Dec. 8 update: An announcement for the Gulf Islands Ferry Service said the startup was delayed until January.
Public transport is taking to the seas to link Anna Maria Island to mainland Bradenton.
Manatee County’s Gulf Islands Ferry program will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8, pending final certification from the U.S. Coast Guard.
The service includes two 50-foot catamarans operated by Clearwater-based Gulf Coast Water Taxi, which will staff each of the 49-passenger vessels with two crew members on the route.
The program will initially run 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday, ferrying passengers between downtown Bradenton, the Anna Maria City Pier and the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach.
Future ferry stops are planned for Coquina Beach and Longboat Key.
The first leg of the trip — Bradenton to Anna Maria — is estimated to take 35 minutes. A one-way trip will cost $8, which is discounted to $5 for children ages 3-11 and $6 for seniors 55 and up. Children under the age of 3 ride free.
Passengers will be allowed beach gear on the ferries, as well as service animals and “leashed, well-behaved pets … as long as they do not bother other guests,” according to a Gulf Islands Ferry fact sheet.
The service also can accommodate groups, as long as arrangements are made at least two weeks ahead by emailing Kristi Watson at kristi@gulfcoastwatertaxi.com.