Anna Maria Island Boat Rental and Boating FAQs
Compass Boat Rentals Q&A
Welcome to our Boat Rental FAQ corner! Here, you can find all the helpful info you need about our boat rentals and tours. Whether you’re curious about Anna Maria Island boating requirements, our local spots, or just want to know what to bring for your day on the water, we’ve got you covered. Dive into the questions below and let’s make your boating adventure unforgettable!
Local Gems to Visit by Boat
#1 Jewfish Key
Egmont Key State Park
#3. Passage Key
This beautiful sandbar off the north end of Anna Maria Island is like an island escape. Known for crystal-clear water and white sandy beaches, it’s perfect for floating, swimming, and relaxing on a slow, easy day. Note that Passage Key is clothing-optional, but it’s easy to find your own private spot.
Coordinates: 27.5512° N, 82.7251° W
#4. De Soto National Memorial
Situated along the Manatee River, this peaceful spot is perfect for stretching your legs and soaking in the natural beauty and Florida history. It’s a relaxed stop where you can enjoy the water and the serene surroundings.
Coordinates: 27.5009° N, 82.5749° W
Dock And Dine Attractions to Visit by Boat
#1. Bridge Street
Bridge Street is hands-down our absolute favorite spot on the island. From great food and drinks to shopping and nonstop island vibes, there’s always something going on. Favorites include Bridge Tender Inn, Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Island Time Bar and Grill, Moose Lodge (members only), the Drift-Inn for a true dive-bar feel, and Daiquiri Deck — plus plenty more all within walking distance.
Coordinates: 27.5006° N, 82.7382° W
#2. Woody’s River Roo
Woody’s River Roo has been our go-to spot on the Manatee River for years. It’s a laid-back dock-and-dine favorite with great food, cold drinks, and classic old-Florida river vibes. It also happens to be a special place for us — it’s where Capt. John first met his wife and the first stop after proposing on the water.
Coordinates: 27.4929° N, 82.5748° W
#3. Riverwalk Bradenton
The Riverwalk in Bradenton is a great spot to relax and enjoy the waterfront along the Manatee River. It’s perfect for families, couples, and anyone looking to take in the views, watch boats go by, or catch a sunset. With free day docking available, it’s an easy place to stop by boat and enjoy everything the Riverwalk has to offer.
Coordinates: 27.4983° N, 82.5692° W
#4. Star Fish Company
Star Fish Company is a classic Old Florida seafood spot and one of our all-time favorites. Known for fresh, local seafood and no-frills waterfront seating, it’s the perfect place to pull up by boat and enjoy the Cortez fishing village vibe.
Coordinates: 27.4421° N, 82.6174° W
#5. Tide Tables Restaurant
Tide Tables is a great waterfront stop right on Bridge Street and a favorite for dock-and-dine by boat. With awesome food, cold drinks, and unbeatable views of the water, it’s the perfect place to pull up, relax, and enjoy the island atmosphere.
Coordinates: 27.5000° N, 82.7381° W
#6. Whiskey Joe’s
Whiskey Joe’s on the Manatee River is a fun, lively dock-and-dine spot with great food, cold drinks, and awesome river views. It’s an easy place to pull up by boat and enjoy the laid-back waterfront atmosphere.
Coordinates: 27.4925° N, 82.5739° W
#7. Riviera Dunes Dockside
Riviera Dunes Dockside is a great dock-and-dine stop along the Manatee River with upscale marina vibes, solid food, and beautiful waterfront views. It’s an easy place to pull up by boat and enjoy a more polished atmosphere.
Coordinates: 27.5123° N, 82.5662° W
#8. Swordfish Grill
Swordfish Grill is a fun, laid-back dock-and-dine spot in Cortez serving fresh seafood and classic Old Florida vibes.
Coordinates: 27.4419° N, 82.6153° W
#9. Mar Vista
Mar Vista is a beautiful dock-and-dine spot on Longboat Key known for great food, a relaxed old-Florida atmosphere, and stunning waterfront views.
Coordinates: 27.3003° N, 82.6130° W
#10. The Shore
The Shore is a slightly more upscale dock-and-dine spot on Longboat Key offering elevated coastal cuisine, craft cocktails, and beautiful waterfront views.
