People have a new way to reach Coquina Beach.
Manatee County expanded its Gulf Islands Ferry service south on Anna Maria Island Sept. 2, adding a stop at the Coquina Bayside South Boat Ramp, 1465 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach.
The beach stop is the third in the ferry system. The others are at the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach and the Riverwalk Pier in Bradenton.
The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau hosted a media trip Sept. 2 to demonstrate the expanded service.
Passengers departed the Riverwalk Pier, 452 Third Ave. W., aboard the Manatee Belle for a 45-minute trip to the Bridge Street pier, 200 Bridge St., where those continuing to Coquina transferred to a smaller pontoon boat for a 20-minute trip.
The county’s plan is for larger vessels to run the longer routes and smaller boats to make shorter trips.
More than 55,000 passengers used the ferry service in 2025, eliminating an estimated 23,000 vehicle trips, according to the county. For 2026, ridership through August exceeded 45,000.
“What better way than to be able to get out of your car? Let us do the driving for you on the water,” said Keenan Singleton, the BACVB communications manager who was on board for the Sept. 2 trip.
“It’s just a time to connect, kind of a time to unplug,” he said.
While the media and tourism officials were aboard to observe the opening of the Coquina stop, the ferry operated its regular passenger service from Bradenton.
Passengers spotted dolphins jumping in the wake.
Sonya Montgomery celebrated her birthday with friends Barbara Bartlett and Carly Benora. The three traveled from separate cities and used the Bradenton departure as a meeting point for their trip to AMI.
Jenn Reitzel boarded in Bradenton with her children for a family day in Bradenton Beach. The Reitzels are from Ontario, Canada, and have a home in the Sunny Shores community in Cortez.
Margaret Shillinglaw, Irene Burns, Linda Cranmer and Sandra Bingham were headed for lunch at the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, located at the Bridge Street pier.
Those passengers disembarked at Bridge Street.
The media contingent continued south on the pontoon to Coquina.
Nicholas Francis, lead captain, said he expects the Coquina addition to appeal particularly to families and younger adults headed to the beach.
“I love the idea,” he said.
The Coquina stop opened as Bradenton Beach businesses are working to brand the commercial area as AMI South End. The hopper between Bridge Street and Coquina creates another connection for businesses, the beaches and boating.
Francis has been with the ferry operation since its beginnings in 2023 and said he would like to see the network include additional connections. The ferry could land at the Anna Maria City Pier in Anna Maria, as well as at locations in Cortez and Palmetto.
“I think it would be a really good opportunity to connect more people to the island by water,” he said. “We have it. I think we should be using it.”
Riding the ferry
The ferry operates Wednesday-Sunday. The first boat leaves Bradenton for Bridge Street at 9:30 a.m. The first boat leaves Bridge Street for Coquina Beach at 11 a.m. Tickets are purchased at gulfislandsferry.com. For more information about schedules and prices, visit the website or call or text 727-200-6487.