--- title: The Islands Blog | Florida Waterfront Homes | manatee county description: manatee county | Learn more about the active community of Islands Development Group on the Manatee River by reading our blog for current news about the Florida Gulf Coast region. --- [![Logo](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo.png?width=450&name=Logo.png "Logo")](https://www.theislandsrealty.com) [![Logo](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo.png?width=300&name=Logo.png "Logo")](https://www.theislandsrealty.com) - [HOME](https://www.theislandsrealty.com) - [LOCATION](https://www.theislandsrealty.com/location) - [LIFESTYLE](https://www.theislandsrealty.com/lifestyle) - [COMMUNITY](https://www.theislandsrealty.com/community) - [RESIDENCES](https://www.theislandsrealty.com/residences) - NEWS/EVENTS - [OUR BLOG](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com) - [PHOTO GALERY & VIDEOS](https://www.theislandsrealty.com/media-gallery) - [CONTACT US](https://www.theislandsrealty.com/contact-us) ![banner-blog](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/banner-blog.png?width=1920&height=595&name=banner-blog.png "banner-blog") # OUR BLOG [![Pier22.jpg](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hubfs/Pier22.jpg)](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/top-6-dock-and-dine-restaurants-on-the-manatee-river) ## [Top 6 Dock and Dine Restaurants on The Manatee River](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/top-6-dock-and-dine-restaurants-on-the-manatee-river) August 1, 2020 photo: http://pier22dining.com/ Florida's coast offers white, sandy beaches, year-round sunshine, and delicious cuisine. From gourmet restaurants to casual outdoor tiki bars, you'll find food, drinks and entertainment for great dock and dine enjoyment. Take a look at six boating restaurants you ... [SEE MORE](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/top-6-dock-and-dine-restaurants-on-the-manatee-river) [![schoolchoice.jpeg](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hubfs/schoolchoice.jpeg)](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/many-school-options-for-your-children-in-manatee-county) ## [Many School Options for Your Children in Manatee County](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/many-school-options-for-your-children-in-manatee-county) August 7, 2019 Bordered on the north by Tampa Bay, and to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, the Manatee County School District is home to more than 44,000 students and 7,000 educators. Across the street from The Islands on the Manatee River, you will find the new Annie Lucy Williams Elementary School. Additionally, ... [SEE MORE](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/many-school-options-for-your-children-in-manatee-county) [![](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hubfs/MeetYourNeighbors.jpg)](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/friendly-neighbors-takes-on-new-meaning-on-the-manatee-river) ## [“Friendly Neighbors” Takes on New Meaning on the Manatee River](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/friendly-neighbors-takes-on-new-meaning-on-the-manatee-river) May 14, 2018 The Manatee River is a lush and peaceful waterway located near Sarasota and Bradenton on Florida’s west coast. In this pristine natural environment, many new homeowners are getting to know the locals up close and personal. The Manatee River is teeming with many diverse forms of wildlife and it ... [SEE MORE](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/friendly-neighbors-takes-on-new-meaning-on-the-manatee-river) [![](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hubfs/FortHammerBridge.png)](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/fort-hamer-bridge-is-scheduled-to-open-october-18th) ## [Fort Hamer Bridge is scheduled to open October 18th](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/fort-hamer-bridge-is-scheduled-to-open-october-18th) October 11, 2017 The long-anticipated Fort Hamer Bridge on the Manatee River is now scheduled to open Oct. 18. The bridge will link Fort Hamer Road on the north shore and Upper Manatee River Road on the south shore, providing a north-south route spanning the Manatee River that will be an alternative to Interstate ... [SEE MORE](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/fort-hamer-bridge-is-scheduled-to-open-october-18th) [![](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hubfs/FortHamer-bridge.jpg)](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/1500-expected-for-fort-hamer-bridge-run) ## [1,500 expected for Fort Hamer Bridge run](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/1500-expected-for-fort-hamer-bridge-run) June 16, 2017 There could be as many as 1,500 runners taking part in the inaugural Fort Hamer Bridge 5K and 10K runs. The event, scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Aug. 26 prior to the grand opening of the bridge to vehicle traffic, is stirring excitement in the running community. “It’s