Cortez Beach is a long strand of beach on southwest Anna Maria Island Florida.

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At Cortez Beach You Can Find Your Special Place in the Sun!

Cortez Beach is a long strand of sand located on the southwest side of Anna Maria Island, Florida.

In fact, Cortez beach picks up on its south end where Coquina Beach leaves off on its north end, but has a completely different look, feel and character about it.

First off there are no life guard towers, so you swim or surf at your own risk at this Anna Maria Island, Florida beach.

Cortez Beach on Anna Maria Island Florida Nor are there amenities like children’s playgrounds, or volley ball areas or beach chair rentals. This beach is not a "picnicking Mecca" like you’ll find at Coquina Beach, although you can still reserve a picnic pavilion here and there are restrooms nearby.

All of this doesn’t mean it’s a bad beach; quite the contrary. It’s a fabulous beach. In fact, it's one of the nicest Gulf of Mexico beaches along the suncoast.

Cortez Beach sits on Gulf Drive South on Anna Maria Island, so just slowly cruise down the street while looking for a parking spot on the side of the road. But keep your eyes peeled for cars pulling in and out of the roadside parking area.

You basically pull off Gulf Drive South and on to the side of the road to park. This is one of the things that I find so neat about this beach; the way the parking is set up. It reminds me, again, of “old style Florida.”

Tip: Here's a cool place for some great beachwear from flip-flops to swimsuits to tees, beach towels, suntan lotion, hip board shorts and everything you need for the beach.

Cortez Beach on Southwest Anna Maria Island Florida Another view of Cortez Beach on Anna Maria Island Florida

Street side parking at Cortez Beach Florida Yet Another view of Cortez Beach on Anna Maria Island Florida

If you've driven, once you’re situated with your parking spot simply walk down one of the many sandy pathways right onto the beach and stake out your own little piece of real estate.

Florida Surfing at Cortez Beach on Southwest Anna Maria Island Florida Another view of Florida Surfing at Cortez Beach on Southwest Anna Maria Island Florida

This is a beach where you can enjoy the Florida surf, sand and sun and make an exceptional day of it! Blue skies. Warm, salty air. Beautiful beach.

Cortez Beach Florida Manatee Counties Cortez Beach on south Anna Maria Island Florida

Cortez Beach Florida just off Bradenton Florida

Cortez Beach on southwest Anna Maria Island Florida near Bradenton Florida

This Manatee County Beach is open daily from sunrise to sunset and close enough from Sarasota Beaches to make it a worthwhile drive across scenic Longboat Key and up to Anna Maria Island.

Tip: Most times of the year the Florida sun can be really intense. Make sure you bring protective sunglasses for your eyes. Here's the best place to find both protective and really cool sunglasses.

Directions from Sarasota: Go over the Ringling Bridge off of downtown Sarasota onto St. Armand’s Key and follow Rt. 789 around St. Armand’s Circle to the north and on to Longboat Key. Stay on Gulf of Mexico drive north on Longboat Key until you cross the bridge to Anna Maria Island. Coquina Beach will be the first beach you come to on the left. Cortez Beach will be the next swath of beach just north on Gulf Drive South on the left.

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