ANNA MARIA – Manatee County’s commitment to responsible recreation and beach safety now includes the new Beach Like a Local complimentary life vest initiative.
The county-funded initiative is designed to encourage a safer beach experience for residents and visiting beachgoers of all ages and swimming abilities.
According to the county’s March 4 press release, the Beach Like a Local life vest initiative was inspired by an idea brought forward by Manatee County Supervisory Leadership Program members William Shick, Jennifer Perry, Codey Metters, Allen Raby and Enrique Gonzalez. The initiative provides additional safety opportunities in Anna Maria, where no manned lifeguard towers occupy the beach shoreline.
The free borrow and return life vest program provides Anna Maria beachgoers with U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vests at two locations on the north end of Anna Maria Island. One life vest stand is located on the beach alongside Gulf Boulevard, between Magnolia Avenue and Palm Avenue. The other is located at Bayfront Park.
Each life vest stand was initially stocked with 32 life vests of various sizes for infants, children and adults. The life vest stands also feature signage that explains how to properly fit and use a life vest.
The Beach Like a Local program is part of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Love It Like a Local initiative that encourages visitors to enjoy Anna Maria Island as if it were their own home by respecting wildlife, leaving beaches and waterways as they found them and making safer choices, including wearing life vests.
“This life vest program provides extra support for our residents and visitors,” Manatee County Commission Chairperson Tal Siddique said in the press release. “As we welcome visitors from around the world, we encourage them to not only enjoy our beaches but to also make choices that support a safer, more enjoyable beach experience for everyone.”
The county advises beachgoers and swimmers to check the www.safebeachday.com/county/manatee-county website for rip current possibilities and weather conditions.
“Water conditions can change quickly on the north end of Anna Maria Island and not everyone is familiar with our currents or tides,” Siddique said. “Wearing a properly fitted life vest adds another layer of protection while enjoying the water.”
The press release also notes Anna Maria Island’s seven-mile beach shoreline features a total of 11 lifeguard towers – some located at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach and others located at Cortez Beach and Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. The lifeguard towers are staffed by members of the Manatee Public Beach Patrol that was recently named the 2025 Beach Patrol of the Year by the Florida Beach Patrol Chiefs Association.
