BRADENTON, FL (October 29, 2024) - In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Gulf Islands Ferry will offer free ridership for Anna Maria Island residents as well as people employed on the island and contractors working on the island starting this Friday, November 1, 2024.
“Now that safe routes and docking points have been confirmed, the Manatee Board of County Commissioners are recommitting our resources to our community with free service for displaced residents and workers,” said Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Tourism Bureau. “We want the service to be of use to our barrier island community during this time of need.”
Service will run Thursday through Sundays with boats departing from the Riverwalk Pier beginning at 7:30 a.m. and continue once an hour until 6:30 p.m. On Anna Maria Island, service starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m. with boats leaving on the hour. For more information and the full schedule, visit
gulfislandsferry.com or the
Bradenton Area Tourism Bureau website.
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ABOUT THE GULF ISLANDS FERRY
Launched in January 2024, the Gulf Islands Ferry connects downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria Island via stops along Anna Maria City Pier and the Bridge Street Pier. The ferry routes are operated by two sustainably powered catamarans. Thursdays through Sundays, service starts at 7:30 a.m. in downtown Bradenton and the last boat leaves Anna Maria Island at 9 p.m. Up-to-date run times and scheduling can be found at
gulfislandsferry.com. For up-to-date information on run times, tickets and scheduling, riders can call customer service at 941-357-2587 or text 727-200-6487.