Holmes Beach at a glance
Holmes Beach is a city in the middle of Anna Maria Island, between Anna Maria in the north and Bradenton Beach in the south. It was incorporated in 1950 and is named after the developer Jack Holmes. The city is not the same as its beach: Manatee Public Beach is the county beach inside the city.
If you want to spend time on the water as well, see the island's dolphin and sunset boat tours.
Manatee Public Beach
The county beach at 4000 State Road 64 and Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
Hours
The beach opens at sunrise and closes at 10 p.m., unless signs say otherwise.
Lifeguards
They work every day of the year. From Labor Day to Memorial Day the hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from Memorial Day to Labor Day they are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. These are holiday boundaries, not fixed dates in the calendar.
Facilities
Restrooms, showers, changing rooms, water fountains, volleyball, a parking lot and a trolley stop are available.
Rules
Alcohol, glass and pets are not allowed. Open fires are banned and you may grill only at the designated grills. No vehicles on the beach or on the footpaths.
Turtle season
The local sea turtle season runs from 1 May to 31 October. Keep lights off the beach after sunset and keep away from marked nests.
For a comparison with Coquina Beach, Cortez Beach and Bean Point, see the beaches guide. Manatee Public Beach is one of three island beaches with lifeguards.
Getting around Holmes Beach
The free Route 5 trolley runs along Gulf Drive every day of the year, from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The county schedules a trolley about every 20 minutes. After 9 p.m. it can be every 30 minutes, so plan your last ride with a little room. The trolley stops at Manatee Public Beach, so you can leave the car at your rental and go to the beach without parking. The trolley guide has the full picture.
Holmes Beach sits in the middle of the island, and the line runs the length of Gulf Drive between City Pier in the north and Coquina Beach in the south. From here you can reach the other two towns without a car.
Our pick: a clear-kayak tour from Holmes Beach
It starts by the Kingfish Boat Ramp in Holmes Beach and is short enough to fit around a beach day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Boat trips and tours from Holmes Beach
Dolphin watching, sunset cruises and other trips near the island's middle, with live prices and availability.
Shops and everyday needs
Holmes Beach is a working town as well as a beach destination. Shops and services keep their own hours, and those change by business and by season, so check before you make a special trip. For a beach day, bring water and sun protection, and pack drinks in cans or plastic, because glass is not allowed.
Where to stay in Holmes Beach
Holmes Beach has residential zones and vacation rental zones, and the zones distinguish monthly, weekly and daily rentals. Daily rental is not ruled out across the island, but the rules depend on the zone. Which ones apply depends on the exact street and on the certificate of the property.
Before you book, ask the host which zone the property is in and for the rental certificate. The where to stay guide compares the three towns by location, not by property name.
Plan the rest of your trip
The neighbours of Holmes Beach.
Holmes Beach: frequently asked questions
What is Manatee Public Beach?
It is the county beach in Holmes Beach, at 4000 State Road 64 and Gulf Drive. It has lifeguards every day of the year, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, volleyball, a parking lot and a trolley stop.
What are the opening hours of Manatee Public Beach?
From sunrise to 10 p.m., unless signs say otherwise. Lifeguards work from 9 a.m., until 5 p.m. between Labor Day and Memorial Day and until 7 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Is Holmes Beach the same as Anna Maria Island?
No. Holmes Beach is one of three cities on the island, between Anna Maria in the north and Bradenton Beach in the south.
Can I rent a place by the day in Holmes Beach?
It depends on the zone. The city's zones distinguish monthly, weekly and daily rentals, so ask the host for the zone and the rental certificate.
Do I need a car in Holmes Beach?
Not necessarily. The free trolley runs along Gulf Drive and stops at Manatee Public Beach. You still need a way to reach the island from the airport.
What are the rules at Manatee Public Beach?
Alcohol, glass and pets are not allowed. Open fires are banned and you may grill only at the designated grills. No vehicles on the beach or on the footpaths. The local sea turtle season runs from 1 May to 31 October.