Bradenton · Anna Maria Island · October · Fall Getaway
October in Bradenton & Anna Maria Island: Beaches Without the Crowds
By Oak & Oar Retreats · September 22, 2026
If you have only ever seen Anna Maria Island in March, you have seen it at its busiest. October is the version locals keep to themselves.
October on the Gulf Coast
Highs run in the upper 80s, the Gulf stays around 82°F — genuinely bath-warm — and the summer afternoon storms taper off as the month goes on. The beaches that are shoulder-to-shoulder in spring break are close to empty on a Tuesday in October.
What to do
- Anna Maria Island beaches — Coquina, Cortez and Bean Point, all roughly 15–25 minutes from the house. A free trolley runs the length of the island.
- Bradenton Riverwalk — playgrounds, a skate park, fishing piers and a Saturday farmers market.
- Robinson Preserve — kayak trails, boardwalks and a climbing tower with the best view in Manatee County.
- Cortez Fishing Village — the real thing, not a tourist recreation. Grouper sandwiches by the docks.
- Sunset at the Rod & Reel Pier — bring a camera, October skies deliver.
Everything is mapped with drive times in our Dream Come True Adventure Guide.
Where to stay: Dream Come True
Dream Come True is our 4-bedroom, 3-bath home on 76th Street West in Bradenton — 9 beds total (2 kings, 1 queen, 2 full-over-full bunks and a twin-over-twin bunk), a private pool and lanai, a game room, and two living rooms so the grown-ups and the kids each get their own space. IMG Academy is close by, and Anna Maria Island beaches are about 15 minutes out.
Pets are welcome too — up to two, with a $75 pet fee.
20% off your first stay
Use promo code DREAMBIG20 for 20% off your first stay. This is a limited-time pre-launch rate and it goes away the moment our professional photography goes up, so October is the window.