If it’s laid back, “Old Florida” charm you’re looking for on your next vacation, you’ll find plenty to cater to your needs when choosing among many things to do in Holmes Beach, FL.
From Anna Maria Island shopping to Holmes Beach restaurants, you’ll discover so much to do and see when you visit this community in the center of Ana Maria Island. In addition to the beach and other water activities such as paddleboarding and jet skiing, you can secure Anna Maria Island fishing charters, where you’re guaranteed to bring back some local catches.
You can submerge yourself into the Old Florida feel when choosing from one of many Holmes Beach vacation rentals. These are mainly one- to four-plus-bedroom cottages or homes with astonishing ocean views and beaches. A big plus: since Holmes Beach is a relatively small community, you’ll never be too far from what you want to do to get the most out of your Anna Maria Island vacation.
Relax on Manatee Public Beach
There is no small reason why Manatee Public Beach is the most visited of Anna Maria Island beaches.
From volleyball nets on the sand to a small café serving drinks and snacks, Manatee Public Beach has enough to keep the entire family entertained and energized for the whole day. Bring your food to cook, use the grills and picnic tables, roam through a gift shop; relax on benches, and take in the expansive view.
Don’t like sitting in a wet bathing suit on the ride back to your rental? Manatee Public Beach has changing cabanas, so you don’t have to!
Book a Charter and Catch Local Fish
While you can spend so much time in Holmes Beach near the water, there’s plenty to do on and on the water. One of those on-the-water things to do in Holmes Beach, FL, is to get a charter and go deep-sea fishing. Deep-sea fishing on Anna Maria Island might be one of the best fishing experiences you’ll ever have.
There are several charting companies on Anna Maria Island; most welcome those both new and experienced at fishing. They also offer inshore or nearshore and offshore excursions, so if you’re not experienced or uncomfortable going into deep waters, you could opt to spend your day fishing closer to shore. If you don’t want to keep what you catch, no worries; some excursions are catch and release only.
Sample Island Flavors at These Awesome Restaurants
After an exciting day on the beach or adventures on the water, you’re sure to work up an appetite. One thing is for sure; you’ll never lack options regarding quality restaurants in Holmes Beach. The restaurants in the area are some of the best restaurants in Anna Maria Island, and there are plenty of different cuisines to choose from.
These are just a few of the best options that you might consider the next time you visit:
The Feast Restaurant
This casual restaurant has been called the “best gourmet restaurant” on Anna Maria Island and has been operating since 2009.
The dinner menu features such items as coconut shrimp and grouper bites appetizers; six salad selections including house, Greek, tropicale, and salmon; a fish and chips platter; filet mignon, crab-stuffed shrimp, and Moroccan vegetable tagine; and several pasta dishes such as pesto salmon, chicken parmesan, and shrimp and crab alfredo.
Mouthwatering gourmet pizzas include margarita (tomatoes, Buffalo mozzarella, and olive oil), Pretty Tasty (white pizza with spinach, roasted red peppers, and button mushrooms), and Mighty Meaty (bacon, pepperoni, prosciutto, capicola, and Italian sausage).
The Feast Restaurant is open every day from 11:30 a.m. – to 9 p.m. The address is 5406 Marina Drive.
Hurricane Hank’s
Another local favorite, Hurricane Hank’s, is laid-back and casual, with full lunch and dinner menus and a bar open late every night.
Recently updated, the menus list such delicious options as fish tacos, Hurricane wings, and salads. You might choose Hank’s Meatloaf Grilled Cheese, Mojo chicken, a steak sandwich, or Ybor Cuban for lunch. Dinner entrees include shrimp and scallops risotto, maple & orange salmon, crab-stuffed grouper, filet mignon, Bar-B-Q ribs, and Hurricane meatloaf.
The kitchen is open until 9 p.m. Sunday – Thursday and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The bar serves until 11 p.m. every night. You can order craft beers, cocktails, wine, and more there.
You’ll find Hurricane Hank’s at 5346 Gulf Drive.
Minnie’s Beach Café
Great food, great prices, and friendly staff and atmosphere are to be found at Minnie’s Beach Café; some compare it to the sort of atmosphere portrayed on the 1980s sitcom “Cheers.”
Minnie’s has daily specials, and most dishes are made from scratch. You’ll find waffles, egg sandwiches, pancakes, omelets, biscuits n’ gravy, and lots of egg combos, among breakfast items. Lunch offerings include numerous sandwich choices, such as grilled cheese, egg salad, grilled corned beef, a monster club, patty melt, grilled chicken breast, or steak hoagie. You can also enjoy hot platters (open-faced turkey, half-pound hamburger steak, country fried steak, or chicken nuggets and fries).
Closed Mondays, Minnie’s operates 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and until 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Breakfast is served until noon. The cute café is found at 5360 Gulf Drive.
Shop In These Popular Holmes Beach Stores
The island is known for many things, and Anna Maria Island shopping is high on the list. No matter which Holmes Beach rentals you choose, you’ll find yourself close to many shops and boutiques you’ll love to poke around in.
Here are a few you won’t want to miss:
Sand Dollar Gift Shop
You’ll find true one-of-a-kind, locally crafted souvenirs from clothing to jewelry at the Sand Dollar Gift Shop. This charming shop, which opened in 1960, has many beach-themed items, such as décor, knick-knacks, beaded purses, shell wind chimes, hand towels, pottery, and so much more.
The Sand Dollar is open Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., and Sundays 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. It’s located on Marina Drive in Holmes Beach.
Island Bazaar
Plenty of souvenirs are to be found at Island Bazaar on East Bay Drive, open every day from 9 a.m. – to 9 p.m. If you need something for the beach, you’ll find swimsuits, beach towels, chairs, umbrellas—almost anything you want for a day in the sand and sun. How about an AMI t-shirt or other gift as a vacation memory? You’ll find many of those items here, too.
Island Bazaar is a family-operated business and has been serving the area since 1987.
Irene’s Resort Wear
Beach clothing and accessories are the specialties at Irene’s. Here, you can buy beach dresses, beach bags, flip flops, cover-ups, and even trendy tops and bottoms for a night out. There are also beach-themed bracelets and necklaces, handbags, and shoes.
Shop Irene’s every day except Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sun & Surf Lifestyle Apparel
Head to 5418 Marina Drive to Sun & Surf Lifestyle Apparel and browse through much more than clothing. It’s not known as “The Store with the Birds” for nothing! Besides apparel and swimwear, you’ll find shoes, beach accessories, hats, mugs, jewelry, stuffed animals, and beach supplies like suntan lotion and shades.
Oh, and there are parrots. The owners’ love of these birds is evident, as you’ll find some chatty parrots at home here. This makes for a fun and unforgettable shopping experience.
The store is open from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. every day and until 5 p.m. on Sundays.
If you’re ready to see the beauty of Holmes Beach for yourself, book your stay in one of our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals today!