Coordinates: 27.2966° N, 82.6148° W
#11. Floridays Woodfire Grill and Bar
Floridays is located on the Bradenton side of the Intracoastal and is a great dock-and-dine stop with wood-fired food, craft cocktails, and a relaxed waterfront atmosphere. It’s also a convenient place to fuel up the boat.
Coordinates: 27.4976° N, 82.5707° W
#12. Island Ocean Star Sushi
Island Ocean Star Sushi is a great stop for amazing sushi and fresh flavors. It’s also a convenient place to fuel up the boat while cruising the area.
Coordinates: 27.5110° N, 82.5578° W
Waterfront Lodging for Boat Rental Delivery on Anna Maria Island
Waterfront Lodging with Boat Docks:
A Paradise Vacation Rentals
Waterfront Lodging with Boat Docks:
Duncan Real Estate
Coquina Moorings, Unit 201 – Anna Maria Island – 2 Bedroom/ 2 Bath with Den, maximum occupancy of 6 people.
Bay and Gulf Views – Community Pool
Distance to the Beach: across the street
Watch both sunrise AND sunset!
Location: Bradenton Beach Features: Heated pool directly on the bay and a boat dock.
– Longboat Key – 4 Bedroom/ 3.5 Bath, maximum occupancy of 8 people.
Canal Home – Private Pool – Boat Dock
Distance to the Beach: 1 block
Deep-water canal, leading right out to Sarasota bay.
Location: Longboat Key
Features: Private dock. Heated pool. Longboat Key beaches only a short walk away.
Waterfront Lodging with Boat Docks:
Fran Maxon Real Estate
Waterfront Lodging with Boat Docks:
Captain Julie and Smugglers' Cove
225 Willow Ave, Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island -Bedrooms: 2 / Bathrooms: 2 / Sleeps: 6
Bay and Gulf Views – Canal Home with 36 ft Private Pool and Spa.
Distance to the Beach: 2 Blocks
2 short blocks to the beach and located on a quiet canal street.
Location: Anna Maria Island Features: 20 ft of dock space, Guests can have up to 26 ft boat, 28ft is pushing it.
– Anna Maria –
Canal Home – Private Pool – Boat Dock
Distance to the Beach: 2.5 block
Canal front
Location: Anna Maria
Features: Beautiful North End Canal Home, Pool, Kayaks, Dock, close to beach.
Planning an Anna Maria Island Vacation? Here are some other great Activities!
Island Pub Crawls for the rowdier groups are a blast with Crystens’s AMI!
Want to ride bikes to the beach from your waterfront vacation rental? Crabby Joe’s has bikes, golf carts, chairs and other beach rentals!
See Crysten’s AMI for local Pub Crawls, and Crabby Joe’s for Bike Rentals and Beach Rentals. (Use Code Crabby5 for a special discount from us!) Tell both of them that we sent you, and keep the Island Vibes going…
FAQs
Got questions about our boat rentals? We’ve got answers.
FLORIDA LAW REQUIRES anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 to have completed a Boating Safety Course in order to operate a boat. A Florida Boat Renter Temporary Certificate can be obtained on-line for $9.99 at: Florida Temporary Boating Certificate
You can obtain a Lifetime Certificate here: Florida Boating Lifetime Certificate
Bring your enthusiasm and we’ll provide the safety brief. For captained tours, just kick back and enjoy!
There is no age limit for being a passenger on a boat with Compass Boat Rentals. Our Anna Maria Island boat rentals and tours are perfect for the whole family!
Although, we do have minimum age requirements for the following:
To Rent – Ages: 18+
To Drive – Ages: 21+
At the time of delivery, you will receive a boat with a full tank of fuel.
When you return your boat rental, you have the options of either:
- Bringing the boat back with a full tank of gas, or
- Having us fill the tank for you for the cost of the fuel plus a $25.00 service fee.
95% of customers choose for us to fill up for them for the added convenience
You can explore by boat from Anna Maria Island and go all throughout the Manatee River, around the Skyway Bridge all the way down to Siesta Key and Egmont Key!
Ask us for the best places to explore as you explore the Gulf Coast. John grew up on the waters around Anna Maria Island and has all of the best locations to share, depending on your experience, group size and desired type of boating adventure.
Don’t have experience driving a Pontoon boat or Deck Boat? We have custom Captained boat rentals and Anna Maria Island Boating Tours as well. Contact us to discuss the best Boating Adventure for you, whether it be a bareboat rental or a fully planned itinerary with local Captains to help you explore the Gulf waters, local islands and dolphin sightings.