unbelievable,” event planner Doug ... [SEE MORE](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/1500-expected-for-fort-hamer-bridge-run) [![](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hs-fs/hub/465801/file-2561609813.png)](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/in-the-media-manatee-county-fort-hamer-bridge-construction) ## [In the Media: Manatee County Fort Hamer Bridge Construction](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/in-the-media-manatee-county-fort-hamer-bridge-construction) March 3, 2015 Exciting things are underway in Manatee County as the dream of the Fort Hamer bridge comes closer to reality! [SEE MORE](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/in-the-media-manatee-county-fort-hamer-bridge-construction) ### Social Networks - - - - ### Newsletter Subscribe for New Blog Posts And Images.up to date form your inbox! ### Popular Posts ![feature image](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_122890328.jpeg) [Best Places to Fish in the Bradenton Area](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/best-places-to-fish-in-the-bradenton-area) October 24, 2018 ![feature image](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hubfs/DSC_6898-1.jpg) [Rio Vista Estates - over 75% SOLD OUT](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/our-new-neighborhood-rio-vista-estates) May 24, 2023 ### Categories - [The Islands on the Manatee River (58)](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/topic/the-islands-on-the-manatee-river) - [boating and golf community (32)](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/topic/boating-and-golf-community) - [Waterfront community Sarasota Florida (29)](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/topic/waterfront-community-sarasota-florida) ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hubfs/DSC_6898-1.jpg) [Rio Vista Estates - over 75% SOLD OUT](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/our-new-neighborhood-rio-vista-estates) May 24, 2023 ![feature image](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hubfs/TheIslands-Boat-ManateeRiver.jpg) [Boating News | JUNE 2023](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/boating-news-february-2021) May 24, 2023 ![feature image](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hubfs/The-Islands-Local-Holiday-Guide-2020-v3.jpg) [All You’ll Want For Christmas: 15 Local Holiday Events for 2020](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/all-youll-want-for-christmas-15-local-holiday-events-for-2020) December 18, 2020 ![feature image](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hubfs/4.png) [How To Create A More Luxurious Outdoor Florida Living Space](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/how-to-create-a-more-luxurious-outdoor-florida-living-space) November 15, 2020 ![feature image](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hubfs/3.png) [5 Health Benefits Of Living In A Lakewood Ranch Gated Community](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/5-health-benefits-of-living-in-a-lakewood-ranch-gated-community) November 1, 2020 - [REQUEST BROCHURE](https://www.theislandsrealty.com/home?scrollto=the-form-brochure) - [CONTACT US](https://www.theislandsrealty.com/contact-us) - [941.208.1213](tel:9412081213) Do you want to live in paradise? [![CLICK HERE](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/465801/a96f345f-2300-45ec-a018-15623fa6f3e3.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/465801/a96f345f-2300-45ec-a018-15623fa6f3e3) [![Logo](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo.png?width=738&name=Logo.png "Logo")](https://liveattheislands.com) It’s a brand new day at The Islands. The new Fort Hamer Bridge brings Lakewood Ranch, I-75, Bradenton and Sarasota within minutes of our gated paradise. Expansive 1/2-acre-plus homesites allow for waterfront living in a highly sought after area. This is the lifestyle that you have always imagined, without compromise. - - - ### SITE NAVIGATION - [Home](https://www.theislandsrealty.com) - [Location](https://www.theislandsrealty.com/location) - [News/Events](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com) - [Lifestyle](https://www.theislandsrealty.com/lifestyle) - [Community](https://www.theislandsrealty.com/community) - [Residences](https://www.theislandsrealty.com/residences) - [Contact Us](https://www.theislandsrealty.com/contact-us) ### Subscribe To Newsletter ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### LATEST NEWS ![feature image](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hubfs/DSC_6898-1.jpg) [Rio Vista Estates - over 75% SOLD OUT](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/our-new-neighborhood-rio-vista-estates) 24 May, 2023 ![feature image](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/hubfs/TheIslands-Boat-ManateeRiver.jpg) [Boating News | JUNE 2023](https://blog.theislandsrealty.com/boating-news-february-2021) 24 May, 2023 Privacy Policy • Site Map | The Islands on The Manatee River © 2026