![]() You may even spot a manatee along the way!Īs an added bonus, some tours offer time to play on the beach, or the opportunity to take part in an ongoing research project on bottlenose identification. Half-day and full-day excursions will lead you through the dense patches of forest, before entering the open waters that so often offer glimpses of bottlenose dolphins. Tours generally pass through Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, a spectacular area in its own right. One of the most popular and fun things to do in Marco Island, dolphin-watching offers the chance to rub elbows (or fins) with some fantastic marine life. 3 – Go dolphin watchingĬome on, you can’t go to the Gulf and not look for dolphins! It’s just another part of the intriguing story of the area’s first residents. ![]() On that note, be sure to see the Key Marco Cat, a beautifully carved statue that was one of the first artifacts uncovered in the area.īelieved to be between 500 and 1,500 years old, the statue is crafted from local hardwood, and was almost perfectly preserved because it was submerged in unoxygenated mud.Īfter years of being displayed in different museums, the statue finally returned to Marco Island in 2019. The main exhibit is a recreated village of the Indigenous Calusa people, who lived in the region for 6,000 years.Īs you walk through the reconstructed buildings, you can learn more about how the Calusa people thrived in the pre-Columbian era, fishing the local waterways and creating works of art that can today be found in museums all over the country. Marco Island has a rich and fascinating past as an agriculture, fishing, and clamming hub, and you can see the tools of those trades on display at the Marco Island Historical Museum. 2 – Explore the past at the Marco Island Historical Museumįor a more culturally-focused (but no less exciting) outing, check out this monument to the history and people of the region. You can also rent a paddleboard or kayak to cruise around the lagoon, or head further out to the beach itself for largely unspoiled wilderness and stunning views. The main park offers concession stands and plenty of places to unwind.įor nature lovers, there are birdwatching, seashell collecting, and chances to meet the local marine life in one of the beach’s many tidepools. Today, the area offers a range of options for relaxation and exploration. The beach only formed 15 years ago, when Hurricane Wilma layers of sediment onto a preexisting sandbar. It also comes with a fascinating history. This quiet stretch of sand is a great place to enjoy the famous Florida beach scene, with pristine white sands leading straight to the warm, beautiful waters of the Gulf. Whether you like culture or nature, action or relaxation, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in Marco Island.Īnd if you love the water, it’s heaven on earth! 1 – Soak up the sun at Tigertail Beach Have a calm day on the beach, or a wild day trying watersports. Visit the cultural institutions in town to enjoy history and art, or go for a hike (or a sail, a paddle, or a peddle) to get a closer glimpse at the thousands of plant and animal species that call the area home. It’s also an easy drive to the Everglades, one of the country’s most unique and beautiful wild areas. But there are more than enough activities around town to keep vacationers happy. In many ways, it makes a perfect home base for adventures in other places it’s very close to the busy cities of Naples and Fort Myers, and only a couple of hours from the bustling metropolis of Miami and the island vibes of the Florida Keys. Located in southwest Florida, right on the Gulf of Mexico, this little town offers tons of activities in a quiet, idyllic setting. Looking for a beach getaway without the big-city bustle? Then Marco Island might be the perfect place for you.
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