What To Do on Marco Island

Marco Island is 100 miles of palm tree-lined islands and picturesque turquoise bays. Marco Island is an oasis located at the southern tip of Southwest Florida. Known as Ten Thousand Islands and located 15 miles south of Naples, the area features miles and miles of white sand beaches and the Gulf of Mexico on one side, as well as pristine mangrove estuaries and access points to Everglades National Park on the other.

The natural environment in and around Marco Island provides the perfect backdrop for both relaxing and adventurous activities. And if you like to spend time on the water, then you’ll love opportunities for fishing, boating, dolphin watching, kayaking, canoeing, shelling and more.

The sandbars surrounding Marco Island and beyond are famous for some of the best shelling in the world. Stroll along the sandy shoreline and keep your eyes open for a wide variety of whelks, olive shells, scallops and hundreds of other kinds of seashells. Marco Island is the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands, but there are plenty of hidden, uninhabited islands that are prime for exploring in Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Head out via kayak, canoe or boat and weave through mangrove-lined estuaries. You might even spot manatees, sea otters, alligators, crocodiles, wood storks, brown and white pelicans, roseate spoonbills, herons, egrets and more.

Marco Island is home to several ancient burial mounds and other artifacts dating back to the Calusa Indians. Archeologists have unearthed artifacts found to be more than 3,000 years old.

There is also plenty to do for the artistically inclined. Featuring a rotating exhibition schedule as well as works of art by locals, browse the gallery at Marco Island Center for the Arts to see what’s currently on display. Set sail on a pirate ship and discover hidden treasure. You can also spend your time exploring at Rookery Bay and Briggs Boardwalk Nature Center. This is a half mile boardwalk loop that showcases habitats of the local ecosystem and you will also be surrounded by a bird watchers paradise. The Rookery Bay Reserve is one of 29 protected reserves in the US and the only remaining in tact mangrove habitat.

You can also visit a variety of specialty shops and resort boutiques in Marco Island and you’ll find everything from tropical-inspired swimming suits to funky souvenirs. Finally, one of the best adventures you can have is to hop on a wave-runner and explore the crystal clear waters surrounding Marco Island.