Best Time to Visit Marco Island: Along a stretch of the Gulf of Mexico is an area known as Florida’s Paradise Coast. One of its coastal treasures happens to be Marco Island, a barrier island connected to Florida’s mainland city of Naples by bridges. The island is home to some phenomenal beaches with a very sophisticated resort town to some areas offering more of a fishing village vibe. Boating is the name of the game on Marcos Island, with many resorts and vacation rentals being on the water. So when is the best time to visit Marco Island?
Best time to visit Marco Island for great weather
Considering its proximity to Florida, Marco Island can get extremely hot in the summertime with very high humidity. We don’t know about you, but that kind of heat can be pretty unpleasant. For weather that’s ‘just right’ the best time to visit Marco Island is in the Fall or in early Spring. During September, October and November average temperatures hang around the 80s so days are warm without being unbearably hot and humid. While scattered afternoon showers are still likely in September, the chance of rainfall drops significantly in October and November, clearing the way for all those fun outdoor activities you have planned!
In April and May, temperatures range from the mid to high 70s so it’s also a really great time to visit for warm weather.
Best time to visit Marco Island for no crowds
Fall is once again the best time to visit Marco Island if you’re trying to avoid the crowds. Spring is also quieter but the weather is a little cooler. During the Fall, you’ll find the beaches, restaurants and hotels much quieter, which is a much better way to experience Marco Island if crowds make you sweat more than the Florida heat. During the high season, which starts in December and ends in February, tourists flock to the warm, sunny shores of Marco Island to escape the bitter cold back home so beaches, hotels, tours and restaurants will be packed. Summer is equally busy, so avoid those peak seasons if crowds are not your thing.
Best time to visit Marco Island on a budget
Like with any holiday destination, prices go up when demand goes up so you’ll find prices for resorts, vacation rentals and transport at its highest during peak season. Generally if you visit Marco Island in the Fall or early Spring, prices have dropped dramatically, making for a much more budget-friendly vacation.
There are plenty of affordable hotels and rentals around Marco Island. One of the best is Olde Marco Island Inn and Suites, offering a comfortable and clean place to stay with great facilities close to all the best attractions.
Best time to visit Marco Island for beach and sea activities
If you want to take advantage of all the fun land and sea activities Marco Island has to offer, then you’ll need to plan to visit when the weather is at its prime! Surprisingly this is not during the summer months because the chance of rain increases quite significantly. When we analyzed the average temperatures, humidity and rainfall the most ideal time to visit is October and November or March, April and May. Humidity is at its lowest in November but with that being said, the humidity in October, March, April and May is still very manageable and nowhere near the levels that summer brings.
Best time to visit Marco Island for families
Fall is the best time to visit Marco Island if you’ll be traveling with kids, as is Spring, simply because it is not crowded. Only a parent can understand the anxiety of trying to wrangle kids and keep sight of them in thick crowds. Going during off peak season is just a whole lot less stressful and safer for families. There are plenty of fun things to do with kids including mini golf and walks around the community parks, aside from beach and water activities.
How to get to Marco Island
If you don’t live in the USA or in Florida, you can fly in to Miami International Airport or Southwest Florida International Airport and drive through to Marco Island from there. Here are your routes to take:
Driving from Naples, Florida
The city of Naples in Florida is located about 20 miles away from Marco Island. The simplest route to take is US-41 to Collier Boulevard, which will then take you on a scenic drive straight through to Marco Island.
Driving from Miami, Florida
US-41 is also the best route to take when coming from Miami as it takes you right up to San Marco Road. From here you can easily get to the main roads and resorts in Marco Island plus you’ll drive past the quaint fishing village of Goodland, a worthwhile stop on your road trip.
Driving from Miami Airport
Miami International Airport is 101 miles from Marco Island. Upon leaving the airport, take the FL-836W to US-41 which will take you to the east side of the island. The trip takes approximately 2 hours, traffic dependent.
Driving from Fort Lauderdale
From Fort Lauderdale International Airport you can take the I-595W to I-75N, which will take you on through to Collier Boulevard. Collier Boulevard takes you directly through to Marco Island. The whole trip will take just under 2 hours depending on the traffic.
Where to Stay on Marco Island
Regardless of when you decide to visit Marco Island, you will want to make sure to choose to stay in a great resort. Marco Island has numerous beautiful resorts that are perfect for romantic getaways, family vacations, business trips, and everything in between. Here are some of the best accommodations on Marco Island.
Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa: A stunning beachfront resort with a laid-back, peaceful atmosphere. The Hilton Marco Island is located on 10.5 acres of prime oceanfront real estate, with views of Marco Island’s famous white sand beaches from the luxury suites. The resort boast a heated outdoor pool, sun deck, waterspouts, sightseeing tours, and direct access to the beach.
JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort: A luxurious resort located right on a private beach, the JW Marriott Marco Island features 12 restaurants, two championship golf courses, a pool, a gym, and a bar/lounge.
Olde Marco Island Inn & Suites: Beautiful inn located a couple minutes drive from Tigertail Beach, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, and multiple golf courses. The Olde Marco Island Inn has an on-site French restaurant, outdoor pool, and beautiful garden views. The condo-style suites with full kitchens make this Inn the perfect place for longer-term stays.
Marco Island Lakeside Inn: A gorgeous boutique hotel located on Marco Lake, the Marco Island Lakeside Inn is surrounded by lush natural beauty. Located close to some of Marco Island’s best beaches and restaurants, the Lakeside Inn is the perfect base to explore Marco Island.
The Verdict
For the best weather and quietest atmosphere, the best time to visit Marco Island is during the Fall. The warm but pleasant temperatures, lower humidity levels, thinned out crowds and lower prices make for an all-round great trip. It is also a good time to visit with kids, without the big crowds making it hard to keep an eye on the little ones.
See Also:
The Best Time To Visit Sanibel Island