5 Things To Do During Winter Family Vacations To Anna Maria Island

Do cold, dark winters get you down in the dumps?

You’re not alone. About 10 to 20 percent of people suffer from some sort of seasonal depression. If you’re one of them, a winter family vacations to sunny Florida might be just what the doctor ordered.

Anna Maria Island off of Florida’s Gulf Coast offers average temperatures of 80 degrees year round and more than 300 days of sunshine. If you’re ready to jet off, here are 5 tips to have the perfect vacation.

Play on the Beach

Florida’s gulf coast is home to some of the country’s most beautiful white sand beaches. And, in the winter time, the sand is always cool enough to walk on in bare feet.

So grab a football, a frisbee, or a volleyball and head to the beach for an afternoon of family fun. Don’t forget to bring along a chair and a good book for when you’re ready to take it easy.

Take the Kids Shelling

Thanks to the Gulf stream, the beaches on Florida’s west coast are home to some of the best shell collections in the Northern Hemisphere. Your kids will love searching for shells during Anna Maria’s low tide.

At the end of the day, you can look through your findings and try to identify them using a guide from a local shop. This makes the activity fun and educational!

Enjoy the Wildlife

Anna Maria Island is home to many unique forms of wildlife. These include dolphins, pelicans, and sea turtles. Spend some time watching the waves to see if you can spot some dolphins playing in the splash. If you want a more up close and personal view, consider taking a dolphin watching cruise out to sea.

Many folks also enjoy fishing on Anna Maria Island. The piers can be a great place to catch a trout or grouper, so you might even get some dinner!

Rent a Bicycle

Florida’s flat landscape makes it the perfect place to ride a bike on a warm winter day. On Anna Maria Island, you can ride your bike up and down the streets of the town to visit some fun shops and restaurants. Or, you can venture off the beaten path to take in the view of pure nature.

Watch the Sunset

We all know that the sun rises in the east. For this reason, folks on the East Coast of the United States usually have to wake up at dawn to see the sun over the water.

But on the west coast of Florida, you can actually enjoy sunsets over the ocean. During the winter, the sun usually sets between 5:30 and 7:30 PM on Anna Maria Island. This can be the perfect way to end a long day of fun island adventures!

Plan Your Winter Family Vacations Today

With these tips in hand, you’ll be on your way to planning the perfect winter family vacations on Anna Maria Island.

If you’re ready to plan your trip to Anna Maria, contact us. We’ll help you book the perfect property for a dream vacation.