"Beach Like a Local’" offers safer swims on Anna Maria Island through complimentary life vest stands
Anna Maria Island, Fla. – March 4, 2026 – The Bradenton Area’s commitment to responsible recreation and beach safety is now buoyed by "Beach Like a Local," a new complimentary life-vest initiative designed to encourage a safer beach experience for resident and visiting beachgoers of all ages and swimming abilities.
Inspired by an idea brought forward by William Shick, Jennifer Perry, Codey Metters, Allen Raby and Enrique Gonzalez at Manatee County’s Supervisory Leadership Program, this program is meant to provide additional safety opportunities in areas that are without lifeguard towers on Anna Maria Island.
"Beach Like a Local" is part of the Bradenton Area’s "Love It Like a Local" initiative, which encourages visitors to enjoy Anna Maria Island as if they called it home by respecting wildlife, leaving beaches and waterways as they found them and making safer choices, including wearing these life vests.
The program will provide beachgoers with the opportunity to use of 64 total U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vests at two locations on the north end of Anna Maria Island with the intent to return after use. One stand will be near the beach access off Gulf Boulevard on the Gulf side of the island, with the other stand placed at Anna Maria Bayfront Park.
Each life vest stand contains 32 life vests in various sizes, ranging from infant, youth, child and adult sizes along with clear, proper signage explaining how to properly fit and use the life vests.
“This life vest program provides extra support for our residents and visitors,” said Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Chairperson, Tal Siddique. “As we welcome visitors from around the world, we welcome them to not only enjoy our beaches but to also make safer choices that support a safer, more enjoyable beach experience for everyone.”
Part of safer swims include checking daily beach conditions to be aware of rip current possibilities and weather conditions.
“Water conditions can change quickly on the north end of Anna Maria Island, and not everyone is familiar with our currents or tides,” said Siddique. “Wearing a properly fitted life vest adds another layer of protection while enjoying the water.”
Anna Maria Island has seven miles of pristine, sugar-white sand beaches. There are 11 lifeguard towers that span from Manatee Beach down to Coquina Beach.
These lifeguard towers are staffed by Manatee Public Beaches Patrol, which was recently named the 2025 Beach Patrol of the Year by the Florida Beach Patrol Chiefs Association.
Access the full media kit for the Beach Like a Local complimentary life vest initiative
For more information, contact Keenan Singleton, Communications Manager, at [email protected] or call at 941-773-6000.
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About the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
As an accredited Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (BACVB) is responsible for promoting tourism to Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key areas through strategic domestic and international advertising, public relations and marketing efforts. In an effort to raise the profile and boost the economy in Manatee County, the BACVB works with consumers as well as meeting and event planners to highlight the destination’s sugar-white sand and turquoise waters, fresh seafood, arts and culture, rich history and the easy pace of authentic Florida island life globally. For more information, visit bradentongulfislands.com.
About Love It Like A Local
Love It Like a Local is the sustainable initiative for the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau that promotes and encourages responsible travel from visitors to the Bradenton Area. To continue the commitment of balancing tourism impact and local resident sentiment, BACVB was the first tourism office in the state of Florida to partner with national non-profit organization Leave No Trace, a leader in establishing responsible travel initiatives throughout the United States. The BACVB encourages all visitors to love our community as if they lived here all year long. More Information