18 Best Things to Do on Marco Island, FL (2024)

Last Updated on April 11, 2024

Are you looking for the best things to do on Marco Island, Florida?

Marco Island is a city located on a barrier island in Southwest Florida, approximately 57 miles south of Fort Myers and 18 miles south of Naples.

This Gulf Coast city is known for its gorgeous beaches and inland waterways.

These are our recommendations on the top things to do on Marco Island during your visit.

From exploring local bodies of water to seeing different parks and preserves, these are the best places you can visit on a trip to this nature lover’s paradise.

​South Marco Beach

South Marco Beach is one of two public beaches located on the island. This scenic spot has powdery white sand and sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico.

Relax by the shore or go for a stroll along the beach. This is the perfect place to watch the sunset over the Gulf.

The parks are open daily from 8 am to sunset.

TIPS:

• Paid parking is available at the parking lot on Swallow Avenue.
• Be aware that sea turtle nesting season runs between May 1^st and October 31^st each year. The beach is an important nesting area for endangered Loggerhead turtles.

For more information, visit the official Collier County Parks & Recreation website.

South Marco Beach Address: 930 S Collier Blvd., M. Island, FL 34145

Marco Island Historical Museum

Visiting the Historical Museum is a great way to learn about the region’s history.

The main attraction at this museum is the Key Marco Cat, a world-famous artifact on loan from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History.

The Key Marco Cat is a 6-inch-tall half-cat, half-human figure carved from hardwood by Calusa Native Americans some 500 to 1500 years ago.

In addition to the Key Marco Cat, the Marco Island Historical Museum has exhibits on the Calusa Native Americans, early life in Southwest Florida, and other educational topics.

Outside of the museum, the property is maintained with plants, water features, and a gazebo. There is even a large-scale replica of the Key Marco Cat that is perfect for photo ops.

Make sure to check out the gift shop, which has a variety of souvenirs like jewelry, clothes, books, and artwork.

The Historical Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm.

For more information, visit the official Marco Island Historical Museum website.

Historical Museum Address: 180 S. Heathwood Dr., M. Island, FL 34145

Paddle Marco

If you are looking for fun things to do on Marco Island, consider booking a kayak tour with Paddle Marco. This local company has a mangrove tunnels kayak tour, a guided experience through the island’s waterways.

See the island’s natural beauty while paddling on the open water. You might even get lucky and see sea turtles or bottlenose dolphins in the water during your excursion.

In addition to tours, Paddle Marco offers kayak and paddleboard rentals. The company offers free delivery and pick up of their paddling equipment.

Paddle Marco is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 3 pm and Saturday from 7:30 am to 12 pm.

For more information, visit the official Paddle Marco website.

Paddle Marco Address: Caxambas Park, 909 Collier Ct., M. Island, FL 34145

Marco Golf and Garden

Fans of mini golf always enjoy visiting Marco Golf and Garden, an 18-hole mini golf course located on the island.

The outdoor course is a great, family-friendly activity to try during your trip.

This course is surrounded by palm trees and other local plants. As you play mini golf, you make your way around the property’s lush landscape and water features that create a serene garden setting.

Marco Golf and Garden is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm.

TIPS:

• General admission is $13 per adult and $10 per child ages 5 to 9.
• Children under the age of 5 receive free admission.
• Discounted admission is available for seniors and military veterans.
• Complimentary bottled water is available. The property also sells soda and ice cream.

For more information, visit the official Marco Golf and Garden website.

Marco Golf and Garden Address: 971 Winterberry Dr., M. Island, FL 34145

Otter Mound Preserve

​Otter Mound Preserve is a small, 2.45-acre preserve managed by Collier County. This is a great place for a short walk through nature.

Walk along the mulched path and see plants and wildlife that are native to the area. Gopher tortoises, armadillos, bobcats, and many species of birds call this area home. 

Within this preserve, check out a bit of history in the form of a decorative shell wall built in the 1940s. The wall was built with discarded oyster and clam shells left by Calusa Native Americans over a hundred years prior.

It’s fascinating to see remnants left by the island’s previous inhabitants, a reminder of the region’s lengthy history.

This preserve is free to visit and has a small parking lot.

​Otter Mound Preserve is open daily.

