Anna Maria · Where we shoot

Bean Point, Anna Maria: Photo Guide & Family Sessions

At the northern tip of Anna Maria Island, where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf, Bean Point is the sunset the postcards promise — wide, soft white sand, water on two sides, and hardly a building in sight. It’s our single favorite place to photograph families, and one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida.

Book a Session Here or call (941) 404-5340

Know before you go

Where: Northern tip of Anna Maria Island, at the end of North Shore Drive
Access: Sandy public paths off N Shore Dr and Gladiolus St — a short walk over the dune
Parking: No lot — limited street parking nearby; most visitors walk, bike, or take a golf cart
Facilities: None — no restrooms, no lifeguards, no concessions. It stays wild, and that’s the charm
Sand: Wide, soft, and white, with sea oats on the dunes and open sky in every direction
Best light: The hour before sunset — the point faces west and north, so the sky goes full panorama

⚠ Photos, not swimming

Bean Point is a designated no-swim area — strong currents run where the bay meets the Gulf. It’s spectacular for photos and ankle-deep splashing at the shoreline, but not a swimming beach. No lifeguards are on duty.

Why Bean Point is special

This is where the bay meets the Gulf, and the water wraps around the sand in a way you don’t get anywhere else on the island. There are no condos towering behind you and no crowds packed shoulder to shoulder — just dunes, sea oats, and a horizon that turns pink and gold in the evening. For family photos, that means clean backgrounds and room for kids to run.

How to get there

Bean Point hides at the quiet north end of Anna Maria, past the Rod & Reel Pier neighborhood. Follow North Shore Drive to its end and look for the sandy beach-access paths between the houses — the walk over the dune takes a couple of minutes. There’s no parking lot, so plan to arrive by golf cart, bike, or on foot from a nearby rental; if you’re driving, give yourself extra time to find street parking a few blocks away.

Photos, not swimming

The same meeting of bay and Gulf that makes Bean Point gorgeous also makes it genuinely unsafe for swimming — the currents are strong and the area is a designated no-swim zone. The good news: none of that matters for photos. We keep sessions on the sand and in the shallows at the water’s edge, where little ones can splash ankle-deep while the sky does its thing behind them.

Sessions at Bean Point

Most of our Bean Point sessions are vacationing families staying on the island — we meet you near the access path, walk out together, and time everything around golden hour. It’s equally perfect for big multi-generational island reunions: the beach is wide enough for twenty people without anyone else in the frame.

Sessions at Bean Point

Recent sessions

Family photos at Bean Point

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Book a session

Book your session at Bean Point

One-hour sessions from $400. We handle timing, light, and the meeting spot.

Golden-hour (sunset) time slots add $100 to either package.

See what each plan includes

Check availability or call (941) 404-5340

Plan your visit

Bean Point tips

The walk in takes longer than you’d think — we build it into your session timing and arrival plan.
Golf carts are the island way to get here; most rentals include or rent one.
There are no restrooms — plan a stop before you head to the point.
Summer evenings can pop a storm — we watch the radar and re-time or reschedule together if needed.

Family photo session at Bean Point on Anna Maria Island, Florida

Keep exploring

More places we shoot

Crescent Beach
Beach spot · Siesta Key
Turtle Beach
Beach spot · Siesta Key
South Lido Beach
Beach spot · Lido Key
Anna Maria
City guide — every beach we shoot there

Good to know

Bean Point FAQs

Is it safe to swim at Bean Point?

No — Bean Point is a designated no-swim zone because of strong currents where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf. For photo sessions we stay on the sand and at the water’s edge, which is completely fine (and beautiful).

Is Bean Point open to the public?

Yes. The beach itself is public, reached by sandy access paths at the end of North Shore Drive. There’s no parking lot or facilities — it’s a locals-style beach, which is why it stays quiet.

What is Bean Point known for?

The sunsets. It’s the northernmost tip of Anna Maria Island with water on two sides, unobstructed horizon, and a wide, uncrowded beach — many people call it the best sunset spot on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Is Bean Point worth visiting for family photos?

It’s our favorite session location on the island. Soft white sand, no buildings in the background, and room for kids and big families to spread out — booked as a golden-hour session, it’s hard to beat.