Marco Island is the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands, a stunning chain of islands off Florida’s coast. Despite its closeness to Naples and access to the mainland through two distinct bridges, the island preserves its lonely, deserted feel.
On the island, there are several interesting outdoor activities, restaurants, wedding venues, and day trips. There are two public beaches and several offshore island beaches to select from.
If you’re searching for a spot to dine or drink on San Marco Island, look no further. To find out which restaurants are a must-see, read the following article:
- 9 Must-Try Marco Island Restaurants
Contents
- 1 Best Activities on San Marco Island, Florida
- 1.1 Tours of Marco Mystery and History
- 1.2 Go to South Marco Beach.
- 1.3 History Museum on Marco Island
- 1.4 Princess of Marco Island
- 1.5 Water Sports on Marco Island
- 1.6 Marina in the Islands of Capri
- 1.7 National Estuarine Research Reserve in Rookery Bay
- 1.8 Dolphin Discoverer
- 1.9 Marco should paddle.
- 1.10 Keewaydin Island should be visited.
- 1.11 Mangrove Fanatics
- 1.12 Boat Trips on Marco Island
- 1.13 Marco Scuba diving
- 2 Conclusion
Best Activities on San Marco Island, Florida
Tours of Marco Mystery and History
Palm Street (+239) 537-8353100
Marco Mystery & History, as the name suggests, combines aspects of Marco Island’s history with ghost tales for a frightening two-hour trolley trip with Martha Horror, an actress and your guide. Among the sites are a 340-year-old Indian burial mound, a haunted inn, and a cemetery.
Excursions are available from October to March, and private trips are available at any time. Hear tales of Captain William D. Colliers’ curse, the Key Marco hanging tree, aggressive local tribes, lawlessness, unexplained disappearances, and murders, many of which remain unsolved to this day. The Olde Marco Inn ticket price includes a complimentary pre-tour drink.
Go to South Marco Beach.
(+239) 252-4000930 S. Collier Blvd
South Marco Island Beach is the island’s only public beach. It is the quieter of the two beaches, making it excellent for families who want to relax, shell, or watch dolphins play in the ocean. The beach has a few amenities, including paid parking, restrooms, and a paved path to the beach.
Three firms that provide excursions and adventure activities on the beach or nearby are Off the Hook Adventures, Sailing-Shelling-Sightseeing, and Florida Adventures and Rentals. The 1-acre beachfront is palm-tree-lined and adjacent to other high-end hotels.
History Museum on Marco Island
+1 (239) 252-1440180 S. Heathwood Drive
The Marco Island History Museum is a historical museum devoted to the history and development of Marco Island, containing exhibits on the Calusa People. The museum features an entire section devoted to a recreation of a Calusa hamlet, giving visitors a glimpse into the everyday life of this long-gone culture.
Several artefacts discovered during an archeological dig on Marco Island are on show at the museum.
The exhibits trace the island’s history from its origins as an Indigenous colony through its years as a pioneer fishing community to its stratospheric ascent to popularity as a world-class tourist destination.
In 1896, archaeologist Frank Hamilton Cushing showed the significance of Marco Island to ancient Calusa Indian society, which spanned across Southwest Florida and even into the Keys, in what has been called one of the most important archaeological discovery in North America. The Key Marco Cat, a 6-inch wooden figurine unearthed during his excavation, has gained notoriety.
The original, which is now on display at the Smithsonian Museum, has returned for a nearly 30-month special exhibition with other discoveries from the landmark excavation. A permanent, super-sized bronze duplicate guards the museum’s courtyard, which was constructed to resemble the tribe’s shell mounds.
Princess of Marco Island
+1 (239) 642-5415951 Bald Eagle Dr.
The Marco Island Princess is a beautiful 90-foot yacht that provides daily sightseeing trips. The Marco Princess trips depart from Rose Marina and are a fantastic chance to experience the Marco Island region in luxury. Visitors may choose between a buffet-style lunch cruise or one of two sunset dinner cruises, both of which feature nature and historical commentary from the captain.
