Marco Island is positioned about one hour south of Fort Myers and two hours west of Miami on Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast. It is a part of the Ten Thousand Islands on the southern tip of Florida’s Paradise Coast and is a well-liked weekend getaway vacation spot for Floridians and East Coasters. While the extensive, white sand seaside on the Gulf of Mexico attracts seaside lovers, there are many different enjoyable issues to do in Marco Island.
This trip vacation spot gives a mixture of high-end resorts and trip leases, however doesn’t entice the identical crowds as Naples, Marco Island’s neighbor half-hour to the north. Located simply north of the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve, there may be loads of nature to discover past the motels.
Fun Things to do in Marco Island, Florida
Note: This publish might comprise affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
We spent 5 days in Marco Island and Naples for a pre-Christmas getaway. We have visited the Florida Keys and the Gulf Coast up to now, however we actually fell in love with Marco Island.
The seaside isn’t that sugar-soft white sand of Clearwater, however looking at that extensive stretch of white sand lined with palm bushes and seaside cabanas made it really feel that we traveled a lot additional south than a three-hour direct flight from Providence to Fort Myers.
These are a number of the greatest issues to do in Marco Island or see extra issues to do on the Paradise Coast:
1. Go for a Dolphin Watch
The Dolphin Explorer eco-tour was the primary exercise I booked when planning my journey to Marco Island. Unfortunately, the rain and a small craft advisory put a damper on my plans, however I’ll should strive once more after I return.
This three-hour eco-tour introduces guests to the dolphins of the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge and the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The tour additionally features a cease on a Barrier Beach for some shelling.
The Dolphin Explorer is positioned at 951 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island, FL
2. Shell and Sunbathe on South Marco Island Beach
Tigertail Beach and South Marco Island Beach are the very best on the island. There are a number of entry factors and public parking alongside the seaside, plus that is the place you’ll discover most of the motels and resorts.
You might need to carry alongside water footwear to keep away from the sharper shells and plan to get the shelling stoop as you bend over choosing a number of the greatest shells to take residence.
3. Go Paddling
You can hire a kayak or paddle board from Parco Marco to paddle by means of mangroves or discover the outer barrier islands and sand bars.
Parco Marco is positioned at Caxambas Park, 909 Collier Ct, Marco Island, FL
If you don’t need to discover by yourself, Marco Island Boat Tours additionally runs boat-assisted eco-kayak excursions that embrace a strolling tour with a naturalist.
Marco Island Boat Tours is positioned at Goodland Boating Park, 740 Palm Point Drive, Goodland, FL
4. Make a Splash with Marco Island Watersports
If you’re prepared for some journey and pleasure, Marco Island Watersports gives wave runner leases, parasailing, and banana boat rides. You can discover Marco Island Watersports on the JW Marriott Marco Island.
Marco Island Watersports is positioned on the JW Marriott Marco Island, 400 S. Collier Blvd., Marco Island, FL
5. Eat Stone Crab Claws
If you go to between mid-October and May, you will need to make it some extent to strive some native stone crab claws. You will discover them on many menus, however if you’d like them contemporary, head all the way down to Goodland or Everglades City. City Seafood is without doubt one of the many institutions in Everglades City to supply contemporary seafood to go or eat at its waterfront restaurant and tiki bar.
City Seafood is positioned at 702 Begonia St, Everglades City, FL
6. Take a Sunset Cruise
The Gulf Coast of Florida is understood for its spectacular sunsets. While you’ll be able to recognize the sundown from a seaside, you may also take a sundown cruise to see the wonder from each angle. There are many choices, however if you wish to mix dinner with a sundown cruise, the Marco Island Princess gives sundown dinner cruises from Rose Marina.
Marco Island Princess is positioned at Rose Marina, 951 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island, FL
7. Visit the Marco Island Historical Museum
If you want a wet day exercise, the Marco Island Historical Museum gives perception into Southwest Florida’s Calusa Indians. The museum consists of artifacts courting again so far as the late 1800s.
Marco Island Historical Museum is positioned at 180 S. Heathwood Dr. Marco Island, FL
8. Take an Airboat Tour
In Marco Island, you’re lower than an hour away from the Everglades and it’s a good alternative to take an airboat tour. There are many choices, however we selected to go along with Wootens Airboat excursions. They provide each 30-minute airboat excursions by means of the mangroves and grasslands, in addition to a 30-minute Swamp Buggy Tour that brings you thru the river of grass of the Everglades.
