Holmes Beach

Holmes Beach

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles127 reviews
Excellent
82
Very good
23
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
14

DEP
Bettendorf, IA30 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022 • Couples
Rented the Sandcastle duplex through Florida Dreams Realty for several weeks. We picked this place because of the description, photos and reviews on the Florida Dreams website. Very disappointed as the listing was very misrepresented. The photos were taken years ago when this used to be a nice place but it has not been kept up. Our reviews on their website were not allowed as they obviously won’t post any negative reviews. The decades old pet stained carpet should have been taken out years ago. The peeling wallpaper and ceiling paper, hole in the wall on the landing, the rodent droppings in the lower level and the back stairs were some of the worst examples. The folks at Florida Dreams did their best to clean things up: had the carpets shampooed, threw out old outside cushions and the filthy sofa/foldout bed in the second bedroom, provided 2 new patio loungers. However, apparently the absentee owner will not pay for the updates to bring it back to what it probably once was.
We love AMI and Holmes Beach where we have vacationed for several years, but this unit spoiled our time here and others need to be forewarned.
Written April 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

K T Dume
Holmes Beach, FL326 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023
Be aware that Anna Maria USED to feel like Old Florida, but is now so built up and in the control of speculators and realtors that you can barely ride your bike semi-safely. The old time quality is pretty much gone; it's become an Air BNB and party area. The beaches are really crowded, pretty much all year around.
Additionally, the red tide has been horrendous these past few years, Piney Point still isn't fixed, and there are still loads of "Do not go in the water". If you fish, be careful what you eat unless you're pretty far off shore.
It's a shame. This was one of the few wonderfully old-fashioned small town places left in Florida, right on the water.
Written January 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Riya K
Grafton, WI1 contribution
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
We stayed in Holmes Beach in a condo called Coastal Sunrise, Sunset Cove. The building only had 5 units and it was beautifully appointed but the mechanics of the place did not work well. This unit is being shown on VRBO and is beautiful. We arrived on July9,2022 to stay for a week but left on Thursday because the air conditioning was so out of balance that 3 of us got sick. To sit in the living room you had to wrap up in a blanket, the master bedroom was so cold and the two back bedrooms were so warm it was hard to sleep in them. When we arrived the fire alarms were going off so we called and a maintenance person came out at about 9pm to put in new batteries into 2 of the alarms. The lights in the dining area would flicker if you tried to dim them. The kitchen cabinet would not stay shut so we had to use a rubber band to hold it closed. The elevator alarm was ringing until we left on Thursday. Management said someone would be out on Monday to balance the air conditioning but that never happened. What good is a beautiful place, if it doesn't function and we paid $8,000 for this experience.
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Arthur D
Atlanta, GA3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
Holmes Beach used to be a lovely and welcoming place however, over the past year Mayor Judy Titsworth and her subordinate City Council have banned and eliminated most of the parking in a not so veiled attempt to eliminate visitors from enjoying the beaches and island. They still allow parking on public streets but one has to have a permit and the only way to get a permit is to be a resident. Mayor Titsworth and her City Council have insouciantly refused to budge on this matter, as if they think the island and it's beaches belongs to residents and no one else is allowed. Manatee County taxes renourish and support those beaches, but Holmes Beach does not welcome Manatee County residents from 5 minutes away in Bradenton. They do not own the island or the beaches, but seem to be confused on this matter. They seem to be further confused as they have a "Welcome to Holmes Beach" sign at the roadway entrance, and yet they do not welcome anyone but residents. If you had thought of visiting but are not a resident, then visit elsewhere. The residents (who are also from elswhere) bought places before you and now no longer want you on "their" beach.
Written July 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

thespy60
Northville, MI52 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
We rented a condo unit in Homes beach area in late January. We were a five minute walk from the beach 7 miles of white sand and great walking. The area was quiet and the shops and restaurants were very good. The traffic getting on to Anna Maria Island can be bad going over the bridge, but it thins out as you go north to Homes Beach and Bean Point. Make sure you go to Ginny’s and Jane E’s Island Bakery and cafe. Great homemade breakfasts and lunch!! Also our favorite fish restaurant was The Blue Marlin, a little pricey but very good.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Virginia Jamnicki
Naperville, IL1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
Great Beach with so many places to eat close by. Riding bikes, golf carts, walking or car is some of the ways to get around. Food is great with The Feast, Hurricane Hanks and Ugly Grouper just a few of the places you can get great seafood and more.
Beach is close no matter where you are with spectacular sunsets, warm waters and sugar like sand to sink into! It is great for families and all!!
Written April 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ClaireWithLove
Germantown, MD2,387 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 • Family
This is a great beach! I loved the gentle waves and firm packed sand which made our over 1 mile walk very easy since the beach was not steeply sloped. The sand was not hot either. There was a grill for food, bathroom, gift shop, and outdoor shower facility to wash off the sand. It was not too crowded during the week either with plenty of room to spread out and parking.
Written November 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jon F
5 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
Beautiful water and beach. Very busy for me. Anna maria island has public beach access every two blocks so the crowds are pretty disbursed.
The signs on the beach state no animals, you can totally disregard this as many dogs on the beach. Wish I knew this prior, I would have brought mine. So much for playing by the rules.
Restaurants pretty overpriced for what you get.
Condos vary in costs. We had a two bedroom for about 2500 for a week.
There was one similar next door that I almost booked for 5k. Shop around.
Written July 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

T1417JWmichaelw
Washington DC8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
Excellent rental at 419 Clark Drive. Screened pool. Quiet. Minutes from beach. Good amenities. Scuba dived in the Gulf. Terrible visibility - only 5 to 7 feet - even 10 miles offshore at 45 feet. Used Florida Underwater Sports - not recommended. Ample fresh seafood in stores and restaurants. Wide beach and not crowded in September. Good variety of shops and restaurants. Pricy but not unreasonably so. Friendly locals. Unfortunately little diversity. I didn't see an African American face during my entire visit.
Written September 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kathleen757
Orange City, FL224 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
We had such a nice time and we will return as this is a beautiful beach and not like other beaches with tourists ! We stayed 2 blocks from the beach and everything you need is there. I’m sure this would be a good place to stay and after school starts in August we think would be a perfect place! The most beautiful sunsets!
Written July 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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HOLMES BEACH (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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