Here's your chance to cruise the waterfront for free.

The Anna Maria Island Water Shuttle Service aboard the Island Pearl will officially launch Monday. And during the month of February the shuttle will offer free service on Mondays.

During February the shuttle will offer service on Mondays and Tuesdays. On Tuesdays the regular water shuttle service (Bradenton to AMI / AMI Local Stops) will cost $5 one-way and $10 for a one-day pass.

The shuttle will serve Anna Maria Island, Downtown Bradenton, Palmetto, and North Longboat Key.

Beginning Tuesday the water shuttle will also offer excursion service along Sarasota Bay between Anna Maria Island and Sarasota’s Marina Jack.

The fee for excursion service will be $10 for adults, $8 for children each way.  Make a reservation and pay ahead of time by calling (941) 780-8010 or pay when you are picked up at a departure point.

Coastal Manatee and Sarasota Counties have a distinctive character and rich maritime heritage. For many of the area’s visitors the service will provide a unique first impression.

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“Her simple roll up windows allow the beautiful Florida weather inside to create our own floating variation on the famous Sarasota School of Architecture ideal of letting the outside in. You won't feel isolated or claustrophobic on board, but rather, experience Florida at its best; on her sparkling waters, in the brilliant sunshine and fresh clean air" said Tracey Dell, owner of the Island Pearl.  “We look forward to offering an exceptional experience to our customers."

The February schedule is as follows:

February 2013 Schedule
Monday / Fare: FREE
Departure times:
Downtown Bradenton - 8:30 am
Twin Dolphin Marina, 1200 1st Ave West
Palmetto - 8:45 am
Regatta Point Marina, 1005 Riverside Drive
Holmes Beach- 10:00 am
Mainsail Marina, 5425 Marina Drive
Bradenton Beach Pier - 10:30 am
Bridgetender Inn Pier, 135 Bridge Street
North Longboat Key – 11:00
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant Pier, 760 Broadway Street,
Bradenton Beach Pier - 11:30 am
Holmes Beach- 12:30 pm
Bradenton Beach Pier- 1:00 pm
North Longboat Key- 1:30 pm
Bradenton Beach Pier- 2:00 pm
Holmes Beach- 2:30 pm
Bradenton Beach Pier- 3:00 pm
North Longboat Key- 3:30 pm
Bradenton Beach Pier- 4:00 pm
Holmes Beach- 4:30 pm
Palmetto – 5:45pm
Arrives Downtown Bradenton- 6:00 pm
 
Tuesday / Fare: One-way $5 / Round Trip - $10
Departure Times:
Downtown Bradenton - 8:00 am
Twin Dolphin Marina, 1200 1st Ave West
Palmetto -  - 8:15 am
Regatta Point Marina, 1005 Riverside Drive
Holmes Beach- 9:30 am
Mainsail Marina, 5425 Marina Drive
Bradenton Beach Pier - 10:00 am
Bridgetender Inn Pier, 135 Bridge Street
Bradenton Beach Pier - 4:30 pm
Holmes Beach- 5:00pm
Palmetto - 6:15 pm
Arrives Downtown Bradenton - 6:30 pm
 
Tuesday / Including Day Trip to downtown Sarasota Marina Jack
Fare: One-way Adults $10 / Kids $8; Round Trip – Adults $20 / Kids $16
Departure Times:
Downtown Bradenton - 8:00 am
Palmetto -  - 8:15 am
Holmes Beach- 9:30 am
Bradenton Beach Pier - 10:00 am
Arrives Sarasota – 11:30am
Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza
Departs Sarasota – 3:00 pm
Bradenton Beach Pier - 4:30 pm
Holmes Beach- 5:00 pm
Palmetto - 6:15 pm
Arrives Downtown Bradenton - 6:30 pm

For more information about the Anna Maria Island Water Shuttle Service visit http://www.amishuttleservice.com/shuttle_service or call (941) 780-8010 and speak with Captain Jeff Stephens.