You will get to see alligators, birds, and different wildlife. Wootens additionally has an animal sanctuary with rescued alligators and gives kayaking as properly.
Wootens is positioned at 32330 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL
9. Visit Big Cypress Nature Reserve
Big Cypress Swamp is a freshwater swamp that helps the marine estuaries alongside Florida’s southwest coast. Big Cypress National Preserve covers 729,000 acres and is residence to a variety of crops and wildlife, together with the Florida panther.
The Big Cypress Welcome Center is open within the winter and gives repeatedly scheduled Ranger-led swamp walks, canoe/kayak journeys, bike rides, and different particular actions and occasions.
Big Cypress Nature Preserve is positioned at 33100 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL
10. Explore Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
Southwest of Marco Island you’ll discover the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, the most important state park in Florida. The park is residence to bald cypress forests, native royal palms, and orchids. Visitors can stroll the Big Cypress Bend boardwalk to a virgin cypress strand or take guided swamp walks or tram excursions from November by means of April. This park is ideal for nature lovers, kayakers, and chicken watchers.
The Fakahatchee Strand Preserve is positioned at 137 Coastline Dr, Copeland, Fl
11. See Everglades National Park
Located on the sting of the Everglades, you’d be remiss to skip exploring a little bit of this huge wetland that covers 1.5 million acres. There are three entrances, together with one in Everglades City simply 40 minutes south of Marco Island.
From this location, you’ll be able to take a 90-minute Ten Thousand Islands Cruise, hire canoes or kayaks, or take a guided canoe or kayak tour.
12. Go Fishing
Marco Island is without doubt one of the greatest locations for year-round sport fishing. You will discover Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, and Sea Trout across the Ten Thousand Islands. If you select to exit deeper into the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll be able to catch Grouper, Snapper, King Mackeral, Little Tuni, shark, and Cobia.
13. Visit Miccosukee Indian Village
If you’re prepared to go somewhat additional afield or you’re driving throughout Alligator Alley to Miami, you’ll be able to go to the Miccosukee Indian Village within the Everglades. Here you’ll be able to see alligator demonstrations, take an airboat tour, and be taught in regards to the Miccosukee lifestyle.
Miccosukee Indian Village is positioned at Mile Marker 36, US-41, Miami, FL 33194
Where to Stay on Marco Island
We actually cherished our keep on the JW Marriott Marco Island. The foyer is styled a bit like a Polynesian resort, placing you within the trip temper. The resort gives two swimming pools, one with a zero-entry, a small waterslide, and a splash space for babies. Your resort payment consists of seaside chairs and repair on the resort’s part of the general public seaside, which stretches extensive with white sand.
However, in contrast to Clearwater, this sand is coarse with crushed shells, a part of what makes Sanibel and Captiva to the north so nice for shelling. The water is the standard blue-green of the Gulf Coast, with small waves making it very family-friendly. I might simply suggest bringing water footwear and a string bag for shell accumulating.
Each evening at sundown, Quinn’s by the seaside places on a day by day sundown celebration with flame torch juggling. Families collect round to observe this enjoyable custom. The JW Marriott Marco Island has 12 eating choices, together with a frozen yogurt store and low store serving up Illy espresso.
One of our favourite options was 10K Alley, which is a gastro pub with over 60 craft beers and a gaming arcade. The arcade is open to youngsters till 10 pm and consists of mini-golf, bowling, skeeball, digital actuality video games, and tons of enjoyable arcade video games. You must buy a recreation card to play, however it was a really enjoyable solution to spend a night or wet afternoon.
I booked our keep utilizing American Express factors, which was a a lot better deal than utilizing Marriott factors. Plus by reserving by means of AmEx Travel, we obtained the Fine Hotels & Resorts advantages together with a $100 resort credit score, free continental breakfast for 2, late checkout, early check-in upon availability, and upgrades upon availability (nothing was accessible for us since we have been visiting proper earlier than Christmas.)
Check charges and evaluations on TripAdvisor!
Looking for extra Florida trip concepts?
PIN THIS FOR LATER
