Marco Island can be found in Collier County, Florida, just 20 miles to the south of Naples. Marco Island is often considered the “gateway to the Everglades”, and it’s home to some of the most stunning areas of natural beauty in the whole of Florida.
This awe-inspiring island is a part of the infamous Ten Thousand Islands, and its become a popular tourist destination thanks to its natural beauty and close proximity to Naples, which offers more in the way of nightlife and shopping attractions.
If you want to be secluded without being isolated, Marco Island is the place to be!
If you’re thinking of taking a trip here on your next vacation, we’re here with our roundup of 6 of the most amazing things to do in Marco Island, no matter your budget (see also “Amazing Things To Do In Key Largo“). So sit back, relax, and start planning your trip!
If you’re visiting Marco Island during the early Spring, you may be in time to pay a visit to the Marco Island Seafood and Music Festival!
The Marco Island Seafood and Music Festival usually takes place in March each year, and it runs for around three days, giving you time to visit and make the most of the experience.
The Marco Island Seafood and Music Festival is one of the most anticipated events in Southwest Florida, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
You can expect plenty of live music, and plenty of seafood specialities for you to try, including shrimp, crab cakes, crawdads, chowder, and much more. You’ll also have access to plenty of beer and wine to help wash your seafood down!
This is the ideal festival for foodies, and it’s also great fun for kids, too.
The festival has its very own kids zone, complete with a rock climbing wall, a trampoline, bounce house, and slide, so they’ll have plenty to keep them occupied while you make the most of the food and drink!
You’ll also be able to visit a massive 60 arts and crafts vendors that will be on display for the whole of the festival.
Ticket prices may vary, however, you can expect to pay $10 for a single-day ticket and $16 for two-day admission!
Art and culture lovers won’t want to miss the opportunity to visit the Marco Island Center for the Arts.
The Marco Island Center for the Arts brings together a collection of artwork from both regional and local artists of Florida. The eclectic displays are bold and vibrant, and the local art in particular is celebrated for its colorful displays and charm.
Most pieces are influenced by Florida’s stunning coastlines and endless sunshine, so you know you’re in for a treat!
If you want to do more than just explore the artwork, you can even take an art class here, or view one of their popular film series that show regularly at the center.
The Marco Island Center for the Arts also hosts a number of interesting monthly exhibits, live entertainment, and has regular guest speakers visiting.
We’d recommend checking the Center’s website before visiting, so you can decide which activities you want to take part in!
Do you have a little time to spare away from the kids? Why not make the most of your trip to Marco Island with a visit to the Marco Island Brewery?
Marco Island Brewery has over 50 beautiful craft beers available on tap, so you can really immerse yourself in the best drinks on the island. The Marco Island Brewery is the perfect place to stop by for an evening meal or a few chilled drinks after a busy day.
Since the brewery came under new ownership, it’s also expanded its food menu to include a stunning selection of homemade dishes and signature desserts that you’ll go crazy for.
Just a few of the most popular items on the menu include firecracker shrimp, blackened chicken taco salad, and fried Louisiana oysters!
If you want to visit the brewery during the day, you can take advantage of their super-tasty lunch menu that includes the likes of bruschetta, loaded nachos or tots, jumbo wings, and much more.
Best of all, Marco Island Brewery has the largest selection of draft beers on the island, and there’s truly something for everyone.
Whether you prefer a fruity beer or cider, or something a little more traditional, you’ll find the right drink for you here at Marco Island Brewery. When you’re stopping by Marco Island, this is one place you’ll want to visit!
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, we have just the activity for you – a trip with Breakwater Adventures!
Breakwater Adventures are Marco Island’s leading provider of exciting, water-based tours, including dolphin tours, shelling tours, wakeboarding and waterskiing, tubing, and much more!
So, no matter what adventure you’re craving on Marco Island, you’re sure to find it here. Dolphin tours are arguably one of the most popular excursions offered by Breakwater Adventures, and yes, dolphin sightings are guaranteed!
On a dolphin tour, you’ll also get to see manatees, rays, wild birds, and much more – all nestled in their natural habitats! You can take up to 6 passengers on a dolphin tour, and private 2-hour tours start at $395.
If you want to get a bit more active on the water, why not take a wakeboarding or water skiing tour? Best of all, you won’t need any previous experience to get started, as Breakwater Adventures specializes in beginner lessons!
Beginners and intermediate wakeboarders and water skiers can hone their skills around the island with private instruction for groups of up to 6 people. You can also choose from a 3 or 5-hour package depending on how long you want to spend on the water!
If you want to make your trip to Marco Island one to remember, this is one opportunity you won’t want to miss out on!
Next up, we have one activity that’s sure to get the whole family coming back for more – Marco Golf and Garden!
Marco Golf and Garden is so much fun for both adults and kids alike, and you’ll be able to immerse yourself in a fun (yet challenging) mini-golf course complete with 18 holes, and surrounded by a beautiful tropical garden.
Marco Golf and Garden also offers 12 handicap and ADA accessible holes. This course is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm, so you’ll have plenty of time to stop by on your trip and challenge your friends and family to a game of mini-golf!
This course is also well-maintained and filled with plenty of interesting statues to add more intrigue to your game. You’ll even see water features throughout the course, which provide the opportunity for some great photo ops!
Don’t worry – there’s also plenty of opportunity to grab refreshments throughout the course, and kids under 5 play free! So, what are you waiting for? No trip to Marco Island is complete without a trip to Marco Golf and Garden!
Last on our list we have Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. If you’re craving an escape into nature on your trip to Marco Island, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is one place you’ll want to add to your bucket list.
At Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, you’ll find 14,000 acres of land to explore – making it one of the biggest cypress swamp areas in the US.
There are so many beautiful things to see and do throughout the sanctuary, and it’s a hotspot for bird watchers who’ll get the opportunity to see plenty of rare, beautiful birds along the way.
One of the sanctuary’s biggest attractions is its elevated boardwalk which stretches for 2.5 miles. This gives you the perfect opportunity to spot snakes, alligators, and even predatory birds from a safe, and whole new perspective!
If you’re visiting between November and March, you’ll also get to take part in the complimentary boardwalk tour, which we’d thoroughly recommend if you want to learn more about the wildlife around you.
In addition to seeing some beautiful wildlife and scenery, you’ll also get to take part in workshops and round off your visit with a trip to the beautiful Tea Room Cafe!
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is the ideal place for nature lovers to check out on their trip to Marco Island.
The Bottom Line
Marco Island is a destination like no other. If you’re considering Marco Island as your next vacation destination, we hope these six activities have given you the inspiration you need to start planning your getaway!
Hello, it’s great to have you here. My name is Julia and I am a travel blogger! I have been writing all of my life, and previously worked for a travel agency where I would recommend the best places to visit in the states.
If you are ready to take on the world, explore the sights, and see some of the most incredible places on offer, then take a look at some of my articles!