The Marco Island Princess delivers a wide range of scrumptious foods, such as prime rib, turkey breast, salad, freshly baked cookies, and more. The yacht is available for private hire, and it is particularly popular for weddings, anniversary celebrations, and business parties.
Water Sports on Marco Island
642-337-7560 S. Collier Blvd.
Marco Island Water Sports has four sites on Marco Island where you may rent water sports equipment. Visitors may find the company at the Marriott Beach Resort, Hilton Marco Island, Marriotts Crystal Shores, and the Goodland Backbay Marina.
Visitors may hire wave runners and explore the nearby waterways on their own, or they can join one of the company’s great adventure programs. Among the trips and activities provided are wave runner excursions, parasailing, marine life eco-cruises, and others.
Everyday activities leave from the beach or from one of the neighboring hotels. To assure a spot on the popular tours, guests are recommended to make reservations.
Marina in the Islands of Capri
Capri Blvd, Naples, FL 34113, USA (+239) 389-4626292
The Islands of Capri Marina is a full-service marina that leases out boats in Naples and Marco Island. The marina is conveniently located near the Marco River, providing easy access to the ocean and nearby waterways. The marina has pontoons and kayaks for rent.
Kayak rentals are perfect for exploring the Marco River and paddling to islands only accessible by boat. Motorized pontoons enable larger parties to share a boat and travel longer distances. The marina crew is knowledgeable about the area and can provide instructions and recommendations for exploring the area’s waterways.
National Estuarine Research Reserve in Rookery Bay
Tower Road, (+239) 530-5940300 Tower Rd
The Estuary Environmental Learning Center does a superb job of describing the estuary’s environment in a modern, cutting-edge structure.
On the first floor, there is a gallery with changing exhibitions of wildlife art, a gift shop, and an exceptional, inviting gallery of interactive exhibits, including a 2,000-gallon aquarium built into the roots of a mimicked mangrove tree, a touch tank, and brilliantly designed displays.
Upstairs, explore the Naples area’s history and stop at a Cracker hut to learn about human history. Next cross Henderson Creek and cross the bridge to the other side, where there is a short nature walk.
The site also offers guided walks, kayak outings, and other educational events. It’s close to Marco Island and is definitely worth a visit, especially for families. Ask about weekly kayaking expeditions that explore backwater estuaries.
Dolphin Discoverer
642-6899951 Bald Eagle Dr.
As part of the 10,000 Islands Survey Team Dolphin Project, the Dolphin Explorer, which is part citizen-science research boat and part sightseeing cruise, invites guests. If you want to see dolphins, this is the excursion to take since the researchers know the populations by name, as well as their size and fin and tail patterns.
The massive pontoon boat cruises around the waters of Marco Island’s bays and estuaries. The researchers on board photograph each one they encounter with the help of passengers. Everyone who finds a new dolphin may name it. An onboard naturalist may teach passengers about dolphins and other marine creatures as they go.
The trip includes a shelling stop on a barrier island as well as free family and group photos. It’s educational and peaceful, and it’s as rewarding and amusing for adults as it is for children. Wear or bring shoes to the beach since the shells may be abrasive on your feet.
Marco should paddle.
Capri Paddlecraft Park (+239) 777-5423
Marco Island, on the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Islands, is bordered by and interwoven with scenic rivers that lead away from the resort areas, condos, and concrete. Paddle Marco’s 2.5-hour Mangrove Tunnels Kayak Tour starts at the Paddlecraft Park, located between the main island and the Islands of Capri.
It winds its way through an estuary labyrinth teeming with birds, shellfish, fish, and other marine life. During your journey, you may rent a kayak or paddleboard at Paddlecraft Park or Caxambas Park. There are daily and weekly rates available, with a two-hour minimum rental.
Keewaydin Island should be visited.
Isle of Keewaydin
Keewaydin Island, a barrier island off the coast of Naples, is home to wild boar, white-tailed deer, bobcat, iguanas, and the gopher tortoise. Loggerhead turtles deposit their eggs on the island on a regular basis.
