Banana Wind

787 North Shore Drive

Anna Maria, Florida  34216

Welcome to our beach house!  Sand dunes and shore birds abound on this pristine stretch of shoreline.  The house is in excellent condition, including many new features and furnishings.  The master bedroom has a king-sized bed, with a queen in the the second bedroom, and two twins in the third.  Very clean and comfortable.  The views of sea, shore and sky are the finest to be found!

Everything is included to have a great time on the beach, including beach towels, chairs, umbrellas and toys.

Anna Maria Island is a 7 mile long barrier island on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Banking and shopping facilities are available on the island, as well as a variety of restaurants (German, French, Italian, Japanese & lots of seafood spots).

Weather:  Here are average temperature statistics for recent years:

                      It’s hot in the summer, but here on the beach, there’s almost always a breeze passing through, moderating the heat.

The most glorious aspect of the weather here is the profusion of sunshine!  Rain almost invariably comes in the form of thundershowers that come and go in a matter of minutes.  The actual number of "rainy days" in a year you can count on your fingers.

We're situated at the north end of the island, a short walk from picturesque Bean Point. The north end of the island is quiet and secluded. Even on the busiest weekend of the year, Easter, it is not crowded. The sun sets into the Gulf of Mexico every evening to end the day. It is a residential neighborhood, with no high rises, and no condos or other multiple unit dwellings. It is a wonderful area for walking, jogging, biking or bird-watching.

The photo above was taken directly in front of the house.

Wildlife:  We are located in a great place to view wildlife. Porpoises (bottle-nosed dolphins) are commonly seen swimming in groups in the gulf.

Anna Maria Island is a major nesting area for several species of sea turtles, including the huge Loggerheads.  In most years, there are about 100-200 nests on the island.

Just off from Bean Point is Bird Island, an unbelievably dense nesting area, including gulls, terns, sandpipers, pelicans, and others.  The beach and nearby streets are wonderful for bird-watching.  You can see mourning doves, parrots, parakeets, brown and white pelicans, many species of gulls and terns, willets and other sandpipers, herons, oystercatchers, and skimmers.  Ducks, loons, and cormorants are found just off shore.

Golf:  Many public and semi-private golf courses are located within Manatee and Sarasota counties.  Conservatively, you can reach 20 fine courses within an hour’s drive.

Amenities:  Air-conditioning, BBQ grill, washer/dryer, linens included, spacious gulfside kitchen with breakfast bar, dishwasher, microwave and conventional ovens, stove top, toaster, garbage disposal, coffeemaker, blender, mixer, dishes/utensils provided, cable TV, VCR, DVD, 28’ screened lanai facing beach, vaulted living room ceiling, telephone with answering machine, sleeper sofa, huge picture window facing beach, six ceiling fans (in all three bedrooms, the living room, the dining room and the kitchen), tile floors throughout.

Unlike many rental properties, we are fully licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.  This means that we comply with the safety and sanitation standards established by the state for lodging establishments.

Also available on the island: Crib, bicycle, other rentals; bus service; packaging services.  The Anna Maria post office is less than one mile from the house. There is a medical clinic and ambulance service available on the island.  Medical centers are located about 20 minutes away in Bradenton.

Driving times (in minutes):  Bradenton - 15; Sarasota airport - 30; Ringling Museum - 30; Mote Aquarium - 35; Sarasota - 35; St. Armand's Circle - 35; Tropicana Field (Devil Rays baseball) - 55; St. Petersburg airport - 60; Tampa airport - 70; Busch Gardens - 90; Disney World - 120 (2 hours); Universal Studios - 135 (2 hours, 15 minutes).

We’re located at the north end of Anna Maria Island, just west of Bradenton.  The island is accessed by way of bridges at the west ends of Manatee Avenue and Cortez Road, the city’s two major east/west arteries.  Go here for specific directions from the region’s major airports.

For more information and to make reservations, call Susan Harris at

610-891-7722 or Betsy Hills Real Estate at 941-778-2291.

You may e-mail inquiries to matthaei@fast.net.

Updated May 3, 2006