Florida Vacations - Marco Island

Marco Island Florida

15 miles south east of Naples, 53 miles south of Fort Myers

Marco Island is a bustling resort community located at the northern end of the 10,000 Islands wilderness reserve. 

(*** This area comprises the western coastline of the Everglades and most travel publications include Marco Island under their Everglades section. We have opted to include it along with other vacation islands located in the south west)

The Marco Island of today is a far cry from when Captain William Collier traded pelts with Native Americans, sold smoked fish to Key West and charged guests $2 a day for a room in his home.

With the development of beach resorts, condominiums, shops, restaurants and winter homes, Marco Island has become an up-market vacation destination and sought after location for winter homes. 

Marco Island's primary attraction is its magnificent 4 mile (6 km) long crescent-shaped beach and its easy access to the  10,000 Islands wilderness reserve. Marco Island offers vacationers excellent boating and fishing, sightseeing cruises and every imaginable water sport.  The island is also the western gateway to the Everglades.

About Sanibel Island And Captiva Island 

14 miles west of Fort Myers, 40 miles north of Naples

Sanibel and Captiva Islands have resisted the high rise development, entertainment parks and neon signs that are the hallmarks of Florida vacation resorts.

They are the southernmost of the 100 islands that make up the Gulf Barrier Islands and make excellent day trips from Fort Myers. The islands are noted for their glorious beaches which are covered with an unbelievable assortment of shells, especially Sanibel Island.

Visitors to the islands quickly adopt the "Sanibel Stoop" in which they spend a considerable part of their day bent forward from the waist as they search out yet more shell treasures.

The Bailey Matthews Shell Museum is a good place to start learning about shell history, the rules of collection and shelling etiquette. Local residents are aware of the treasure they have and actively participate is schemes to protect the islands. 

Advertising sizes and building heights are restricted, water craft must remain at least 300 yards off shore and the Sanibel beaches, tress and tropical flora is protected.

Despite their small size and permanent communities, more than half of the the islands consist of wildlife refuges offering walking and bike trails, canoeing and kayaking.

The J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel covers over 6000 acres and is considered one of Florida's best reserves.

Getting There & Getting Around

Access to the islands is by car or water. Neither Sanibel nor Captiva has public transportation and parking is at a premium. In fact, No parking is permitted on any street or road on Sanibel.  Many residents and visitors choose to get around by bicycle.

  Marco Island vacation highlights  :: getting the most from a Marco Island vacation

Photos courtesy of Lee County And Marco Island Visitor & Convention Bureau

Marco Island
Sanibel Island & Captiva Island
Florida vacations