Larger, air-conditioned ferry added to Manatee beach fleet

A third, larger, vessel is now part of Manatee County's fleet operating ferry service between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island.

Manatee Belle, a 91-passenger craft with enclosed, climate-controlled seating, joins two 49-seat, outboard-motor propelled catamaran boats connecting Bradenton’s Riverwalk with the Bridge Street Pier.

The more capable Belle will ensure better schedule performance because of its ability to handle different water conditions, said Tal Siddique, chair of the County Commission.

“The Manatee Belle is the logical next step for the Gulf Islands Ferry, a larger vessel with indoor seating able to handle more adverse weather conditions,” Siddique said. “The addition of this boat provides ease to both our residents and visitors that continues to enhance multi-modal transportation in our community.”

More than 55,000 passengers rode the ferry service in 2025, helping decrease vehicle traffic by nearly 23,000 cars, the county said in a news release.

Image courtesy of Manatee County

The Gulf Islands Ferry service has boats departing Wednesday through Sunday from the Riverwalk Pier beginning at 7:30 a.m. through 7:30 p.m. to the Historic Bridge Street Pier. On Anna Maria Island departures begin at 9 a.m. and run through 9 p.m.

Round trip prices are $11 for adults and $7 for seniors (60-79) and youth (4-17). Younger and older passengers ride free of charge. One-way passage prices are $7 and $5.

The county’s purchase of the $2.6 million Manatee Belle ferry with tourism tax funding was called into question by state budget auditors, who called the beach service under-used, a fact questioned by County Commission George Kruse.

“First, you can’t get a ticket; everybody loves the water taxis,” Kruse said. “And second, 100% of the purchase of the water taxis and the operations are paid entirely by bed taxes.”