Rod and Reel Pier and Anna Maria City Pier in 2026
Anna Maria Island has three piers that visitors ask about: the Anna Maria City Pier, the Rod and Reel Pier and the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach. After the 2024 hurricanes, only the last one is a place you can plan around. The first two are being rebuilt or are still closed, and dates are targets and not promises.
If the closed piers change your plans, there are good alternatives on the water. Look at fishing charters and license rules for a boat day, or book a sunset boat tour for the evening light.
Where each pier stands
Status in autumn 2026.
| Pier | Status in autumn 2026 | Fishing |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Maria City Pier | New access walkway finished, work continues on the pier head. Goal is November, with the end of 2026 as the wider target. | Do not plan on it |
| Rod and Reel Pier | Original pier destroyed in 2024, no fixed rebuild date | Do not plan on it |
| Bridge Street Pier, Bradenton Beach | Fishing pier with pavilion, restrooms and day dock | Yes, with a valid license. Check hours and any fee. |
For most visitors, the Bridge Street Pier is the pier to plan around. Treat any reopening date for the other two as a target, and check the current status shortly before you travel.
Our pick: a boat trip while the piers recover
With the piers still being rebuilt, a boat trip is a reliable way to be on the water around the island.
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 activities near the piers
Sunset cruises, fishing charters and other water trips around the island, with live prices and availability.
Anna Maria City Pier
Built in 1911 and rebuilt after storms.
The Anna Maria City Pier dates from 1911. Hurricane Irma damaged it in 2017, and the 2024 hurricanes damaged it again. Reconstruction has been under way since November 2025, and no firm opening date has been set. The new access walkway is finished. Work remains on the buildings at the pier head, including the restrooms.
The goal is November 2026, with the end of the year as the wider target. Treat both as targets until the gates open. The buildings at the pier head will be used differently than before, so do not plan on the old exhibit being back.
One thing can mislead: the trolley still has a stop called City Pier. That name does not mean the pier is open. The stop is simply one end of the Route 5 run along Gulf Drive. Read more about the island trolley.
Rod and Reel Pier
Destroyed in 2024 and not yet rebuilt.
Hurricane Milton destroyed the Rod and Reel Pier in 2024. Rebuilding is intended, but the original pier remains closed in autumn 2026 and has no fixed rebuild date. A restaurant on shore that has reopened is a different thing from the pier itself. It does not mean you can walk out over the water.
Do not use old photos, fees or hours as a guide. What applied before the storms no longer applies.
Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach
The pier that works today.
The Bridge Street Pier is the preserved island section of the old wooden bridge. It is a fishing pier, with public restrooms, a sales and supply area, the shaded Richard P. Suhre Pavilion and a floating day dock. Boats can tie up at the day dock for a short stay, depending on availability, and a dock space cannot be reserved.
A passenger ferry stops at this pier, Thursday to Sunday. The ferry is a separate paid service, and it is not the free island trolley. Check the pier hours and any fishing fee before you go. The Bradenton Beach page covers Bridge Street and the town around it.
Fishing from the piers
License first, then the pier.
Visitors aged 16 and over need a Florida saltwater license. For nonresidents it costs $17 for 3 days, $30 for 7 days or $47 for a year in 2026. A pier that holds a valid saltwater pier license can cover its anglers, but not every pier holds one, so ask before you cast. All the details are on the fishing page.
Anna Maria Island piers: frequently asked questions
Is the Anna Maria City Pier open?
Not yet. The new access walkway is finished and work on the pier head continues. The goal is November 2026, with the end of the year as the wider target. Treat both as targets and check the current status before you plan around it.
Is the Rod and Reel Pier open?
No. The original pier was destroyed in 2024 and has no fixed rebuild date. A restaurant on shore reopening does not mean the pier is back.
Where can I fish from a pier right now?
The Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach is the fishing pier to plan around. You need a Florida saltwater license unless the pier holds a valid pier license. Check hours and any fee before you go.
Does the trolley stop at the City Pier?
Route 5 has a stop called City Pier at one end of its run along Gulf Drive. The stop name does not mean the pier is open.
Can I take the ferry to the Bridge Street Pier?
A passenger ferry stops at the pier, Thursday to Sunday. It is a paid service and separate from the free trolley.
Do children need a fishing license on a pier?
Visitors under 16 are exempt from the Florida saltwater license rule. From age 16 you need your own license or a valid pier license. See the fishing page.