A man drowned Friday in the water between Bean Point and Passage Key after a large wave pulled him under, according to city leaders on Anna Maria Island. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has not released his name, and the investigation remains open. It’s the latest loss at a spot with a well-documented history of water rescues and drownings, including a string of incidents in September 2025.
That stretch of beach sits on residential property, which means no lifeguard tower. After the 2025 incidents, Anna Maria passed an emergency ordinance banning swimming at Bean Point. The ban was vetoed after about a week, leaving the city with signs, code enforcement, and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office patrols as its main tools. Mayor Mark Short said the city warns people to stay out of the water because of the currents, adding that “the signs are there 24/7, and we just hope people will heed the advice.”
For locals, Bean Point’s reputation is well known. For the millions of tourists who visit Gulf Coast beaches every year, it often isn’t. That gap is at the heart of the debate over who’s responsible for protecting swimmers on private beachfront, and whether signs alone can carry that weight. If you’re heading out to the beach this week, check conditions before you go and take rip current warnings seriously. Have you ever changed your beach plans because of a warning sign? Tell us on our Facebook page.
