ANNA MARIA – Manatee County’s Gulf Island Ferry service is scheduled to launch and make its first stop at the Anna Maria City Pier on Friday, Jan. 12. The first ferry trip to Bradenton Beach remains on hold.
The county announced the new launch date in a press release issued on Dec. 29. The county and its contracted ferry operator, Gulf Coast Water Taxi, previously hoped to begin service on Dec. 8. That launch date was delayed because the ferry service had not yet received U.S. Coast Guard certification and the modifications needed at the Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach docking facilities had not been completed.
“The initial route of the two 50-foot open-air catamarans, Miss Anna Maria and Downtown Duchess, will take riders from the day dock in downtown Bradenton to the Anna Maria City Pier. The historic city pier at Bradenton Beach will be added to the route system as soon as some minor enhancements are completed,” according to the press release.
“Visitors and residents can catch a ride on the water Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Ride times between stops will range from 25-40 minutes. The two catamarans hold 49 passengers and will have two crew aboard to ensure smooth transport to and from each port,” the press release states.
According to the Gulf Island Ferry website, one-way ticket prices are $6 for adults 18 and older, $4 for seniors, active military members and youths aged 4 to 18. Children 3 years old and younger ride free. Round trip ticket prices are $10 for adults 18 and up, $6 for seniors, active military members and youths 4 to 18 years of age, and children 3 and younger ride free.
Bradenton Beach stops
According to Bradenton Beach City Attorney Ricinda Perry, the floating dock at the Bradenton Beach Pier and the nearby public dinghy dock at the foot of the pier boardwalk are both being made available for the county ferry service.
Perry said engineering plans are still needed for the installation of a ramp that will provide passenger access between the ferry boats and the dinghy dock. In the meantime, the county and its contracted ferry operator plan to initially use the floating dock once it’s equipped with a temporary lift for ferry passengers.
Perry said the temporary lift will be installed at the boat slip closest to the police boat lift at the west end of the floating dock. That slip is located closest to the Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramp that provides access between the floating dock and the elevated pier. Perry did not provide an estimated completion date for the dock modifications.
During past ferry service discussions, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione said the ferries would also stop at one of the county-owned Coquina boat ramps at the south end of Bradenton Beach, across the street from Coquina Beach. The Dec. 29 press release does not mention a Coquina boat ramp ferry stop.
MCAT buses, the MCAT-affiliated free Island trolley service and various other privately operated shuttle services will provide additional ground transportation for ferry passengers traveling to destinations not located within walking distance from the Island ferry stops.
For more information, visit https://www.bradentongulfislands.com/gulf-islands-ferry.
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