Things to Do in Marco Island: Beaches, Boating, Shelling & More
Updated: Sep 16
Marco Island has such a special place in my heart.
My family has spent a week here over New Year’s for at least five different years, and my cousins still come back every year. And I completely understand why.
Marco Island is not a super eventful destination, and I actually think that’s part of the appeal.
This is where you go when you want a relaxing beach vacation.
You’re not coming here because you need a packed itinerary with sightseeing every hour. You’re coming to walk the beach, look for shells, go boating, watch for dolphins, eat seafood, sit by the pool, and slow down for a few days.
Marco Island is relaxed, beautiful, incredibly easy to vacation in, and is surrounded by some of the prettiest water and beaches in Southwest Florida. It is also the largest of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands, so if you like boating, wildlife, shelling, fishing, or just being outside, it's the place to be. It's also home to some of the best sunsets I've ever seen.
So if you're looking for a beautiful, easy, family-friendly Florida beach trip, I think Marco Island is perfect.
And here are my favorite things to do there.
Best Things to Do in Marco Island at a Glance
Spend the morning walking, shelling, and looking for wildlife on the beach.
Visit Tigertail Beach
Take a boat trip into the Ten Thousand Islands
Take a Safari Truck Tour Around Marco Island
Spend a day on Keewaydin Island
Go fishing
Rent a boat or take a private charter
Spend some time at 10k Alley
Watch the sunset
Walk around the Esplanade
Mini Golf at Marco Golf and Garden
Eat your way around the island
Take a day trip to Naples
1. Spend the Morning Walking, Shelling & Looking for Wildlife on the Beach
This honestly might be my favorite thing to do on Marco Island.
And I know that to some people, that may sound incredibly boring. But I genuinely love walking this beach.
If you go out in the morning, you'll see so many people slowly walking along the shoreline looking down at the sand for shells. I’ve tried to go for runs on the beach here, but they almost always turn into walks because I get distracted looking for shells.
Shelling is basically a morning activity here.
Marco has so many shells that even if you're not someone who normally cares about shelling, you somehow end up looking down every five seconds anyway. It’s also where I found my first conch shell that was practically the size of my head, so all that looking down can pay off.
And while you're walking, look at the water too.
I don’t think I’ve ever spent a day on Marco Island without seeing at least one dolphin from the beach. That's part of what I love about Marco. You don't necessarily need to book an excursion every day to see wildlife.
2. Visit Tigertail Beach
Tigertail Beach is probably the most famous public beach on Marco Island and one I would definitely know about before visiting.
If shelling is a major priority, I would also check out Tigertail Beach. It's also a great spot to kayak or paddleboard. If you like exploring rather than just laying out, I would make time for it.
But honestly, don't feel like you need to spend every beach day hopping around.
One of my favorite things is simply walking the long stretch of beach in front of the resorts and condos.
3. Take a Boat Trip Into the Ten Thousand Islands & See Dolphins
If you only book one excursion during your Marco Island trip, I would make it something on the water.
Marco Island sits right at the edge of the Ten Thousand Islands, so within a relatively short boat ride you can be surrounded by mangroves, remote beaches, wildlife, and stretches of coastline that feel completely different from the developed part of the island.
There are a few different ways to experience it depending on what you’re looking for:
CraigCat Tour of the Ten Thousand Islands
If you want something a little more adventurous and hands-on, I would look at the CraigCat Tour of the Ten Thousand Islands. This is a fun option if you’d rather explore in a small, sporty boat than sit on a larger sightseeing vessel.
Best for: Couples, adventure, and travelers who want a more active way to explore.
Ten Thousand Islands Sightseeing & Dolphin Tour
If you want a more traditional sightseeing experience, the Marco Island 10,000 Islands Sightseeing and Dolphin Tour is a good option. I would choose this one if your main priorities are seeing the islands, getting out on the water, and looking for dolphins without needing a more active excursion.
Best for: First-time visitors, families, sightseeing, and dolphin spotting.
Dolphin, Birding & Shelling Tour
For something that combines a little bit of everything, I also like the Marco Island Dolphin, Birding and Shelling Tour. This would be my pick if you want the wildlife experience but also want time for shelling rather than spending the entire excursion cruising around.
Best for: Wildlife, shelling, families, and travelers who want a mix of activities.
Which One Would I Choose?
For adventure: CraigCat tour
For classic sightseeing and dolphins: Ten Thousand Islands sightseeing tour
For wildlife + shelling: Dolphin, birding and shelling tour
No matter which one you choose, I think getting out into the Ten Thousand Islands is one of the experiences that makes a Marco Island trip feel different from a standard Florida beach vacation.
4. Take a Safari Truck Tour Around Marco Island
If you want to actually learn a little more about Marco Island instead of only seeing it from the beach or water, this is a fun option.
The Around the Island Safari Truck Tour is about 90 minutes and takes you around Marco Island in an open-air safari-style truck. Along the way, the guide points out historical sites, celebrity neighborhoods, huge waterfront homes, and local wildlife. The tour also includes a short stop at an ancient shell mound, and you may spot things like gopher tortoises, burrowing owls, green iguanas, birds of prey, and even dolphins.
