people love visiting Anna Maria Island for the wonderful bird watching opportunities. Common and rare birds alike flock to the shores of AMI. Some of the species you’ll find are native to the area, but Anna Maria Island is also home to several species that migrate to the area in the wintertime.
Some of the most common bird species you’ll spot include pelicans, hawks, cranes, osprey, egrets, storks, and more. It’s also fairly typical to see beach nesters like Black Skimmers, American oystercatchers, herons, spoonbills, and others.
Especially if you plan to visit Anna Maria Island in the summertime, you’ll be able to see one of the island’s most majestic creatures: the sea turtle. Sea turtle nesting season runs from of May through October and brings hundreds of loggerhead sea turtles to the Shores to build the nests for their babies. If you visit in November, you may even be lucky enough to see the baby sea turtles making their way back to the water!
If you do happen upon a sea turtle nest, be sure to leave it alone and observe from far. If you are staying in an Anna Maria Island beachfront rental, turn off any outside lights at nighttime, as the bright light can distract the young turtles and lead them astray on their path back to the Gulf.
Marine Animals
Of course, with so much beautiful water around, Anna Maria Island is also home to several incredible marine species. Perhaps the most sought-after creature near Anna Maria Island is the dolphin. These playful marine animals are the subject of many tours and activities throughout the area, and there’s just nothing like seeing a pod of dolphins plays in their natural habitat.
You may also spot manatees while you’re observing Anna Maria Island wildlife. Manatees aren’t here in huge numbers, so they may be a bit hard to spot, but it’s a phenomenal sight if you do get to see them. If you don’t find any in the wild, you can visit the Mote Marine Aquarium in Sarasota or the South Florida Museum in Bradenton to get up close and personal with these fun animals.
Plan Your Next Trip
Nature and animal lovers are sure to enjoy a getaway to Anna Maria Island. Contact us today to learn more about Anna Maria Island rentals!
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Though you’re welcome to try to spot these wonderful creatures on your own, you might have better luck by embarking on a tour. There are several Anna Maria Island kayak tours throughout the area that will put you with an experienced guide and take you through the area’s best spots for seeing birds, turtles, and other species.
Additionally, Anna Maria Island dolphin tours are a great option to spend the day with your loved ones. Dolphin tours typically last 1-2 hours and will put you with a knowledgeable captain who knows all the best places to spot dolphins. They will also teach you about Anna Maria Island’s history and landscape for a complete lesson on all things AMI.
