Gulf Islands Ferry to Add More Destinations

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Eighteen months after launching the Gulf Islands Ferry, the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is celebrating its success, with plans for upcoming expansions.

Passengers highlight the service’s advantage in bypassing beach traffic as a significant benefit.

While new stops are not expected before Thanksgiving, they are on the way.

Local users appreciate the added stops as they increase the appeal of using the ferry.

Melissa Wilson, a long-time waterfront resident, now takes to the water regularly. “I sometimes ride it solo, just for the pleasure,” she shares.

Wilson relishes the open water and sights during her weekly rides, departing from downtown Bradenton. In just 45 minutes, she enjoys the scenic trip to Bridge Street Pier.

“Oh, I love it,” she exclaimed. “It’s wonderful!”

A passenger since the service’s January launch, she fondly recalls using the ferry to attend karaoke at Anna Maria City Pier, allowing her to avoid traffic altogether.

The purpose of the ferry service is to reduce road congestion for both residents and tourists, and it’s making an impact. According to the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, there were approximately 13,000 fewer cars on the roads in 2024, with expectations that this will increase to around 20,000 by year-end.

Wilson reflects on her past struggles with traffic: “I’ve spent an hour and a half stuck, my engine running, while people cut me off.”

Currently operating with just two stops, more will soon follow. The Bureau is focusing on new locations at Coquina Beach, Cortez Marina, and Palmetto near Estuary Park. “People in Cortez are thrilled about the new stop; it’ll make trips to Bradenton much easier for them,” she notes.

With ridership climbing to 29,000 this year, Wilson encourages others to experience the ferry. “It’s revitalizing,” she remarks.

This service offers a refreshing perspective on traveling to Manatee County’s top destinations, and with the anticipated new stops, Wilson believes the experience will only improve.

The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has confirmed that the Coquina Beach stop is expected to open by Thanksgiving, with stops in Palmetto and Anna Maria City Pier projected for 2026.

The Gulf Islands Ferry operates from Wednesdays through Sundays.