Vacationing in Marco Island
Just across the S.S. Jolley Bridge, about 300 yards from the mainland, on Florida’s Gulf Coast, lies Marco Island. Only 300 yards, but a world apart. Marco Island offers vacationers a peaceful tropical resort where brilliant sunrises are matched by magnificent sunsets, porpoises play in the Gulf, and eagles soar. World travelers describe Marco as “Tahiti with air conditioning.”
Marco Island lies in the Southwest corner of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, roughly 200 miles Southwest of Orlando, 170 miles South of Tampa, 100 miles West of Miami, and only 10 miles South of Naples. Marco is the northernmost largest of the Ten Thousand Islands at the western gateway to Everglades National Park.
The Island is six miles long and four miles wide, and is famous for its three and a half mile white sand beach and lush foliage. Marco is a semi-tropical paradise. Winter days are bright, warm and sunny, and the evenings are cool and delightful. Even the hottest summer days are rarely above the mid-90’s, and breezes off the Gulf cool the Island.Average year-round temperature is 74, with rainfall of 49″, most of which occurs in August and September. Winter daytime temperatures generally are in the 70’s to 80’s.
Swimming, Sunbathing and Shelling
Swimmers, sunbathers and shellers cherish Marco’s white sand crescent beach and clear emerald waters. The calm Gulf is suitable for swimming year-round. The beach is no more than a few minutes away from any home, condo, or hotel on the Island. Marco is a shell collector’s delight. Dozens of varieties exist on the beach and nearby islands.
Marco is a shell collector’s delight. Dozens of varieties exist on the beach and nearby islands.
Beach Access
Marco Island has multiple public and private beach access points for those looking to enjoy the white sandy beaches. There are four beach access points that are open to the public. The South Beach access on the south end and Tigertail Beach on the north end of the island are the two most prominent beach access points because they offer the most parking. In addition to the public beaches, there is also a Residents’ Beach access point for owners and long term guests. Parking information for Residents’ Beach is available through the Marco Island Civic Association (MICA).
Recreation
With its spectacular beaches, towering palms and fascinating wildlife Marco is a world renowned resort community. It’s an ideal place for relaxation, activity and fun.
Boating and Sailing
The Ten Thousand Islands are protected sanctuaries teeming with wildlife. Access is easy to the Gulf of Mexico, bays, rivers, canals and backwaters. Whether you want to fish, sail, jet-ski, windsurf or just cruise, Marco’s the place. The waters are some of the most peaceful in the world. Boat rentals, sales, service and storage are all close on the island. For the adventurous, there’s parasailing, waverunning and scuba diving. Two volunteer organizations, the United States Power Squadron, and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, help boaters with various programs and search-and-rescue services. Another volunteer group, the Civil Air Patrol, conducts nightly Sundown Patrols to locate boaters in difficulty.
Tennis, Biking, Jogging and Walking
There’s lots of tennis and Pickleball on Marco Island. Courts with both har-tru and hard surfaces are available at hotels, motels, condos and clubs on the Island. Both the The YMCA and Racquet Center have lighted courts. Want to ride a bike? Bike rental shops and bike paths make it easy. Golf cart rentals are also abundant. There are jogging paths also for the exercisers, as well as relaxing walks on the beach.
Fishing
Marco Island is in the midst of some of the world’s finest fishing waters. Tarpon, snook, grouper, snapper, mackerel, pompano, sheepshead, amberjack, redfish and drum are some of the 110 varieties. Fishing is particularly good in the tranquil backwaters, or around two reefs a mile offshore and five miles offshore.
Dining on Marco Island
Dining out is pure joy on Marco Island. With almost 100 local restaurants furnish everything from pizza and fast food to haute cuisine. Some of the finest restaurants in Florida are on the Island. First class continental, seafood, beef, French, Italian, Greek, German, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, and down home American restaurants are all within ten minutes of wherever you are on the Island. You never have to leave the Island to experience a tasty variety of cooking delights. In keeping with the Island’s low key, unpretentious style, dress at almost all restaurants is casual and comfortable.
Shopping and Service Island Style
Boutiques and small businesses carry everything from casual clothing to crystal. Since Marco is self contained, you do not have to leave the Island to find sporting goods, specialty shops or supermarkets. All services are available, including laundry and dry cleaning, beauty shops or plumbers, doctors, dentists, lawyers, travel agents, automobile repair shops, electricians and, of course, real estate sales and rental accommodation offices. Three Post Office facilities serve the Island. Marco has a fully staffed Healthcare Facility for emergencies, and Naples Community Hospital is a half hour away or ten minutes by helicopter.
Entertainment
Marco has music, dancing, live theater and movies. The hotels have music and there is live jazz at the hotels and several local restaurants. Sunday jam sessions are famous. Nearby Naples has symphonic music and live theater in the magnificent Philharmonic Center for the Performing Arts.
Getting Here
Travelers have an easy time reaching Marco Island. The Southwest International Airport is less than an hour away. Naples Airport, with commuter air service to major Florida airports, is only 25 minutes from Marco Island.
Golfing in the Marco Island Area
There are as many golf courses either on Marco, or within a short driving distance, as in most areas in Scotland! The Island Country Club has a beautiful 18 hole course, and the Hideaway Beach Club has a sporty 9-hole executive course. Both are for members and guests. Just off the Island, public, private and semi-private facilities such as the Marco Shores Country Club, Boyne South, Hibiscus, Flamingo and Mustang at Lely Resort and the Golf Club at Marco (Marriott) are excellent 18 hole courses at reasonable rates. New courses designed by Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player and Lee Trevino are just up the road, and there are more than 30 other courses in close proximity to Marco Island. Some of the finest courses in Florida are on the Island, or within 30 minutes driving time.
