18 Things To Do On Marco Island

18 Things To Do On Marco Island: Marco Island, on Florida’s Paradise Coast, is the perfect mix between sophisticated resort town and sleepy fishing village. Palm-lined streets, a long stretch of white sandy beach and plenty of luxury resorts and spas means you’ll never run out of things to do on Marco Island. This little slice of paradise is uniquely positioned between Naples and the Everglades, offering year-round activities for all age groups.

Things to do on Marco Island with kids

Guided seashell finding tour

Find the best seashells in the whole of Florida on a guided shelling tour. Your guide will take you deep into the Ten Thousand Islands to the best beaches for shell finding and teach you how to find those hidden gems in the sand. You’ll be provided with buckets to collect all the beautiful shells you find to take back home with you.

Take an Everglades airboat tour

Airboats are a thrilling way to explore the swamps and lagoons in the Everglades. The high-speed boats will zip through the swampy waters providing a unique way to do a spot of nature viewing. After the boat tour, you are free to stay for the live alligator show or to dare to pet a baby alligator.

Play a round of mini golf

Up for a little healthy competition and looking for fun things to do on Marco Island with the kids? Head to Marco Golf and Gardens for a few hours spent navigating the 18-hole mini golf course.

Visit the community park

Marco Island has a beautiful common area called Frank E. Mackle Jr. Community Park with bike paths, ponds, ping pong tables and plenty of other activities that’ll keep kids entertained for hours on end.

Marco Island Historical Museum

As an island where many important historical markers and archaeological excavations have been found, Marco Island Historical Museum pays homage to the now nonexistent Calusa Indians with a fascinating 3D village and other interactive exhibits.

Check out the sunset fire dancers

Things to do on Marco Island: See the Fire Dancers
Things to do on Marco Island: See the Fire Dancers

Kane’s Tiki Bar and Grill at the JW Marriott Marco Island is a great spot to grab a cocktail while you watch the sunset. Just when you think the evening is over, fire dancers pop up to entertain you with an enthralling show that the kids will love!

Things to do on Marco Island for couples

Chill out at Marco Island Brewery

Sink a few cold ones at the local Marco Island Brewery and restaurant. House brews include the Pelican Pilsner, Rock IPA and over 40 other beers along with a selection of snacks to pair with your beers.

Dine on fresh fish

There’s nothing quite like enjoying fresh seafood right on the waterfront. If that’s an experience that tickles your fancy, pop in to the Snook Inn for a tasty meal and a few cold beers.

Stroll along Tigertail Beach

Things to do on Marco Island: Visit Tigertail Beach
Things to do on Marco Island: Visit Tigertail Beach

Tigertail beach is a secluded and peaceful beach with beautiful scenery, in fact it may just be the best beach on the whole island. Take a romantic late afternoon stroll along the beach combing for seashells and catch the exquisite sunset. Afterwards head on up the beach to the snack bar for a light bite and glass of wine.

Go on a sunset dinner cruise

Things to do on Marco Island: Watch the Sunset
Things to do on Marco Island: Watch the Sunset

The Marco Island Princess is the most popular cruise charter, operating daily with a selection of luxury boat tours and one of the best things to do on Marco Island for couples. The most popular option for couples is the sunset dinner cruise which sets sail at sundown with a buffet dinner, dessert and coffee served on the elegant main and upper decks of the vessel.

Hit the spa

As the biggest luxury resort on the island, the Spa by JW offers a relaxing and indulgent spa experience for couples looking to unwind. With a calm and tranquil atmosphere and pampering spa treatments you’ll be lulled into relaxation in no time.

Things to do on Marco Island outdoors

Watersports

Jet-skiing, paddleboarding and boating are all very popular water-based activities on Marco Island. There are plenty of established tour and rental companies operating in the area who will get you set up with your gear for a couple of hours of fun in the sun and sea!

Golfing

World-class The Rookery golf course at the JW Marriott Marco Island is a real treat of a course for golf lovers to play. Set in a shallow wetland with an abundance of bird life, the manicured course is a dream to play.

South Marco Island Beach

South Marco Island Beach has it all! Soft, white beach sand dotted with palms, an abundance of seashells waiting to be found and some great restaurants serving up Floridian classics. Paying a visit to this beach is definitely one of the top things to do on Marco Island.

Rent a boat

Renting a kayak or pontoon boat is a great way to see the island from the water. Paddle through the calm marinas while keeping an eye out for playful dolphins or rare birds.

Tour the island in a Slingshot

Rent a Polaris Slingshot for a few hours or the day and zoot around the island with the top down in these top of the range 3-wheeled vehicles.

See the Gulf of Mexico from the sky

Are you a bit of a daredevil? Then you’ll love seeing the Gulf of Mexico from a very unique vantage point by going parasailing over Marco Island. Parasailing flights will give you a birds eye view of the tropical fish, dolphins and manatees.

Go on a fishing charter

There’s no better way to get in some quality fishing than by taking a fishing charter with a seasoned captain and fisherman. Jungle Jim’s Safari offers fly fishing charters with guaranteed catches because let’s face it, it’s pretty frustrating to spend hours out at sea only to come back empty handed!

 

Which of these fun things to do on Marco Island will you be putting on your trip itinerary?

 

See Also:

A Guide to the Best Time to Visit Marco Island

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