Palma Sola Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

EyeEm Custom Shoots Q4 2018
EyeEm Custom Shoots Q4 2018
One of the weirdest wildlife encounters I had in Florida was with this wacky bird! I'm guessing he's an Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga). He stayed nearly completely submerged, swimming underwater, stalking a school of fish. He'd only pop his head up every few minutes for a quick breath or when he'd catch a fish in his mouth sideways. Then he'd pop his head up with the fish in his mouth, flip the fish up in the air and catch it in the correct orientation to swallow it down. Then back underwater for more hunting. This went on for at least 20-25 minutes. I have never seen a bird behave like this. I've seen cormorants dive down and disappear for a half a minute or so, but this was incredible to watch! Palma Sola Botanical Park is a 10 acre botanical garden located in Bradenton. It's beautiful AND free! The park showcases collections of rare palms, fruits, and flowering trees, as well as three lakes, a butterfly garden, gazebo, pavilion, and playground.
One of the weirdest wildlife encounters I had in Florida was with this wacky bird! I'm guessing he's an Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga). He stayed nearly completely submerged, swimming underwater, stalking a school of fish. He'd only pop his head up every few minutes for a quick breath or when he'd catch a fish in his mouth sideways. Then he'd pop his head up with the fish in his mouth, flip the fish up in the air and catch it in the correct orientation to swallow it down. Then back underwater for more hunting. This went on for at least 20-25 minutes. I have never seen a bird behave like this. I've seen cormorants dive down and disappear for a half a minute or so, but this was incredible to watch! Palma Sola Botanical Park is a 10 acre botanical garden located in Bradenton. It's beautiful AND free! The park showcases collections of rare palms, fruits, and flowering trees, as well as three lakes, a butterfly garden, gazebo, pavilion, and playground.
A bright orange cluster of blossoms on a tree. Palma Sola Botanical Park is a 10 acre botanical garden located in Bradenton. It's beautiful AND free! The park showcases collections of rare palms, fruits, and flowering trees, as well as three lakes, a butterfly garden, gazebo, pavilion, and playground.

Popular places to visit

The trunk of the floss silk tree

Palma Sola Botanical Park

Palma Sola Botanical Park is just one of the places to see in Bradenton, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander the beautiful beaches or discover the area's beautiful sunsets.

Palma Sola Botanical Park
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IMG Academy

Enjoy the student vibe when you visit IMG Academy during your travels in Bradenton. Amble around the area's beautiful beaches or attend a sporting event.

IMG Academy
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Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch

You can take time to visit Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch during your travels to Lakewood Ranch. Attend a sporting event in this family-friendly area.

Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch
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LECOM Park

Catch an event at LECOM Park during your trip to Bradenton. Amble around the area's beautiful beaches or attend a sporting event.

LECOM Park
upscale shopping in Lakewood Ranch Main Street area, life work and play in a master planned community

Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

You can do some window-shopping at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch during your trip to Lakewood Ranch. Amble around this family-friendly area's beautiful beaches or attend a sporting event.

Main Street at Lakewood Ranch
BRADENTON RIVERWALK

Riverwalk

Riverwalk is just one of the places to see in Bradenton, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander the beautiful beaches or discover the area's beautiful sunsets.

Riverwalk

Activities

Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach: Parasailing Tour

Anna Maria Island & Bradenton Beach Parasailing Tour

AU$148
per adult
Anna Maria Island & Bradenton Beach Parasailing Tour
Anna Maria Island: The Island Kayak Tour

Anna Maria Island: The Island Kayak Tour

AU$97
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Anna Maria Island: The Island Kayak Tour
Afternoon Parasailing Adventure above the Gulf of Mexico

Parasailing Adventure above the Gulf of Mexico

AU$142
per adult
Parasailing Adventure above the Gulf of Mexico
Clear Kayak LED Night Glass Bottom Tour - Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island - Clear Kayak LED Night Glass Bottom Tour

AU$97
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Anna Maria Island - Clear Kayak LED Night Glass Bottom Tour
Private 4 hr Fishing Tour with Master Captain Bill Phillips

Private 4 hr Fishing Tour with Master Captain Bill Phillips

AU$969
per adult
Private 4 hr Fishing Tour with Master Captain Bill Phillips
Private 8 hour Fishing Activity with Master Captain Bill

Private 8 hour Fishing Activity with Master Captain Bill

AU$1,567
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Private 8 hour Fishing Activity with Master Captain Bill
See all activities in Bradenton

Our pick of the best Palma Sola Hotel Deals

Golden Host Resort - Sarasota

Golden Host Resort - Sarasota

3 out of 5
4675 N Tamiami Trl Sarasota FL
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,241 reviews)
Room was great and the Tiki bar staff were wonderful

Reviewed on 29 Jan 2026

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Golden Host Resort - Sarasota
Kompose Boutique Hotel

Kompose Boutique Hotel

3 out of 5
965 University Pkwy Sarasota FL
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,973 reviews)
Very nice hotel

Reviewed on 30 Jan 2026

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Kompose Boutique Hotel
Tropical Beach Resorts

Tropical Beach Resorts

3.5 out of 5
6717 Sara Sea Circle Siesta Key FL
The price is AU$335 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
AU$335
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Siesta Key. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5,254 reviews)
Amazing job

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

Tropical Beach Resorts
RumFish Beach at TradeWinds

RumFish Beach at TradeWinds

4 out of 5
6000 Gulf Blvd St. Pete Beach FL
The price is AU$336 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
AU$336
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in St. Pete Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 4 outdoor pools and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,605 reviews)
We had a wonderful stay. We will definitely be coming back.

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

RumFish Beach at TradeWinds
Island Grand at TradeWinds

Island Grand at TradeWinds

4 out of 5
5500 Gulf Blvd St. Pete Beach FL
The price is AU$391 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
AU$391
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in St. Pete Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 5 outdoor pools and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
This is a classic older hotel we found it to be clean and well maintained property beautiful plenty of lounging and pools available along with a wonderful beach plenty of activities if you desire or kick back and chill enjoyed a fabulous massage on the beach plenty of great food surrounds you.

Reviewed on 27 Jan 2026

Island Grand at TradeWinds
Bilmar Beach Resort

Bilmar Beach Resort

4 out of 5
10650 Gulf Blvd Treasure Island FL
The price is AU$326 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
AU$326
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Treasure Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,014 reviews)
The accommodations and staff were great!

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026

Bilmar Beach Resort
See all 17,144 properties in Palma Sola
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Palma Sola

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Shore Acre Heights

Shore Acre Heights might not have many top sights, but The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Shore Acre Heights
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Belair Bayou

When in Belair Bayou, you can plan a visit to Palma Sola Bay and The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Belair Bayou
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Harbor Hills

While Harbor Hills isn't home to many top sights, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Harbor Hills
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West Bradenton

While there might not be top attractions in West Bradenton, you can explore the larger area and discover places like The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park.

West Bradenton
Bradenton, Florida, USA Downtown on the Manatee River

River District

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in River District and surrounding area, you can visit The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park.

River District
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Pine Lakes

Though Pine Lakes may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like LECOM Park and The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.

Pine Lakes

Palma Sola Travel Guide

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