The Gulf Islands Ferry is expanding its weekly schedule to include Wednesday service starting this week.
Using two 50-foot catamarans, the waterway route will now ferry residents and visitors between the Bradenton Riverwalk Pier and the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach weekly from Wednesday through Sunday. Routes depart from downtown Bradenton between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., and island departures occur between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The ferry launched in early 2024 and is part of a broader initiative to offer alternative transportation options in Manatee County to help alleviate traffic congestion from residents and visitors with lodging near the downtown Bradenton area. It is supported by tourist development tax revenue.
A third vessel, the Manatee Belle, is also in the works. It will offer faster, fully enclosed service in addition to the two ADA-accessible pontoon catamarans already in operation. It could be ready by mid-summer, and will feature 67 enclosed seats with air conditioning, and an additional 30 seats outside.
The ferry previously offered another route to the city of Anna Maria, but the city pier was destroyed by hurricanes Helene and Milton. The service cannot resume until repairs are made, but officials are actively working to expand available routes.
Visit gulfislandsferry.com for up-to-date run times, or call the Gulf Islands Ferry customer service line at 727-200-6487.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Gulf Islands Ferry service from Bradenton to Anna Maria Island expands to five days a week
Reporting by Jesse Mendoza, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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