Our Pontoon boat rentals have the flexibility for passengers to face any direction, even re-arranging furniture while entertaining friends or family. Pontoon boats use aluminum or inflatable tubes to float. Perfect for socializing!
Our Deck boat rentals have seats that are facing forward, which is especially nice when cruising at a high speed. Deck boats are designed to have a big deck space for entertaining friends or family while having a hull just like traditional boats. Perfect for adventures!
We’re open daily from 9 AM to sunset, ready to set you up for a day on the water. If you’re planning a sunset cruise, just give us a call!
Compass Boat Rentals’ business hours are as follows:
Mon: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tue: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wed: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thu: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Compass Boat Rentals’ business hours are as follows:
Mon:9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tue:9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wed:9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thu:9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri:9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat:9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun:9:00 AM – 6:00 PMCompass Boat Rentals’ business hours are as follows:
Mon:9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tue:9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wed:9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thu:9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri:9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat:9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun:9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Watersport enthusiasts, fishermen, avid boaters, and even dogs are welcome on our Boat Rentals! With Compass Boat Rentals, you can make memories of your Anna Maria Island vacation along with your fur babies because our boat rentals are pet friendly.
Your safety is our top priority! If storms roll in, we’ll help you reschedule or discuss other options. Let’s keep the fun going!
Dress for fun! Think comfy clothes, sunglasses, and don’t forget sunscreen. We want you to enjoy every moment on the water!
Compass Boat Rentals’ pontoons and boat decks have a weight limit for the following rentals and they are as follows:
Compass Boat Rentals’ pontoons and boat decks have a weight limit for the following rentals and they are as follows:
- Sun Tracker 22’ Tritoon – 10 persons or 1500 lbs
- Hurricane 237 Deck Boat – 12 persons or 1600 pounds
- Sunchaser Geneva 24′ – 1775lbs
- Starcraft SVX 211 – 1875lbs
- Starcraft SVX 171 – 1400lbs
- Starcraft Limited 2000 – 1700lbs
We are located by Appointment for Deliveries at the Kingfish Boat Ramp at 752 Manatee Avenue, Holmes Beach, Florida, 34217
We also deliver to slips and vacation rentals around the Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach areas.
Don’t have the experience to rent on your own? We can provide Captains for a Custom Anna Maria Island Boat Tour as well!
Your appetite for some rest and relaxation & AMI Florida style island adventure!
Along with that, we highly recommend bringing along beach towels to keep yourself dry onboard, a camera to capture the memories, dolphins and manatee sightings that you will be making of the beautiful Coast waters, and don’t forget some food to snack on.
Remember to bring your bathing suit and extra dry clothes so you won’t have to worry about getting your vehicle wet after taking a dip in the Gulf Coast, some of the most beautiful waters in the world.
Most importantly, ball caps or hats and sunblock for sun protection from the Anna Maria Island ocean sunshine!
We will provide the local knowledge from decades of experience of places to explore around Anna Maria Island by boat, and our signature Island hospitality!
Our Boat Rentals can be rented for as long as needed to accommodate your vacation on Anna Maria Island. Generally, up to two week boat rentals is the longest rental duration that we see – with lots of 3 Day to Week long boat rentals as well.
We can accommodate Half Day Boat Rentals (4 Hours), Single Day Boat Rentals (8 Hours), and Captained Boat Tours from 2 Hours to 8 Hours long as well as Multi-Day and Weekly Boat Rentals to explore the Gulf Coast around Anna Maria Island. Call us for help choosing the best Boating Adventure for you!
All of our AMI boat rentals come equipped with a GPS, bimini top, Coast Guard equipment, and radios!
Have we answered your Anna Maria Island Boat Rentals and Tours questions?
If yes, you can now view all of our boat rentals by clicking this link.
If not, you may call us through (941) 877-0825 or send us a message through our contact page by clicking this link.
Compass Boat Rentals looks forward to serving you with local island hospitality and the Premier Boat Rentals (with or without Captains) on Anna Maria Island!
Have more questions?
If you still have questions or need more info, feel free to reach out! We’re here to help you plan your perfect day on the water, whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned boater.
Let’s Connect!
Give Us a Ring
(941)-877-0825
Our Hours of Operation
Daily from 9 AM to 6 PM
Meet Us Here
752 Manatee Ave., Holmes Beach
Anna Maria Island, FL