The Miss Anna Maria and Downtown Duchess can both hold 49 passengers.
At the start, the ferries will operate Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Gulf Coast Water Taxi operates the service. The company also runs a similar service in Clearwater.
One-way tickets will cost $8 for adults and $6 for senior citizens aged 65 and older. Tickets for children between the age of three and 11 will cost $5 and children under 3 are free.
Current stops are at the city of Bradenton Dry Dock, Anna Maria Island City Pier and the Bridge Street Pier, with a stop on Coquina South Boat Ramp in the works.
Captain Ted Shonts took passengers on the Miss Anna Maria for the Nov. 20 trip.
The ferries both have a restroom on board. Shonts said they are high-speed ferries, able to go upwards of 20 mph. That gives passengers “air conditioning by nature,” according to Shonts.
“It handles like a dream, like a Cadillac,” Shonts said.
Ferry rides from Downtown Bradenton will take about 40 minutes, depending on weather conditions.
