Ferry Service To Offer Free Rides To AMI Residents, Workers: County

BRADENTON, FL — The Gulf Islands Ferry service will return Friday in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton to offer free rides to Anna Maria Island for displaced residents, contractors and workers, Manatee County officials said in a news release.

“Now that safe routes and docking points have been confirmed, the Manatee Board of County Commissioners are recommitting our resources to our community with free service for displaced residents and workers,” Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Tourism Bureau, said. “We want the service to be of use to our barrier island community during this time of need.”

Launched in January 2024, the Gulf Islands Ferry connects downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria Island via stops along Anna Maria City Pier and the Bridge Street Pier.

Service will run Thursdays through Sundays with boats departing from the Riverwalk Pier beginning at 7:30 a.m. and continuing once an hour until 6:30 p.m.

On Anna Maria Island, service starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m. with boats leaving on the hour.

A full schedule can be found online here.