Tucked on Sarasota Bay, Coquina Beach Boat Ramp South is a saltwater launch that gives Manatee County boaters direct access to some of the region's most fishable water. It's the kind of ramp locals keep in their rotation — close to home, reliably usable, and a quick run to open water. With 4 launch lanes, it can handle a busy weekend crowd without the usual bottleneck. As of the last FWC inventory update, launching is free here.

At a glance

County: Manatee
City: Bradenton Beach
Waterbody: Sarasota Bay
Water type: Salt or Brackish Water
Ramp type: Stand Alone Ramp
Launch lanes: 4
Ramp surface: Concrete
Dock: Both Launch and Staging Dock
Parking surface: Not Paved - Gravel/Limestone/Packed Soil
Trailer parking: 24
Restroom: Flush Toilet
Fee required: No
Managed by: Manatee County
Status: Open for Business

Address: SO. Gulf DR. (SR 789) on Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, FL, 34217 · Coordinates: 27.447835, -82.688993

Where it is

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Marker location from the FWC boat ramp inventory.

What to know before you launch

Rinse your trailer and engine with fresh water after launching in salt — corrosion is the enemy on Florida's coast.
Even with multiple lanes, prep in the staging area first so you're not tying up a lane while loading gear.
Always check current tides, wind, and marine forecasts before you launch — Florida afternoons can turn stormy fast.

Tides at the nearest station

The closest NOAA tide station is Port Manatee, about 15 miles away. Here are today's predicted highs and lows (referenced to MLLW):

High tide

6:00 AM

1.522 ft (MLLW)

Low tide

10:07 AM

1.198 ft (MLLW)

High tide

4:12 PM

2.226 ft (MLLW)

Low tide

11:43 PM

0.19 ft (MLLW)

See the 7-day tide chart →

Gear for a day on Sarasota Bay

Heading out from Coquina Beach Boat Ramp South? A few essentials make any Florida launch smoother — a reliable chartplotter, a properly sized life jacket for everyone aboard, and a cooler that survives the heat.

Best marine GPS chartplotters — navigate the flats and channels with confidence.
Best life jackets (PFDs) — Florida law requires one per person aboard.
Best coolers for boats — keep your catch and drinks cold in the sun.

Ramp data from the FWC Florida Boat Ramp Inventory (Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission). Tide predictions from NOAA CO-OPS station 8726384. Conditions change — verify status locally before you go. This site is not for navigation.