A Florida beach popular with tourists is moving to ban swimming in the area

After a man drowned off a popular Anna Maria Island beach over the Labor Day weekend, city officials are speeding up plans to ban swimming in the area.

The death of 20-year-old Abhigyan Patel is the latest of several drownings or near-drownings that have occurred off Bean Point, the beach at the northern tip of Anna Maria Island, where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf. The area is known by locals for its powerful waves and rip currents that can overwhelm even capable swimmers.

Bean Point’s unusual position at the meeting place of two large water bodies, as well as its proximity to a deep shipping channel several miles offshore, are both thought to contribute to dangerous currents in the area.

But with the high volume of tourists visiting Anna Maria Island, some visitors aren’t made aware of the dangers, leading to deadly accidents.

“Safety is our utmost concern, and given the recent drownings and near-drownings in this area, all of which involved visitors to the island, the City and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office believe it is appropriate to establish a no-swim area,” Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short told the Bradenton Herald in an email.

While the city is still finalizing details of a permanent swimming ban, officials installed temporary “No Swimming” signs along Bean Point’s shores ealier this week.

Where is new swim ban on AMI?

Short says a permanent no-swimming zone at Bean Point will extend approximately from the Fern Street beach access point to just beyond the North Bay Boulevard beach access point.

“The currents in this area are extremely dangerous, and the water depth drops off considerably just a few feet from shore,” Short said.

Short noted a no-swim zone also exists at the south end of Anna Maria Island at Longboat Pass “due to similar safety concerns.”

How will no-swim zone be enforced?

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is helping the city enforce the no-swim zone.

“Deputies will continue to patrol the area and warn beachgoers about the dangers of swimming there,” sheriff’s office spokesman Randy Warren said in an email. “Although fines may be imposed in the future, our current focus is on educating people about the reasons behind the no-swim zone.”

Drowning speeds up plan for swim ban

City of Anna Maria officials were already considering a no-swim zone at Bean Point before Patel’s death.

They discussed the issue at an Aug. 28 meeting, where Short asked commissioners to consider no-swimming signs due to a batch of recent incidents.

In one of those cases, a man died of complications after he attempted to rescue his son from a rip current last month, 10 Tampa Bay reported.

Short said Patel’s drowning only weeks later spurred the city into putting out no-swimming signs immediately.

What happens next?

Short said the City of Anna Maria will work with Manatee County Government to establish a permanent no-swimming zone around Bean Point.

This story was originally published September 6, 2025 at 6:55 AM.