After delays, water taxi between Anna Maria Island and Bradenton has new launch date

James A. Jones Jr.
·2 min read

Talked about for decades, water taxi service between the Bradenton waterfront and Anna Maria Island, could start in time for Thanksgiving.

Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, on Monday briefed members of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council on water taxi plans.

The water taxi’s start date has slipped several times due to a number of challenges, including finding a vendor, the time needed to build the boats, negotiating agreements with local governmental entities and more.

Among previous forecasts for the start of service was spring of this year.

“I keep missing the timeline. It’s frustrating, but we’re pushing hard every day,” Falcione said.

Two 49-passenger catamarans, Miss Anna Maria and the Downtown Duchess, arrived in Manatee County in July to begin Coast Guard trials.

Boat ramps are being fabricated and should be delivered by the end of October, Falcione said.

The ramps, which will be installed at three taxi stops — the day dock along the Bradenton Riverwalk, the Anna Maria City Pier and the Bridge Street pier in Bradenton Beach — are compliant with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Falcione said.

A fourth water taxi stop is planned for Coquina Beach.

Two water taxis, Miss Anna Maria and the Downtown Duchess, are moored at the docks at Pier 22 in Bradenton while officials find a way for the ferries to dock at the Anna Maria Pier.
Two water taxis, Miss Anna Maria and the Downtown Duchess, are moored at the docks at Pier 22 in Bradenton while officials find a way for the ferries to dock at the Anna Maria Pier.

Falcione plans to pursue talks with Holmes Beach officials to add a stop there as well. Also envisioned is a stop in Palmetto along the DeSoto Bridge to serve residents, visitors and the Bradenton Area Convention Center.

Other future additions might include Safe Harbor Regatta Pointe in Palmetto and Fort Hamer Park in Parrish, all of which would carry daytrippers between Anna Maria Island and stops on the mainland.

Proposed fares would be $8 for one-way trips or $10 for an all-day pass, the Bradenton Herald previously reported.

Although water taxi services have been discussed for years, it wasn’t until 2021 when former county administrator Scott Hopes tasked the county staff with the job that that the project began moving forward.

Helping add momentum to the task was growing traffic congestion and limited beach parking.

A water taxi service is seen as a way to remove some traffic from local roads and alleviate concerns about parking once beachgoers arrive on Anna Maria Island.

Initially, plans are to offer the taxi service 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.