On the island, there are no automobiles, roads, or bridges, and only dirt trails link private docks to dwellings. Since the natural beauty has been maintained to a large degree, visitors may experience a pure, natural ecosystem.
At the public beach, a picnic consisting of a burger from the local burger barge, which serves sandwiches and cold drinks on the sand, is a terrific option. To get to the island, visitors must rent a boat, join a tour, or go with a private person who owns a boat.
The Hemingway Water Shuttle arrives at Keewaydin Beach seven times each day for drop-offs and pick-ups. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome to travel with their owners on the shuttle.
Mangrove Fanatics
N. Collier Blvd., (+239) 777-57071104 N. Collier Blvd.
The Marco Island area is well-known for its fishing. Every year, the Gulf waters, freshwater lakes, and surrounding rivers give superb fishing opportunities. Marco Island Boat Tours offers one-of-a-kind guided fishing excursions as well as specialized local tours.
The trips are never the same since the guides plan the route depending on the weather and tide conditions of the day in order to provide travelers with the greatest possibility of sighting wildlife.
The bulk of their trips are private, with up to six people per boat, providing a more personalized tour experience. Visitors have complete control over every aspect of their trip, enabling them to design it exactly as they want it.
Boat Trips on Marco Island
1083 N. Collier Blvd. #322 (+239) 695-0000
Marco Island Boat Excursions specializes in educational excursions of the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Everglades National Park, and other protected locations in the Florida Keys. The company’s guides are all environmental educators and Florida Master Naturalists, making it unique.
The Family Beach Half Day Tour, which takes travelers on a 4-hour excursion to experience the diverse aspects of the Ten Thousand Islands, is one of the company’s most popular tours. A naturalist-led boat tour of the area’s native creatures, time on the beach for shelling and swimming, and a family-friendly fishing opportunity are all part of the program.
Marco Scuba diving
389-78891141 Bald Eagle Dr.
Scuba Marco is a full-service dive shop offering diving trips and certification programs. The company offers both PADI and SSI diving certificates. Dive-N-A-Day events are open to non-divers.
These initial courses might range from a 90-minute pool session with scuba equipment to a trip out on a dive boat to experience real-life diving. Everything required for diving, including masks and fins, may be rented or purchased at the store. They also have a professional technician on hand to fix diving equipment.
Conclusion
Marco Island and the surrounding regions are famous for its stunning beaches, the richness of unusual shells, and laid-back lifestyles, and sun-seekers from all over the nation travel to the island.
Marco Island’s natural scenery and surrounding region are perfect for both relaxing and adventurous activities. If you prefer being on the water, you’ll enjoy the fishing, boating, dolphin watching, kayaking, canoeing, shelling, and other activities on offer.
In addition to natural beauty, Marco Island offers guests a range of cultural, artistic, and festival events, so staying engaged and entertained during your vacation should not be a problem.
Visited other locations in Florida? See our other guides:
- 9 Fun Things To Do In Vero Beach Florida
- 8 Best Vero Beach Restaurants
- 7 Must-Try Clearwater Florida Restaurants
- 7 Best Celebration FL Restaurants
- 7 Best Kissimmee Restaurants
- 10 Must-Try Cape Coral Restaurants
- 9 Must-Try Madison FL Restaurants
- 9 Fun Things To Do In Amelia Island
- 7 Best Neptune Beach Restaurants
- 9 Must-Try Restaurants In Atlantic Beach FL
- 10 Must-Try Restaurants In Palm Beach Florida
- 9 Must-Visit Miami Seafood Markets
- Best Of Florida Food
- The 12 Best Things To Do In St. Petersburg, FL
- 13 Best Disney Springs Restaurants
- 7 Must-Try Universal CityWalk Restaurants
- 20 Best Restaurants In Universal Studios
- 6 Best Ft. Myers Beach Restaurants
- The 8 Best Downtown Ft. Myers Restaurants