Marco Island has so many great restaurants, it's hard to choose :).   However, here are some of our favorites, just not in particular order:   

- Italian Deli and Market – right across the Veteran’s Park (walking distance to our home), indoor/outdoor seating, live bands, many great food choices, awesome pizzas!

- CJ's on the Bay – overlooking beautiful marina/water (walking distance to our home)

- Mango's Dockside Bistro – located on the same marina as CJ’s on the Bay (also walking distance)

- Snook Inn – north of the island (old part of Marco), very relaxed/casual attire atmosphere with waterfront tables.  The restaurant has been around for a very long time, and its local favorite.

- Dolphin Tiki Bar & Grill – similar to Snook Inn, dining right on water with old school charm. Must try the fish tacos!   (parking can be a little tricky during busy hrs. but worth the visit)

- Marco Prime Steak & Seafood Restaurant – southern part of the island at Marco Walk Plaza

- Da Vinci Ristorante Italiano – also southern part of the island at Marco Walk Plaza

- The SpeakEasy Marco Island – overlooking water with outdoor and indoor seating. Near to our home.

- Marco is Fin Bistro - our favorite restaurant that takes reservations, specializes in fresh caught seafood.

Kids & Adults:

- Sweet Annie's Ice Cream Parlour – not too far from our home and a must visit for KIDS and adults!

Also, just to point out, Naples - 5th Ave with numerous restaurants is only 15 to 20 min drive.

Technically, all the beaches on Marco Island are connected (with exception of Keewaydin Island); it is just a matter of where one enters the beach and parks their car.  Below are the 2 most popular.  Most if not all that stay in single family homes drive to the beach as it would be too cumbersome to haul all the beach gear otherwise.   

Tigertail Beach has its own dedicated parking lot. Parking is $8 per vehicle. This price includes the entire day and typically stays the same regardless of holiday or weekend. Parking is ample at the beach due to the popularity of the area and its famous “Sand Dollar Spit,” a few miles of shell-heavy and isolated sand lining the north of the beachside. Overall, there are about 226 parking spaces available.

South Beach is likely the most popular public beach haven on the Island and the one that attracts the most non-residents every year. The parking lot for South Beach has 70 parking spaces, with a number of handicapped spaces available by the restroom facilities. Similar to Tigertail, parking is $8 for the day and payable at the on-site pay station.

There is also a small lot by the name of Turtle Lot, owned and operated independently. This lot is near South Beach and could be a nice alternative if South Beach is full. 711 S Collier Blvd, Marco Island, FL 34145  

Keewaydin Island - Beach is right next to Marco Island and is only accessible by boat. It's a very popular beach destination on Marco Island and well worth visiting! It is also the best way to spot dolphins as many times dolphins like to tag along behind or next to boats to take advantage of the boat current.  Pack all you need to a boat right off the house dock and start your unforgettable journey to one of a kind beach.  Or take a water shuttle. One often used by guests is Hemingway Water Shuttle* ( hemingwaywatershuttle.com) known for easy online booking with various times during the day. 

*non-affiliates

- Marco Island Historical Museum (FREE). 

- There are many parks on Marco Island, but the best is right around the corner from our home Veterans Park (recently updated $11mil+ project).  You will see it on the way to our home :)

- Marco Island Princess - yacht cruise.  It is a fantastic way to go around and explore the island with the kids, you are very likely to spot marine animals and most importantly - dolphins :)   Prices are very reasonable and there are few options of type of cruise to select from.  

- Pirates of Marco Island (Charters, Sunset Cruises, & Interactive Adventures -  interactive pirate cruise, your children learn how to talk, sing, dance, and play games like a true buccaneer of the high seas).

- Of course the beach can provide a never ending fun (more on that below)

- Shelling, fishing, or dolphin excursions are always a blast for kids and adults.

There are various small specialty shops and boutique stores to choose from all around.  Our home is even conveniently located near 2 grocery stores (both within walking distance), and chain type stores such as CVS or Walgreens.  

Since our home is in the heart of the island you can even walk or ride a bike to many of these locations, all designed with pedestrians in mind with plenty of sidewalks.  

For souvenirs and more with great selection I recommend Alvin's Island - there is one located near home. 

Also, just a short drive from Marco Island - 5th AVE in Naples is another great place to visit for high end shopping and other attractions.   

For the ultimate experience of the island and the Gulf of Mexico take advantage of our home's location - right on saltwater with easy canal access to the Gulf.   Bring your own boat or rent one and truly explore what Marco Island has to offer.  

Since we have small kids, our family's favorite is to is to rent a pontoon boat, then dock/park on our dock and use it to get to all the beaches.  No better way to pack everything, gear, coolers straight from our dock and to the beach.  By the way, Keewaydin Island's beach is right next to Marco Island and is only accessible by boat. It's a very popular beach destination on Marco Island and well worth visiting! It is also the best way to spot dolphins as many times dolphins like to tag along behind or next to boats to take advantage of the boat current.  

Not to mention that many restaurants are accessible by boat where you can dock right at the restaurant's dock.    

Renting a boat on Marco is easy. There are even rental companies that will not only allow to rent for multiple days so you can dock the boat overnight right on our dock by our home, but they will even deliver and pick up the boat straight to and from our dock.  

If you prefer not to operate a boat but still want to experience Keewaydin Island's beach and the journey getting there - see dolphins, then take a water shuttle. One often used by guests is Hemingway Water Shuttle* ( hemingwaywatershuttle.com) known for easy online booking with various times during the day. 

Just let us know in advance if you are bringing your boat or renting one.

*non-affiliates

Marco Island is known for some of the best year round fishing in the world.  Marco Island is surrounded by saltwater with the 10,000 Islands to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. 

The shallow waters around Marco and the 10,000 Islands hold Sportfish such as Tarpon, Snook, Redfish and Sea Trout, to name a few.   For those that prefer the deep waters venture in to the Gulf of Mexico for a catch of Snapper, King Mackeral, Grouper, Little Tuni, shark and Cobia.

Many of our guests were even catching fish right of our dock - thank you for sharing your photos!

Not sure where to start?    No worries, there are plenty of fishing charters on Marco, just book a Charter Captain and enjoy the experience with ease. The island is a perfect place for fishing as there are variety of fish and that means consistency of catch all year round.  You want to taste the fish - fresh, so take the advantage of local restaurants that will cook it for you if you bring your own catch of the day.      

One of the most popular ways of getting around Marco Island is to rent a street legal golf cart, and that just adds to the wonderful island experience.  There are numerous rental companies on the island to choose from, and for your convenience they can also deliver the golf cart right to the house. 

Explore the salt water canals on Kayaks on your own pace and you are very likely to encounter various marine creatures.  Stroll around the island with beautiful high quality aluminum frame beach cruisers or run small errands or even shopping. 

To our guests we provide** FREE usage of 2 Kayaks and 4 adult bicycle beach cruisers, please contact us for details on usage***. 

**availability and or equipment functionality not guaranteed as on rare occasions, if any, such equipment may not be available due to loss or damage caused by others and/or equipment failure. 

***please contact us for details on usage requirements.  

Marco Island and nearby Naples area offer a world-class golf with numerous golf courses throughout.