I like this one because Marco Island is such a relaxing destination that sometimes you realize you've spent three days looking at the Gulf and haven't actually learned anything about the island itself.
It’s also an easy activity for families, especially those with younger kids, or anyone who wants a break from another full day in the sun.
5. Spend a Day on Keewaydin Island
If you want a beach day that feels a little more adventurous, head to Keewaydin Island.
Keewaydin is a barrier island between Marco Island and Naples, and it is only accessible by boat, which is a huge part of the appeal.
You can swim, shell, relax on the beach, and spend the day somewhere that feels much more remote than the main Marco Island shoreline.
One easy option to get there is the Beach Island Shelling Cruise to Keewaydin Island Tour. Just note that the pickup for this particular tour is actually in Naples, not Marco Island, so factor that into your plans before booking.
If you want to spend more time on Keewaydin, though, I actually think renting your own boat can be an even better option.
That way, you are not tied to a short tour schedule and can stay longer, swim, shell, relax, and explore at your own pace.
I like looking for rentals through Boatsetter, where you can choose between boats you operate yourself and options with a captain.
Another option I like is San Marco Marina, which rents pontoons and center-console boats specifically for exploring Marco Island, the Ten Thousand Islands, and nearby destinations like Cape Romano.
If you plan to drive the boat yourself, make sure you have your boater's license. Otherwise, booking a boat with a captain is the easiest option.
6. Go Fishing
With the Gulf of Mexico and the Ten Thousand Islands right outside Marco Island, fishing is another really popular way to spend a day here.
And you definitely don’t have to be an experienced angler. There are options ranging from short family-friendly trips to private charters and full-day deep-sea fishing.
Kids & Family Fishing Trip
If you’re traveling with kids or anyone who is newer to fishing, the Kids & Family Fishing Tour is probably the best place to start.
It’s a shorter option designed more around making fishing fun and approachable rather than committing your entire day to it.
Best for: Families, kids, beginners, and anyone looking for a shorter fishing excursion.
Private Marco Island Fishing Charter
For a more traditional fishing day, you can book a 4-Hour Private Marco Island Fishing Charter.
I like the private option if you’re traveling with a couple, family, or group because you have the boat to yourselves rather than joining a larger fishing trip.
Best for: Couples, families, groups, and anyone who wants a private half-day fishing experience.
Nighttime Shark Fishing
If regular fishing sounds a little too tame, there’s also a Private Nighttime Marco Island Shark Fishing charter.
This is definitely the more adventurous option and could be such a fun experience if you’ve already done the typical beach, boating, and dolphin activities during your trip.
Best for: Adventure, older kids and adults, and anyone looking for something different to do at night.
Full-Day Deep-Sea Fishing
And if fishing is one of the main reasons you’re coming to Marco Island, you can go all in with an 8-Hour Deep-Sea Fishing Trip.
This is the biggest commitment of the four, but it makes sense for people who actually want fishing to be one of the main activities of their vacation rather than just something they try for a couple of hours. However, please note that the pickup location for this tour is in Naples.
Best for: Serious fishing days, experienced anglers, and travelers who don’t mind dedicating a full day to being on the water.
If fishing isn’t normally your thing, I probably wouldn’t use up an entire Marco Island day on a full-day charter. But a shorter private or family trip can be a really fun way to get out on the water and experience another side of the island.
7. Rent a Boat or Book a Private Charter
If you are traveling with a family or group, I honestly think a private boat day is one of the best splurges you can make. You get way more flexibility than you would on a larger group tour.
You can decide whether you want to:
look for dolphins
shell
swim
stop at Keewaydin
cruise through the mangroves
spend most of the day relaxing
This is especially nice if you have already visited Marco before and want to create your own day instead of following a fixed tour route. Personally, I like looking for rentals through Boatsetter or San Marco Marina.
8. Spend Some Time at 10k Alley
If you want a break from the beach or just something different to do for a few hours, head to 10K Alley at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort.
It has bowling, mini golf, arcade games, pool tables, sports simulators, food, and a bar, so there’s a little bit of everything.
My family is all adults at this point, and we still end up going here. It’s one of those places that sounds like it might be more geared toward kids, but it’s actually really fun with a group of adults too, especially if you want something casual to do at night or after a long day at the beach.
It’s also obviously a great option if the weather isn’t cooperating, but I definitely wouldn’t save it only for a rainy day.
9. Watch the Sunset
This is a given. Marco Island sunsets are genuinely my favorite. Hands down.
You have a west-facing Gulf Coast location, which means the sun drops directly over the water.
Make a snack (my go-to is charcuterie). Get some wine. Walk down to the beach. Stay until the sun disappears.
10. Walk Around the Esplanade
If you want somewhere easy for dinner, drinks, or just walking around for a little while, head to The Esplanade Shoppes.
It is a waterfront shopping and dining area with restaurants, shops, and marina views.
I would not build an entire day around it.
But it is an easy place to stop before or after dinner, especially if you want something beyond the beach.
