Anna Maria Island Boat Tour: Dolphins & Cortez Village

Eight stops from Cortez Bridge to Coquina Beach, all in the hour the sun turns the Gulf purple.

A two-hour sunset boat tour around Anna Maria Island departs from Sarasota and navigates eight named stops—Leffis Key Preserve, Jewfish Key, Longboat Key Canal, Sarasota Bay, Bradenton Beach City Pier, Cortez Fishing Village, Cortez Bridge and Coquina Beach—with a live guide in English or Spanish. The boat carries a restroom, cooler with bottled water and soda, and a bow bimini for sun protection. Your captain shares the history of each stop, from the restored mangroves at Leffis Key to the working docks of Cortez, while you watch for dolphins, manatees and seabirds in the surrounding waters.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset boat tour around Anna Maria Island

• Cruise around Leffis Key Preserve
• Explore Jewfish Key waters
• Enjoy Longboat Key Canal Cruise
• Tour Sarasota Bay and spot wildlife
• Pass Bradenton Beach City Pier
• Visit historic Cortez Fishing Village
• Navigate under Cortez Bridge
• Glide along Coquina Beach shoreline
• Pass under Longboat Pass Bridge

The Experience

The tour leaves from the Sarasota area and moves through eight distinct stops, each one a different angle on the coast. You start around Leffis Key Preserve in Bradenton Beach, where mangroves and tidal wetlands shelter fish and birds, then cruise past Jewfish Key—a private island ringed by seagrass beds where dolphins and manatees often surface. The boat then enters the canals of Longboat Key, where you'll pass waterfront mansions and tropical landscaping before opening into Sarasota Bay itself, where the downtown skyline appears across the water.

The second half of the route takes you past the Bradenton Beach City Pier, a historic fishing landmark where your captain explains its role in the area's maritime past, then into the Cortez Fishing Village—one of Florida's oldest working fishing communities. You'll see traditional fishing boats and the docks where the daily catch comes in. The Cortez Bridge marks the gateway between the Gulf and Sarasota Bay, and the tour finishes around Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island, where white sand and Australian pines line the shore. Throughout, keep watch for dolphins, manatees, pelicans and ospreys.

The boat itself is built for comfort on the water: a spacious restroom on board, a large bow bimini to shield you from the sun, and a dive ladder for easy boarding and exit. Bottled water and soda are provided, along with a cooler to keep them cold. The guide speaks English and Spanish and shares the history and ecology of each stop as you move through the waters. The whole tour runs two hours, timed to catch the sunset over the Gulf.

What’s included

• Private transportation.
• bottled water and soda.
• a cooler to keep drinks cold.
• restroom on board.
• a large bow bimini for sun protection.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Anna Maria Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the full route—eight named stops from Cortez to Coquina Beach—with a guide who knows the history and ecology of each one. The private boat and two-hour timing mean you catch the sunset without rushing or sharing the experience with strangers.

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Top questions

What wildlife might I see on the sunset tour around Anna Maria Island?

Dolphins, manatees, pelicans and ospreys are common throughout the route. The mangroves at Leffis Key Preserve and the seagrass beds around Jewfish Key are particularly good spots for spotting marine life, and the working docks of Cortez often draw pelicans and other seabirds.

Does the boat have shade and a restroom?

Yes. The boat has a large bow bimini that provides sun protection, and a spacious restroom on board so you don't have to wait until the tour ends.

What is the Cortez Fishing Village, and why is it on the tour?

Cortez is one of Florida's oldest working fishing communities, still active today with traditional fishing boats and docks where fishermen bring in their daily catch. Your captain shares its maritime history as you cruise past the waterfront, giving you a glimpse into the day-to-day life of this authentic Florida fishing hub.

How long is the tour, and when does it depart?

The tour runs two hours and is timed to catch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. Specific departure times are set by the operator and should be confirmed at checkout.

Is the tour private or shared with other passengers?

The tour is private, meaning you and your group have the boat to yourselves. Your captain and guide are dedicated to your group for the full two hours.

What's included in the tour price?

Bottled water, soda, a cooler to keep drinks cold, the restroom on board, and the live guide in English or Spanish are all included. Private transportation to and from the boat is also part of the package.