For more information, visit the official ​Collier County website.

​Otter Mound Preserve Address: 1831 Addison Court, M. Island, FL 34145

Rose Marina Boat Rentals

Rose Marina is an excellent place to go if you want to rent a boat during your trip. The marina has boat rentals that accommodate up to 10 people that can be reserved in advance.

These rentals can be taken out to Keewaydin Island, a nearby barrier island that is only accessible by boat.

The island is great for picking seashells, swimming, or just lounging on the beach.

The marina has a shop onsite, Island Coastal Outfitters. This is a convenient place to pick up last-minute boating items, like fishing gear, or purchase souvenirs like clothes and hats.

Rose Marina Boat Rentals is open daily.

TIPS:

• Reservations are recommended.
• Boat rentals can be reserved online on the marina’s website.
• Reservations are available for half-day or full-day periods.

For more information, visit the official Rose Marina website.

Rose Marina Boat Rentals Address: 951 Bald Eagle Dr., M. Island, FL 34145

Marco Island Princess Cruises

The Marco Island Princess is a boat operated by Sunshine Tours & Charters. If you don’t want to rent a boat from the Rose Marina, taking a Marco Island Princess cruise is the best way to get out on the water.

You can choose from a variety of sightseeing cruises, which go around the waters of the Marco Island area, including the Ten Thousand Islands.

To enjoy a meal with your cruise, consider a lunch or dinner cruise. Lunch is served buffet-style, while dinner is a more upscale, multi-course experience.

Our favorite option is a sunset cruise, timed throughout the year to make sure guests can view a beautiful sunset on the Gulf of Mexico.

Marco Island Princess Cruises is open daily.

For more information, visit the official Marco Island Princess website.

Marco Island Princess Cruises Address: 951 Bald Eagle Dr., Marco Island, FL 34145

Tigertail Beach Park

Tigertail Beach Park is another public beach park to visit on Marco Island. There are some great things to enjoy at this park, including a playground and a picnic area.

The park has convenient amenities for a beach day, with a paid parking lot and onsite restrooms.

This beach is a fantastic place for shelling, swimming, and bird-watching. The county opened a bird-watching tower here in 2016, where you can spot a variety of native and migratory birds.

Tigertail Beach Park is open daily from 8 am to sunset.

For more information, visit the official Collier County Parks and Recreation website.

Tigertail Beach Park Address: 430 Hernando Dr., Marco Island, FL 34145

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is a great place in the Marco Island area to learn about the region’s unique natural environments.

The reserve protects over 100,000 acres of mangrove forest that many different species call home.

Hiking, fishing, paddling, and boating are all popular activities to do in this area.

If you enjoy primitive camping, there are designated camping areas in the reserve, which are perfect for disconnecting and immersing yourself in nature.

The Environmental Learning Center teaches visitors about this protected area with exhibits, an aquarium, a touch tank, nature trails, and more.

TIPS:

• Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is open daily.
• The Environmental Learning Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm.
• General admission for the learning center is $10 per adult and $5 per child ages 4 to 12.
• Children ages 3 and under are admitted to the learning center for free.
• Access to certain areas of the reserve may be restricted seasonally.

For more information, visit the official Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve website.

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Address: 300 Tower Rd., Naples, FL 34113

Marco Island Brewery

Marco Island Brewery is a cool spot to visit for food and drinks while visiting the island.

The brewery has the largest selection of draft beers available on the island, which rotates to include limited releases.

If you are hungry, there are plenty of options on the lunch and dinner menus here. Choose between soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, seafood specialties, homemade pizza, and other tasty entrees.

Marco Island Brewery is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 am to 12 am and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 1 am.

For more information, visit the official Marco Island Brewery website.

Marco Island Brewery Address: 1089 N Collier Blvd., Marco Island, FL 34145

Frank E. Mackle Park

Frank E. Mackle Park is a community hub in Marco Island.

Not only does the park have features like a playground, picnic area, and walking path – it also has a water splash park, dog park, community center, and designated areas for sports like basketball, shuffleboard, and volleyball.

Because of its community center and large outdoor space, this park is the perfect place to host community events and classes.

Everything from knitting circles to line dancing to art festivals is held here.

