Things to Do in Marco Island

Marco Island's population of 10,000 balloons to more than 30,000 during the winter months. The tropical climate is a considerable attraction to the area with the water being the next major attraction. Beachfront hotels, upscale resorts, private homes and condominiums line the stark white sandy beaches. Hotels offer heated swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms, massage therapy, miniature golf, fitness centers, game rooms, tennis courts, water sport rentals, baby-sitting service, children's programs and nightly entertainment. Guests have no reason to leave the grounds for food, fun and relaxation, but of Marco Island Beach Toys

course you must.

Tigertail Beach

Tigertail Public Beach is on the northern section of the island and has a sandbar and a shallow lagoon: the perfect spot to practice the great sport of windsurfing. Tigertail Beach Rentals conducts windsurfing lessons and shelling tours. Their rental equipment contains cabanas, umbrellas, chairs, sailboats and other water toys. Rest rooms, children's playground, volleyball nets and outdoor showers are available. An exhibit displays the beautiful shells found in the beach areas.

Todd's at Tigertail serves inexpensive sandwiches, hot dogs, drinks and Marco Island Water Sports snacks. The park is open from dawn to dusk with no admission charge although there is a small parking fee.

Marco Island Catamaran Tours

Captain Quinn's Catamaran Tours has fabulous boating and fishing expeditions. Many marinas rent powerboats, jet skis, wave runners, aqua-trikes, snorkeling gear and bumper tubes. Several marinas take guests para-sailing and windsurfing. Beach Sports rents beach baby strollers, a must for strolling in the sand.

Marco Island Outdoor Activities

Collier Seminole State Park, just a few miles from the island, has primitive Marco Island

camping, canoeing, fishing, boating, picnic grounds, and a mile long nature walk. Narrated boat tours of the park run on a daily basis. Canoe rentals can include camping along the trails.

Briggs Nature Center has a half-mile boardwalk where visitors can observe the wildlife in their natural habitat. Narrated pontoon boat trips, shelling excursions, canoe trips and self-guided canoe trips are available. The nature center is free and is open October to June.

Marco Island Has Catamaran Access to Key West

Cruises, including sightseeing tours through the winding waterways, are another option. Explore the area on an airboat at Factory Bay Marina. Escape to Key West aboard Florida's spacious high-speed catamaran which includes complimentary breakfast and dinner.

Cruises into the Gulf of Mexico

The Rosie is an old-fashioned 105-foot long paddlewheel boat which serves Marco Island Beach

lunch and dinner onboard. The Royal Princess Casino Cruises has daily cruises in the winter. The Gulf Stream Falcon departs at 8 am for Key West with live entertainment. When you have had enough of the emerald green water, head for the greens.

You can golf at Marco Shores or Marriott's Golf Club, where signs tell you not to disturb the alligators. Tennis and racquetball courts are nearby. For some relaxation and education, hop on the Marco Island Trolley and tour the town. Visit the ancient Calusa Indian Mounds and find out what attracted the tribe of Paleo-Indians to the area. The Calusa were accomplished fishermen and artists, painting clay masks to perfection and weaving intricate fishing nets. They were fierce warriors who wore intricate jewelry and minimal clothing. Browse the shops for unique jewelry and artifacts influenced by these first settlers.

Captain Bill Collier and his sleepy little village received fame when he dug up the Key Marco Cat. Three of the original buildings in the Olde Marco area still stand today and are wonderful restaurants. Captain Bill's relatives still live on Marco Island.

Restaurants are many and wonderful and feature scrumptious seafood.