11. Mini Golf at Marco Golf and Garden
For an easy evening activity, head to Marco Golf and Garden.
My family has gone here multiple times, and this is actually the only mini golf course where my brother has ever made a hole-in-one, so naturally that still gets brought up.
It’s a fun, low-key option after dinner or when you want a break from the beach without committing to a big activity.
12. Eat Your Way Around Marco Island
One of the nice things about spending a full week on Marco Island is that you actually get time to try different restaurants instead of packing everything into two days.
Seafood is obviously a big one.
I would look for:
fresh fish
stone crab when in season
grouper
shrimp
waterfront restaurants
casual tiki-style spots
I would also leave room for at least one dinner somewhere a little nicer.
Marco can feel very casual during the day, but there are plenty of places where you can turn dinner into more of an occasion. Personally, I love a rooftop with a sunset view.
13. Take a Day Trip to Naples
If you are staying for a full week, Naples is an easy day trip. The drive is not bad, and Naples gives you a completely different vibe.
Think:
more shopping
more restaurants
Fifth Avenue South
Third Street South
Naples Pier and beach
golfing if you're into that
I would not necessarily leave Marco if you only have three or four days. But for a weeklong trip like the ones my family usually does, it is nice to change things up for a day.
Best Beaches on Marco Island
If you are trying to figure out where to spend your beach time, I would think about it like this:
Resort Beach
If you are staying at one of the major beachfront resorts, the easiest answer may simply be:
Stay there.
The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, for example, sits directly on Marco’s Gulf coastline and has access to a huge stretch of white-sand beach.
Tigertail Beach
Best for: shelling, wildlife, kayaking, and exploring.
South Marco Beach
Best for: a classic beach day and being near the southern end of the island.
How Many Days Do You Need in Marco Island?
You could absolutely come for a long weekend. But if you really want to slow down, I think a full week works really well here if you have the time.
That is what my family has traditionally done around New Year’s, and I like having enough time to do absolutely nothing.
A simple week could look like:
Day 1: Arrive + beach + sunset
Day 2: Tigertail Beach + dinner
Day 3: Boat tour / Ten Thousand Islands
Day 4: Relax at the resort
Day 5: Keewaydin Island or fishing
Day 6: Naples day trip
Day 7: Beach + absolutely nothing
Best Time to Visit Marco Island
I personally love Marco around New Year’s, which is obviously when my family has spent so much time there.
Winter is one of the most popular times to visit Southwest Florida because you get warm weather without the extreme heat and humidity of summer. There's also better sunsets. The tradeoff is that winter is also peak season. Expect higher hotel prices and more people.
If you are looking for lower rates and do not mind warmer weather, shoulder season can be a good alternative.
And if you are visiting during hurricane season, I would keep an eye on weather conditions and make sure your reservations have reasonable cancellation policies.
Top 3 Hotels in Marco Island
If you would rather stay in a hotel or resort than a vacation rental, these are the three I would look at first.
1. JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort — Click here for rates & availability.
If you want the full resort experience, this would probably be my top overall pick.
The JW Marriott sits directly on the Gulf and has a huge private beachfront, multiple pools, a spa, golf access, and 12 restaurants on property.
There is also an adults-only Paradise by Sirene experience for guests 21+. This is the kind of place where you could realistically spend multiple days without leaving the resort.
Best for: families, couples, first-time visitors, luxury, and anyone who wants a true beachfront resort.
2. Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & Spa — Click here for rates & availability.
I would look at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & Spa if you want another beachfront resort option with easy access to the Gulf.
This is a good choice for someone who wants a classic Marco Island beach vacation without necessarily needing all of the scale and amenities of the JW.
Best for: couples, families, beach access, and a more traditional resort stay.
3. Marriott's Crystal Shores — Click here for rates & availability.
For families or groups who want more space, Marriott's Crystal Shores is particularly interesting because it offers two- and three-bedroom villas directly on Marco Island's beachfront.
This is the one I would look at if you like the amenities of a resort but also want a kitchen, living space, and more room to spread out.
Best for: families, groups, longer stays, and travelers who want condo-style space with resort amenities.
Is Marco Island Worth Visiting?
For me, absolutely. But I am admittedly biased.
After spending so many New Year's trips here with my family, Marco Island has become one of those places that immediately brings back memories.
There are definitely Florida destinations with more nightlife. There are places with more shopping. And there are destinations where you can pack every day with sightseeing.
That is not really why I come to Marco.
I love Marco Island because it is easy.
You wake up near the beach.
You spend the day outside.
You go boating.
You look for shells.
You watch the sunset.
You eat seafood.
And somehow a week disappears.
Ready to Plan Your Marco Island Trip?
If you're planning a Marco Island vacation and want help figuring out where to stay, which boat tours or charters are worth booking, or how to put together the rest of your Southwest Florida trip, Ryan and I would be happy to help. We can help with hotels, vacation rentals, tours, activities, and the overall itinerary depending on how much of the trip you want planned. And since Marco Island is somewhere my family has returned to again and again, this is one destination I am especially excited to help people experience.
Reach out to us about planning your trip, and we'll help you put everything together.
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