Holmes Beach is a city upon Anna Maria Island in Manatee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 3,010, down from 3,836 at the 2010 census. It is portion of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city occupies the central part of Anna Maria Island and is one of three municipalities on the island. The others are Bradenton Beach in the south and Anna Maria in the north.

Holmes Beach was named for John E. Holmes Sr., the property developer who started this planned community after World War II. During World War II, Holmes was stationed in Tampa. Holmes obtained the raptness of three others, Frank B. Giles of Georgia, Pedar Mickelsen of Minnesota and Francis Karel of Chicago, to help develop it. In 1947 or 1948 a little airport was built. One person had a aircraft at the landing field and used it as an air taxi during the tourist season and was used by residents and visitors taking them to wherever they wanted to go. Holmes Beach was incorporated on March 13, 1950, during a meeting more or less incorporating gone 46 voting in favor, 13 adjacent to and 1 in abstention. Opponents of fascination argued that tax allowance from cigarettes and liquor sales would be drifting along afterward county guidance for road maintenance. Those in accord of amalgamation argued that it would be easier for lenders to finance additional construction on the island and have enough money local residents an equal weight for their voice in their own government. Despite a request not to use anyone’s name, Holmes Beach was settled on, although names such as Palm City, Mid-Island Beach, Coquina Beach and Tarpon Beach were considered as well. At the terminate of the meeting the city’s first officials were elected.

Manatee Public Beach located at the intersection of Manatee Avenue and Gulf Drive opened in 1952 originally as Manatee County Public Beach. It was managed by a local Kiwanis Club chapter, with everything proceeds going to local charity-related initiatives. During the 1950s and 1960s the seashore was racially segregated afterward many others in the Southeastern United States. It is not clear, however, when the beach was officially desegregated. The beach was renamed “Manatee Beach” before being distorted to Manatee Public Beach.

In 1954, Holmes Beach annexed the adjacent to subdivision communities of Ilexhurst, Jones, and Casanas, bringing the entirety of Anna Maria Island below municipal governments.