Top Things to Do on Marco Island
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For those of you who don’t know where or what Marco Island is (I didn’t know before I moved to Southwest Florida), it is a barrier island at the bottom of Florida’s West coast and is a little pricey at that. There are tons of waterways, beaches, resorts, & restaurants which make it a fantastic place for a getaway and is home to many snowbirds during the winter months. Lucky for me, I have the pleasure of knowing someone whose family lives on the island so I’ve been able to visit a handful of times over the last year and have developed a list of top things to do on Marco Island all while fueling my new addiction of shelling! One very important thing to point out is that during peak season hotel prices and rentals are at their highest & in turn, the island is very crowded so expect long wait times if you plan on visiting from November-April. If you’re flexible, try to visit outside of peak season and I promise you’ll enjoy your stay a little more! For those of you who are missing the sunshine and all things beach related, the Beachly subscription box is great until you can make the trip to the Sunshine State!
Things to do on Marco Island:
Dome Houses & surrounding 10,000 Islands - The intriguing Dome Houses (pictured below & the main image), were built in 1981 at the tip of Cape Romano as an actual home (the architecture is super cool!) but as the shoreline has eroded, the houses are now partially submerged in the ocean and only accessible by water. Visiting the Dome Houses is a must while on the island! There are tons of boat or jet ski rental companies on the island to accommodate your needs. Also, be sure to explore the surrounding 10,000 Islands as well. No, there aren’t really 10,000 of them but there are enough to keep you busy for a while and they span from Marco Island towards the Florida Keys. Some are pristine sandy beaches while others are covered in mangroves. Either way, you’ll always find something new!
Marco Island Princess - This was part of my birthday surprise last year & I loved every minute of it! The Marco Island Princess is a tour boat leaving daily from the Rose Marina & offers sightseeing cruises as well as dinner & sunset tours. We did the sunset cruise where they took us out to sea to watch the sunset with no obstructions and then back to port. They also offer holiday cruises for Easter, Christmas, etc. It’s a great activity for everyone and a great way to see the island.
Hit the beach - Marco Island has a handful of public beaches but some of my favorite areas to go to are:
Tigertail Beach - located on the North West part of the island, there’s not only a gorgeous beach but also more serene areas if you’re willing to walk. There’s also kayak & paddleboard rentals here.
Keeywadin Island- probably the most popular island only accessible via water. On the weekend you can find tons of boats tied up here enjoying the sun. I’ve also seen dolphins on the way to Keeywadin every time so your chances are high!
Hideaway Beach & Big Marco Pass - If you’re at Tigertail Beach & you keep walking North & curve with the beach then you’ll arrive at Big Marco Pass where all the boats go out to the ocean. And if you keep walking, it turns into a little inlet with Hideaway Beach on the other side. This is a great spot for shelling, picnics, and tying up your boat to spend the day!
Shelling - This is one of my favorite activities while on Marco since tons of shells wash up here. Like I mentioned above, the Hideaway Beach area is a great spot for shelling, but like every other beach, if you don’t get there before all the groups of people then you won’t find the best shells so get there early! (*Tip: after a storm is a great time to go shelling!) If you really want to find some cool shells then try to explore sandbars & other little islands surrounding Marco. We usually explore on a jet ski & find tons of shells (one haul is pictured above) to the East of Cape Romano. Just remember - NO LIVE SHELLING! Make sure there are no little creatures living in your shells.
Let’s move on to some of my favorite places to eat & grab drinks. From breakfast to beach bars to fine dining, I’ve got you covered!
Favorite Places to Eat on Marco Island:
Doreen’s Cup of Joe - A must for breakfast! Every time I’ve visited there’s a wait but it’s well worth it. The décor is super cute & they have both indoor & outdoor seating. They source most of their food locally & use real Vermont maple syrup (the only option in my eyes)! Their french toast is one of my favorites but they have all of your breakfast staples & a yummy lunch menu as well.
Empire Bagel Factory - Two words… homemade bagels. NY style at that! I always make it a point to stop here when I leave the island & head home. They serve basic coffee, tons of bagel varieties, muffins, & even bagel sandwiches for lunch. Dine in is available here for a casual setting.
Fin Bistro - Hands down my favorite place in all of Florida so far! If you’re looking for a nicer dinner with amazing seafood, this is for you. Dinner at Fin Bistro was part of my birthday surprise last year & I still to this day will bring up how amazing the food was. I had the seared Chilean sea bass and it was mind blowing. Cannot recommend enough!
Kane Tiki Bar & Grill - Located outside, right on the beach at the JW Marriott Marco Island, Kane Tiki Bar is perfect for a day time drink when you’re having a beach day. You do not need to be a guest, you can just walk right up to it from the beach and sit at the bar.
Stilts Bar & Grill - Located at Marriott’s Crystal Shores, this is a great option for lunch or dinner with a view. The outdoor patio overlooks the beach which is a huge added bonus. The food here is casual fare such as salads, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, etc.
Tesoro - The ideal place to catch the sunset if you’re not sitting in the sand. Tesoro is a Mediterranean restaurant in the JW Marriott a few floors up and has a large patio where you can grab a glass of wine with an undisturbed view of the sunset. It does get a little crowded for sunsets so I suggest getting there a bit early.
Marek’s - Another great option for fresh seafood that’s also not your typical casual restaurant. Marek’s has been around since 1996 & has become somewhat of a staple on the island. Both the service & food are perfect so you can’t go wrong.
Marco Island is small but that’s what makes it unique & such a great place to escape to! There’s not an overwhelming amount to see or do here but exploring the outdoors and nature is the best thing Marco Island has to offer. I hope you find this helpful in planning your next trip to the island and Florida can’t wait to have you!
Happy travels!
-Tess
Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!
