Coquina Bay

A Florida Treasure in Your Own Backyard

As a recreational haven without rival, southwest Florida offers many of the most in-demand beaches, parks, and recreational facilities anywhere in North America. Fishing and water sports, golf and tennis, hiking and bicycling are only the beginning of the inexhaustible recreational opportunities the Sarasota area offers. More than 200 beautiful parks, 100 athletic fields, and 35 miles of pristine white beaches provide something for everyone.

Residents of Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria Island are blessed with a true Florida treasure right in their backyard, 17 unspoiled and untamed acres of preserved, primeval Florida wetland territory. Across from Coquina Beach and jutting into Sarasota Bay, Coquina Bay Walk at Leffis Key is a water-and-mangrove forest where you’ll come face-to-face with blue crabs and fiddler crabs, wading birds and whelks, and much, much more, all in an authentic, primitive Florida setting. Coquina Bay Walk at Leffis Key also offers birding, fishing, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, and more. It’s a great — and educational — experience for the entire family, and it’s entirely free!

Once Abandoned now A Treasure

At one time it was an abandoned, overgrown “spoil island” but today Leffis Key has been enhanced, restored, and serves the southwest Florida community by directly protecting the coastal environment as well as offering educational programs and keeping the public aware of the need for healthy coastal wetlands. The restoration process at Leffis Key included the creation of a 26-foot hill that offers awe-inspiring, 360-degree views of Sarasota Bay and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. Native plants including sea oats, sea grapes, southern red cedar, and sunflowers were planted around the hill, making a quite beautiful (as well as environmentally sound) impact. Boardwalks offer access to all parts of the preserve, with viewing platforms set at strategic locations. Signs throughout the preserve explain the plant and animal life to visitors.

Coquina Bay Walk at Leffis Key is open daily to the public from 8:00 a.m. to sunset, it’s always free, and there’s always plenty of free parking. Fishing is available from boardwalks along the Intracoastal Waterway. Many of the paths at Coquina Bay Walk are handicapped-accessible. Sorry, no dogs are allowed. Coquina Bay Walk at Leffis Key is just one of the many, many reasons homebuyers choose Anna Maria Island.

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