In 1892, George Emerson Bean began to develop a 160-acre homestead on the northernmost tip of Anna Maria Island. This was the start of what would become the breathtaking town of Anna Maria. What followed was a town of permanent streets, clean water distribution throughout the city, architecturally unique homes, schools, churches and so much more. Today, you can see where it all started by visiting the best seat on the island at Bean Point beach during your next stay in our rentals.
There’s No Place Like It
Today, there are no structures left at Bean Point, making it a perfect place to experience the breathtaking nature of the island in all of its glory. Visitors love to pack a picnic, bring a blanket to comfortably stretch out on, or walk in some beach chairs to perch on for the day. Bring a frisbee, kites, or binoculars for bird watching. But above all else, be sure to stick around till sunset for some amazing views of blue water, vibrant skies, and if you’re lucky, aquatic animals cresting the surface of the horizon, for an unforgettable evening on the island. There are no facilities at Bean Point, so plan accordingly. With no lifeguards on duty, visitors enter the water at their own risk. Also Bean Point does not have a designated parking lot.
Getting to Bean Point
Getting to Bean Point on Anna Maria Island will require some walking, but the viewpoints are definitely worth the trek. The most direct entrances are located at the intersections of Gladiolus Street and North Shore Drive as well as Fern Street and North Shore Drive. For your convenience, there are signs marking the beach access points. While there are some parking spaces available along the nearby streets to these access points, they are limited.
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of driving, take advantage of the Anna Maria Trolley. Easy, convenient, and free, visitors from all over love taking advantage of this unbelievable service. Should you decide to go this route, take the trolley to the Anna Maria City Pier and plan to walk about a mile to get to Bean Point beach.
Another fantastic option is riding bikes. Whether you use a bike that’s provided by your vacation rental or you opt instead to rent one from a local shop, you can park your bike at one of the main entrances or bring it with you for an exceptional way to experience the best views on the island.
