7 Days of Fun In The Sun...
We've been asked many times what activities we'd recommend to first time visitors. There are so many things to do it's hard to know where to start, but here goes.... We're assuming that funds are unlimited (which, sadly, isn't always true) and the weather is perfect (which, happily, it usually is). Also that the vacationers are able-bodied and energetic (they'll need to be if they do everything we suggest here!) but don't forget, the ideas are interchangeable and along the way we've listed many other ideas which may be more applicable, so mix and match to create your ideal plan. For those of you who are only staying for a few day we've also marked with * the things we consider to be absolute “must sees”.
DAY 1 - Orientation
Walk on South Beach
Break yourself in gently with a stroll along the beach at the south end of the island. It's great to sit on the rocks at the tip of the beach, breathe in the clean salt air and watch fisermen, birds and boats go about their business. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of some dolphin or a manatee swimming by, and you should be able to find some great shells here at low tide so don't forget to take a shelling bag along with you. If you need refreshements the Sunset Grille at the Apollo condominiums (yellow building next to the public access) is open for lunch and the terrace offers a great view of the beach.
Marco Island Trolley Tours
Get your bearings on this narrated 1 hr, 45 minute tour of Marco and Goodland. You can get off at any of the stops along the way and reboard later, but check that you're not on the last tour or you'll get left behind!
Eco/Sightseeing Boat Tours*
SW Florida is famous for its wonderful wildlife and an eco boat tour is one of the best ways to see, experience and learn about it. You can expect to see dolphin (often jumping behind your boat!) manatee, osprey, and many other water birds on most trips. Many of the private boats will also customize your tour to include sightseeing in the canals of Marco and Naples, and perhaps lunch or dinner at a waterside restaurant.
Sunset at a beachside bar*
The sunsets don't come much better anywhere that they do on Marco Island and they can seem even more spectacular with a cool glass of something in your hand! We recommend the terrace at the Sunset Grille or the chickee hut at Capri Fish House.
DAY 2 - Getting to know us!
Parasailing
This has to be the most exciting way to get the vest view of Marco Island! You can see for miles from up there, often spotting fish and dolphin in the clear water below. It's safe and fun for all ages so call Marco Island Ski & Watersports, who are based at the Marriott (239-642-2359), Hilton (239-642-3377) and Surf Club, to book the ride of a lifetime!
Everglades Adventur Tours*
You just can't come to SW Florida without visiting the Everglades - it would be like going to Africa and not going on Safari! We recommend before you go it alone you book a trip with Vantastic Tours (239-394-7699), a Marco based company which will take you there in style in a comfortable air-conditioned van. The trip includes an airboat ride and is a very easy and informative way to see this unique environment. (Don't forget to take bug spray and wear cool clothing.)
Marco Island Princess
Round off a great day with a trip on this beautiful 84' boat which offers sunset and dinner cruises and leaves from Rose Marco River Marina daily (239-642-5415).
DAY 3 - Three alternatives for a full day of fun
Charter Fishing*
Marco and the 10,000 islands are world famous for amazing sports fishing and, because of our uniques location, you can choose between deep sea, near shore/reef fishing and backwater fishing, each of which offers its own unique challenges and rewards.
Golf/Driving Ranges
Of course golf is the other thing for which SW Florida is famous and there are literally hundreds of great courses in our area, although many of them are private and for members only. Here are a few suggestions of golf courses in Naples which are open to the public: Marriott's Golf Club at Marco, 239-793-6060; Lely Flamingo Island & Mustang Golf Clubs, 239-793-2223; Forest Glen, 239-354-1898. Local driving ranges include: Coral Isle Golf Center, 239-732-6900 and Naples Golf Center, 239-775-3337.
A Day at the Spa
All that fresh salt air and sunshine can play havoc with your skin and hair, so why not pamper yourself with a luxurious day at one of Marco's fabulous beauty salons/spas? We recommend: SeaSide Day Spa; 239-393-2288, Salon & Spa Botanica; 239-394-6633, Skin Renewal Systems; 239-394-1083, Essential Blends; 239-642-0034, South Beach Hair; 239-642-0506 or top up your tan so you can make everyone back home jealous at Marco Tanning Salon; 239-642-3646.
DAY 4 - it's Adventure Time!
10,000 Island Waverunner Adventure
Marco Island Ski & Watersports offer another wonderful way of enjoying the pristine waters that surround Marco Island: a jet ski safari leaving from the beach and travelling through the 10,000 islands, seeing incredible scenery and wildlife along the way. Please note that there are age restrictions unless you tak a safety course and pass a test at the beach before your trip, so get there in plenty of time. Call 239-642-2359/239-642-3377.
Learn to Waterski or Wakeboard with waterski professional Captain Dustin Beatty, of Waterski & Wakeboard Charters in his brand-new purpose built ski boat. 239-825-7015.
