BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County’s Gulf Islands Ferry operation is being expanded to include a stop at the Coquina Bayside South Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach, across the street from Coquina Beach.
According to the Gulf Islands Ferry website, ferry service to the Coquina Beach stop was scheduled to begin on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
A trip from downtown Bradenton to Coquina Beach will require a transfer to a smaller pontoon ferry at the Bradenton Beach Pier.
According to Manatee County Communications Manager Keenan Singleton, “The fare for Historic Bridge Street Pier to Coquina Beach will be $5 one-way for adults ($9 round trip) and $3 ($5 round trip) for seniors. Those charges would be in addition to riding the service from the Bradenton Riverwalk Pier.”
One-way and round-trip ferry rides between the Bradenton Beach Pier and Coquina Beach can be purchased without a trip to or from downtown Bradenton.
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione has been the ferry service’s point man and biggest advocate since before the ferry service began in January 2024. “It’s not logistically possible to bring the large ferry (the Manatee Belle) down to Coquina Beach,” he said.
Earlier this year, the larger, partly enclosed Manatee Belle began service between downtown Bradenton and Bradenton Beach.
Regarding the new Coquina stop, Falcione said, “I’m hoping that entices more residents to use the water ferry because in most cases, Coquina Beach is their beach of choice to enjoy. We’re excited that we have it up and available for the Labor Day holiday, which is obviously one of our busiest weekends of the summer.”
Ferry service is expected to resume in Anna Maria in 2027 or 2028, after the hurricane-damaged City Pier reopens and the anticipated county-funded Anna Maria ferry landing is installed at or near the City Pier.
To purchase ferry tickets or view the schedule, visit the Gulf Islands Ferry website.