Frank E. Mackle Park is open daily from dawn to 9 pm.

TIPS:

• The Community Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm, and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.
• The Canine Cove Dog Park is open daily from 8 am to dusk.
• Visit the city’s event calendar to view different classes and events being hosted.

For more information, visit the official City of Marco Island website.

Frank E. Mackle Park Address: 1361 Andalusia Terrace, Marco Island, FL 34145

Marco Island Center for the Arts

Marco Island Center for the Arts is a wonderful place to visit to immerse yourself in art and culture. The center has three galleries with rotating exhibitions.

The center welcomes submissions from artists and hosts student shows where emerging artists can display their work.

The Arts Center Theatre is the place to go for local theater productions, hosting a variety of plays and other live performances throughout the year.

Marco Island Center for the Arts is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.

For more information, visit the official Marco Island Center for the Arts website.

Marco Island Center for the Arts Address: 1010 Winterberry Dr., Marco Island, FL 34145

Sweet Annie’s Ice Cream and Candy Shoppe

Sweet Annie’s Ice Cream & Candy Shoppe is the perfect spot to visit to satisfy your sweet tooth.

The shoppe is one of the oldest ice cream parlors on the island, having established itself in 1986.

Sweet Annie’s boasts a selection of over 40 ice cream flavors – from classics like chocolate chip to innovative options like Garbage Can, a vanilla ice cream with pieces from seven different candy bars mixed throughout it.

While you are there, you can also find and purchase a variety of vintage candies and sodas.

Sweet Annie’s Ice Cream & Candy Shoppe is open Sunday through Thursday from 12 pm to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday from 12 pm to 11 pm.

For more information, visit the official Sweet Annie’s Ice Cream & Candy Shoppe website.

Sweet Annie’s Ice Cream & Candy Shoppe Address: 692 Bald Eagle Dr., Marco Island, FL 34145

WOW Marco Island Jet Ski Tours

WOW Marco Island is a company that offers jet-ski tours and rentals. This is a great option for thrill seekers who want to get out on the open water.

The company’s Whole Island Dolphin Tour is a two-hour experience that takes you around Marco Island and through mangrove forests.

Often, tour groups come across dolphins while making their way around the island.

If you are comfortable with going out without a tour group, WOW Marco Island also offers hourly jet-ski rentals.

WOW Marco Island is open daily from 7 am to 7 pm.

TIPS:

• Jet-ski drivers must be at least 16 years old and have a boater’s safety license.
• It is recommended that you arrive 30 minutes before your tour or rental time.

For more information, visit the official WOW Marco Island website.

WOW Marco Island Address: 917 N Collier Blvd, Marco Island, FL 34145

Additional Things to Do in Marco Island

Everglades National Park

• Explore the Florida Everglades by visiting one of the state’s great national parks.
• For more information, visit the official National Park Service website.
• Everglades National Park Address: near Everglades City, FL, and Homestead, FL.

Marco Island Farmers’ Market (seasonal)

• The Marco Island Farmer’s Market is a seasonal market that runs from November through April.
• For more information, visit the official City of Marco Island website.
• Marco Island Farmer’s Market Address: Veterans Community Park, 914B Lambert Rd., Marco Island, FL 34145

Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge

• Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge is a protected wildlife area that consists of many uninhabited islands.
• For more information, visit the official U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website.
• Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge Address: south of Marco Island, FL

CJ’s on the Bay

• CJ’s on the Bay is a local favorite with delicious seasonal menus and waterfront dining.
• For more information, visit the official CJ’s on the Bay website.
• CJ’s on the Bay Address: 740 N Collier Blvd., Unit 105, Marco Island, FL 34145

If you enjoyed this article about things to do in Marco Island and are looking for a few other recommendations, check out these suggestions:

• Adventure into the Florida Everglades on the Paradise Coast
• 14 Best Airboat Rides in Florida (2024)
• 7 Places to Discover in Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands
• An Ultimate Guide to Fort Myers & Fort Myers Beach (2024)
• Ultimate Guide to Naples, Florida 2024
• A Guide to Great Florida Seafood Festivals in 2024
• Top 10 Best Beaches in Southwest Florida
• A Beginner’s Guide to Identifying Common Florida Seashells