Rent a Bike/Scooter/Surry
Renting a bike or scooter from Scootertown on Front Street is a fun way to get around Marco Island and enjoy the great outdoors. They also offer rental tandems, beach strollers and skates as well as surries, which are great fun for all the family. Free cycling maps of Marco are available there too. Call 239-394-8400.
After all that pedalling you'll be ready to kick back and watch a good movie at Marco's unique movie theater. They offer four separate screens and, believe it or not, you can enjoy anything from a cold beer to a full meal while watching the movie. Call 239-642-1111 for schedule.
Fishing from the Bridge or Your Dock
You may not be able to see them from the road, but there are two fishing piers under the Judge S S Jolley Bridge at the northern entrance to Marco. Night fishing from here for snook, tarpon and red fish, etc. etc. is great and you can rent some rods from Cedar Bay Yacht Club, 239-642-6717.
DAY 5 - Naples and Nature
Rookery Bay Environmental Leaning Center
You'll pass right by this facility on 951 on your way to Naples. It's a great place to learn about the flora & fauna of the area.
Prime Outlets
On your way to Naples you'll also pass this strip mall of brand name factory stores which offers some great bargain shopping. (If you're a shopaholic, you'll also want to visit another larger factory outlet mall, Miramar Outlets on I-75 at exit 123, about 40 minutes from Marco.)
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
This is one of my favorite places in the whole world! The board walk through ancient forest is alive with incredible wildlife. If you can, go on a sunny day because dappled sunlight filtering through the trees makes everything especially beautiful. Choose the long walk (2.5 miles) or take a shortcut - either way it's amazing.
Shopping or Sailing
Naples offers several great shopping areas: Waterside Shop, The Village on Venitian Bay, Coastland Mall, and the upscale stores and galleries on 5th Avenue South and 3rd Street North. Or if shopping isn't your thing why not set sail on Sweet Liberty, the area's largest sailing catamaran. Leaving from Naples City Dock you can scope out the spectacular homes of Naples Bay on your way for a sunset, nature or island shelling cruise. When you start feeling a little peckish there are lots of great restaurants to choose from here, Chops and Yabba are our particular favorites on 5th Avenue and Tommy Bahamas on 3rd Street.
Adventure Golf
On the way back from Naples work off a few of those calories with a round or two of miniature golf at Coral Cay. It's fun for all ages and you'll pass it on your left on US41.
DAY 6 - Two ways to Get Away From it All!
Rent Your Own Boat
Now that you're feeling a little more at home it's time to head to Cedar Bay Yacht Club, 239-642-6717, where they rent brand new top quality boats. Try your hand at fishing, tour the canals to see the beautiful homes, or take a beach picnic with you.
Day Trip to Key West
Sit back and relax on this 3 hour boat trip with Sea Key West Express (239-394-9700) because you'll need all your energy when you arrive at one of the most exciting places in the USA. You can purchase tickets on board for the Key West Trolley (which meets the boat at the dock) and, if you don't know Key West, it's a great way to get your bearings. The boat leaves dialy (weather permitting) from Rose Marco River Marina on Bald Eagle Drive and you can either come back the same day or stay over, returning on another day (be sure to check that the boat is running on the day you plan to return because trips are sometimes cancelled in advance if the weather forecase is bad).
DAY 7 - A Fond Farewell
A Final Walk on the Beach*
End as you started, with a walk on the beach - this time from the other public access at Tigertail Beach. We suggest you head south around the lagoon and then north up the beach. In spring and summer you'll pass thousands of nesting birds on this part of the beach, which is unsurpassed in natural beauty and the shelling is great, especially after a storm. When you get back to Tigertail there's restrooms and showers, a caf‚ and kid's play area. You can also rent beach cabanas.
Drive to the Everglades
Now it's time to explore the everglades on your own. The Collier Seminole State Park is the first attraction you'll come across as you join US 41 heading east. Then there's Port of the Islands, where you can take an eco boat tour or a Manatee Sightseeing trip. You can also revisit some of the places yousaw with Vantastic Tours, like Fakahatchee Strand, where you'll likely see baby alligators and wonderful birds; stop by Everglades City and maybe take a small airboat ride and/or a wildlife safari at Jungle Erv's (1-877-695-2820). Everglades Adventures, which is also based in Everglades City, (239-695-9107) offers guided bicycle and kayak eco tours as well as kayak fishing. The Rod and Gun Club is good for a waterside lunch and Ted Smallwood's Store, a fascinating old Indian trading post in Chokoloskee is also a “must see”. And, last, but not least, take a drive down the long dirt road at H. P. Williams to see the Everglades at their natural finest and alligators in abundance.
Sunset Sail*
And now we've saved one of the best 'til last... a romantic sunset sail into the Gulf of Mexico either on the Kahuna, a beautiful 42 passenger catamaran (239-642-7704) or with Off the Hook Adventures (239-571-4665) a 27' catamaran which offers either party or private charters. The perfect ending to the perfect week!