Palma Sola, FL

Bradenton

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


Palma Sola Hotel Deals

Kompose Boutique Hotel

Kompose Boutique Hotel

3 out of 5
965 University Pkwy Sarasota FL
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5,076 reviews)
Beautiful place, great rooms however the bed wasn’t comfortable

Reviewed on 24 February 2026

Kompose Boutique Hotel
Golden Host Resort - Sarasota

Golden Host Resort - Sarasota

3 out of 5
4675 N Tamiami Trl Sarasota FL
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,290 reviews)
Paul in the Tiki bar was great. Sheri at the desk was super friendly.

Reviewed on 23 February 2026

Golden Host Resort - Sarasota
RumFish Beach at TradeWinds

RumFish Beach at TradeWinds

4 out of 5
6000 Gulf Blvd St. Pete Beach FL
The price is AED 871 per night from Feb 25 to Feb 26
AED 871
AED 1,213 total
25 Feb - 26 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach resort in St. Pete Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 outdoor pools, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,655 reviews)
Very clean room, a surprise upgrade, wonderful stafg

Reviewed on 23 February 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 AED 996 per night from Mar 4 to Mar 5
AED 996
AED 1,354 total
4 Mar - 5 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach resort in St. Pete Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 outdoor pools, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,021 reviews)
Room was nice but small area for coffee and sink Find it insulting that they charge you $25 to park your own car- not valet. Like u have any other choice if you drove to resort. At the room price and resort fee- parking should be free!!!!!!!

Reviewed on 22 February 2026

Island Grand at TradeWinds
Tropical Beach Resorts

Tropical Beach Resorts

3.5 out of 5
6717 Sara Sea Circle Siesta Key FL
The price is AED 946 per night from Feb 25 to Feb 26
AED 946
AED 1,165 total
25 Feb - 26 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Siesta Key. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (5,325 reviews)
clean room, staff was extremely friendly and helpful, was able to hold our luggage all day once we checked out. Property was clean and so close to beach!

Reviewed on 23 February 2026

Tropical Beach Resorts
Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound

4 out of 5
12324 Manatee Avenue West Bradenton FL
The price is AED 1,058 per night from Mar 11 to Mar 12
AED 1,058
AED 1,300 total
11 Mar - 12 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Bradenton. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,969 reviews)
Rooms are half cleaned and not up to par. Stains that look like blood on the curtains. If you stand back from the sinks you can see a black dirt/mold ring at the top. Drain in bathroom has mold and stinks back of shower had hair and dirt because it had not been rinsed out. Room smells bad. When you ...

Reviewed on 24 February 2026

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound
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.

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Other neighborhoods around Palma Sola

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Shore Acre Heights

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

Shore Acre Heights
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Belair Bayou

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

Belair Bayou
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Harbor Hills

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

Harbor Hills
Path to a Gulf of Mexico beach in Bradenton Beach on the west coast of Florida

West Bradenton

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

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

River District

River District 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.

River District
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Pine Lakes

Though Pine Lakes might 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, FL

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