Beach Resort Guide
Marco Island
Marco Island Beach Resort Guide
Introduction
Once a quiet out-of-the-way spot known only to avid Florida anglers, Marco Island's enviable crescent of white quartz sand on the Gulf of Mexico made its rapid development inevitable. The skyline of old fishing shacks has been replaced by numerous high rise hotels and condominiums reminiscent of Miami Beach. Yet this cookie-cutter Florida skyline is deceiving since you'll find a surprisingly large number of outdoor and natural attractions here and nearby: fly fishing for leaping hundred-pound tarpon, canoeing or kayaking miles of mangrove creeks, shell collecting on nearby deserted offshore islands or birding in a region rich with more than 200 species. Marco Island also is an ideal base for exploring the famed Florida Everglades wilderness only a short drive away, one more reason why this is such an ideal all-around destination for families, couples and eco-tourists.
Who goes there?
In summer, Florida families with young children populate the beaches. At Christmas, the population of 14,000 residents swells to more than 30,000 as resident ‘snowbirds' migrate from northern states to enjoy the subtropical climate in their private condos or second homes.
Where in the world?
Marco Island is the largest of Southwest Florida's Ten Thousand Islands in the Gulf of Mexico, connected to mainland USA by two bridges. Technically within the Everglades region, it is about 24km (15 miles) west of Naples and 161km (100 miles) east of Miami. The primary airport, Southwest International Airport, is at Fort Myers, 86km (53 miles) to the north. The transfer takes about 90 minutes.
The 5.6km- (3.5 mile-) long stretch of beach faces west toward the Gulf of Mexico, the ideal location for sunset watching. Most resorts are crowded along a 3km (2 mile) stretch at the southern end. Many of these beach sections are open only to residents. The remaining 2.4km (1.5-mile) northern section has been preserved as Tigertail Beach Park, a public beach more impressive than any of the sands along condo row.
The 5.6km- (3.5 mile-) long stretch of beach faces west toward the Gulf of Mexico, the ideal location for sunset watching. Most resorts are crowded along a 3km (2 mile) stretch at the southern end. Many of these beach sections are open only to residents. The remaining 2.4km (1.5-mile) northern section has been preserved as Tigertail Beach Park, a public beach more impressive than any of the sands along condo row.
When to go?
Marco Island is subtropical and humid, with winter temperatures being an average of 16°C (60°F) and summer months around 27°C (80°F). The busiest times to visit are around Christmas when holidaymakers flock here for some winter sun and the summer school holidays from June to August, although the constant sunshine makes it a great year-round choice.
Beach
The 2.4km (1.5-mile) Tigertail Beach Park has everything, including rental jet-skis, a children's playground, changing facilities, snack bar and loads of private space only a short walk beyond the beach umbrellas clustering near the crosswalks. A small sandbar just offshore creates a tidal pool perfect for shelling at low tide. Once the tide brings in deeper water, it becomes a popular swimming hole and practice area for wind surfing. The beach is open from 0800 until sunset. There is a minimal charge for car park usage but the magnificent sunsets are always free.
Beyond the beach
Wildlife watching couldn't be easier with a remarkable colony of burrowing owls living virtually in the centre of the island. The small brown birds with piercing yellow eyes are most commonly seen standing at the entrance to their underground nests near dawn and dusk. Anglers will want to wet a fishing line by travelling offshore for grouper, king mackerel, amberjack or snapper. Even more popular is ‘backcountry' fishing in small shallow skiffs seeking redfish, snook, tarpon and sea trout near the expanse of mangrove islands. Golf is readily available at many championship courses a short distance away near Naples.
Family fun
A half-day sail or powerboat trip to collect seashells on nearby uninhabited islands is probably the favourite family activity. You'll be amazed at how many shorelines are blanketed entirely by shells instead of sand. You'll need a good identification guide to sort through the 400 possible different varieties such as lightning whelks, true tulips, fighting conchs, lions' paws, calico scallops and Florida sand dollars. This is one treasure hunt where no one ever returns empty-handed.
Retail therapy
Anything needed for a beach vacation is readily available in the hotel boutiques and speciality shops that stock everything from bathing suits and designer wear to sandals and sunglasses. Look for more extensive offerings at the Italian-styled Esplanade Shoppes, Residences and Marina, located on Smokehouse Bay on North Collier Boulevard. The nearby Marco Town Center Mall (www.marcotowncentermall.com), an old Florida style village with tin roofs and cobblestone paths, is less upscale, more eclectic and more family friendly.
A night on the town
The fun starts early, beginning about half-an-hour before dark when locals and visitors alike stake out their favourite spot to watch the sun's glow fade beneath the Gulf of Mexico. The liveliest place for sunset watching is the Snook Inn's outdoors Chickee Bar, famous for its Bloody Mary with pickled okra. In mosquito season, the hungry insects may force everyone to seek cover inside, where the drinks are just as satisfying. Afterwards there isn't a great deal to do at night outside a lounge or bar in a hotel or restaurant. The biggest event of the week is held during daylight, every Sunday from noon to 1900 at Stan's Idle Hour Seafood Restaurant in nearby Goodland. It's not a fish fry but a big outdoor barbecue with a live country band. Live performers also play Wednesday through Saturday nights.
Eating out
Fresh seafood is featured in all the restaurants but the special item everyone hungers for is the stone crab. The fresh tasty claws contain an incredibly sweet claw meat you have to extract yourself before dipping the meat in butter. Never be overheard comparing this to eating lobster claws; that could be taken as an insult to the locally harvested stone crabs, which are released unharmed once their claws have been taken. Stone crab season lasts from 15 October through to 15 May.
Getting around
Except for a tourist trolley that offers a quick tour of the island's highlights, there is no public transportation. Hiring a rental car at the airport in Fort Myers for driving to Marco Island is an easy journey since all of the roads are marked and well maintained. A car hire is also the only way to visit any of the numerous attractions around the island and in the nearby Everglades.
Exploring further afield
The classic way to journey deep into the Everglades to find nesting birds and sun-basking alligators is by airboat, a flat bottomed craft powered by an airplane propeller on the back. If shopping is highest on your list, the elegant shops in nearby Naples are only 30 minutes away. To travel truly far afield, board a fast boat (3.5 hours each way) to fabled Key West to spend a half day touring America's southern most city.
Splashing out
Even though the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort & Spa on Collins Avenue (www.marcoislandmarriott.com) has undergone an impressive US$187 million renovation, Quinn's on the Beach still welcomes barefoot patrons for the nightly sunset. Relax at an outside table just a stone's throw from the Gulf of Mexico while sipping one of Quinn's frosty speciality drinks: Rum Runner, Miami Vice or a Dirty Banana. After sunset, enjoy the live band playing light rock or reggae and the casual Caribbean-style menu.
Flying in
Fort Myers: Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
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