6 Best Beaches on Marco Island Florida
Are you looking for the best beaches on Marco Island, Florida? Look no further! This beautiful island is home to some of the best beaches in the Sunshine State. From secluded beaches to family-friendly beaches, there’s something for everyone on Marco Island. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your sunscreen and beach towel and head to Marco Island for some fun in the sun!
Marco Island is a beautiful barrier island off the coast of Florida. It’s well known for its white sand beaches, lush vegetation, and wildlife. It’s a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
There are many great beaches on Marco Island, but some are definitely better than others. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the best beaches on Marco Island and what makes them so special.
Marco Island is a beach lover’s paradise! With over ten miles of white sand beaches and over 100 miles of canals, there’s no shortage of places to enjoy the sun and surf.
The Best Beaches on Marco Island Flordia
Depending on where you are staying, hotels like JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort have their own private beach access. But what if you are at a hotel? The best Marco Island Beaches in my personal opinion are secluded and off the beaten track.
Keewaydin Island
If you’re looking for a beach to call your own, Keewaydin Island is a great choice. This eight-mile long barrier island is only accessible by boat, making it the perfect place to escape the crowds. The island is also home to a variety of wildlife, including dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles.
Keewaydin Island in Florida is vital for wildlife, especially as a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles. It is also the only pet-friendly beach on the island. Just make sure you keep them on a leash so as to not disturb the nests.
You can get to the island by the Hemingway water shuttle. It departs seven times a day from Rose Marina. The shuttle takes about 30-40 minutes.
Keep an eye out for Food Boats on Keewaydin Island. They are searching for hungry beachgoers. You’ll find everything from ice cream to hotdogs and a burger barge.
Cost/Parking Fee
For the Hemingway Shuttle, Daily Routes | $44 Adult $24 Child + Tax/Port Fees. Parking is at the Rose Marina.
There is no fee to pull your boat up to the preserve.
Sand Dollar Spit
For a truly unique beach experience, head to Sand Dollar Island. This small island is located just offshore from Marco Island and is only accessible during low tide. As the name suggests, the island is covered in sand dollars. It’s a great place to collect shells and relax in the sun.
One of the lesser-known gems is Sand Dollar Spit – an area of the beach that is rich in sand dollars and other shells. Sand Dollar Spit is located on the main part of Tigertail Beach, across from the lagoon. The area was once an island surrounded by water until storms from the 90’s and 2000’s connected it to Marco Island. Locals knew it for its incredible deposits of sand dollars.
You can walk up, the entire spit and explore the mangroves that collect along the coast and appreciate the shorebirds that nest in the brush.
Cost/Parking Fee
$10 daily per vehicle or $1.50 per hour for non-beach parking pass holders.
See Related: 28 Best Things to do on Marco Island Florida
Tigertail Beach Park
If you’re looking for a beach with a little more action, Tigertail Beach is the place for you. Located on the north end of Marco Island, Tigertail Beach is popular for water sports with windsurfers and kitesurfers. The beach is also a great place to watch the sunset.
Tigertail Beach on Marco Island is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The beach is situated on the Tigertail Lagoon, which actually splits the parking area and the beach. This means that to access the beach, you will likely have to cross the warm lagoon water.
Many people enjoy wading across the lagoon every day – it’s a great family activity. It’s also an accessible and exciting part of the journey. If you don’t want to get wet, you can venture south and bypass the tidal lagoon.
The shallow waters of Tiertrail beach make it a great place for families. Plus it’s one of only a few public beach access points on the island.
If you are an outdoor enthusiast, Tigertail Beach on Marco Island is definitely a place you need to visit. The beauty of the beach and the lagoon is something you will never forget.
Cost/Parking Fee
$8 daily per vehicle or $1.50 per hour for non-beach parking pass holders at the public parking lot. Tigertail Beach has a bath house and five boardwalks leading from the mangrove-lined parking area to the white, sandy beach. There are 226 spaces giving it convenient parking.
South Marco Beach
For a beach that’s close to all the action, South Marco Beach is a perfect choice. This beach is located just south of the Marco Island Marriott Resort and Spa and is within walking distance of many restaurants and shops.
South Marco Beach on Marco Island is one of the best places to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. As the name implies, this beach is on the southernmost end of the island. This area is a great spot, traditionally quieter than some of the other beaches. The crowd here is a mix of day-trippers, condo residents, and some locals.
Make sure to bring all your own chairs, umbrellas, and water toys, as no beach vendors or equipment is provided.
The beach is about four miles long and ends at a rock pile at the very southern portion. South Marco Beach it’s one of the few areas where beachfront restaurants are open to the public. The Sunset Grille is a great spot to escape the sun and refuel.
Whether you’re looking to relax in the sun or get in a good workout, South Marco Beach on Marco Island is the perfect spot for you.
Cost/Parking Fee
The parking fee is $8 per vehicle. Located on South Collier Boulevard, Marco Island, the parking lot has 70 spaces
Residents Beach
For a beach that’s reserved for residents and their guests, Residents Beach is a perfect choice. This beach is located on the south end of Marco Island and is only accessible to residents and their guests.
Marco Island is home to one of the most unique and beautiful beaches in the world, Residents’ Beach. This members-only community offers a variety of different activities for its residents, including swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and kayaking. If you own improved property or rent on Marco Island for one month or longer, you are eligible to join the Marco Island Residents’ Beach. This makes it the perfect place to enjoy all that the island has to offer.
You can also go kayaking or paddleboarding.
The Marco Island Residents’ Beach is a great place to spend time with family and friends. There is something for everyone to enjoy.
Members of Residents Beach will only go to this beach, for good reason. It’s pristine with its white sand beach and plenty of shelling and it’s absolutely stunning with its clear blue waters.
Cost
The cost for Residents beach is a $140 annually. You cannot get access to the beach without being a guest of a resident or a resident themselves
Panther Key Beach
For a beach with a bit of everything, Panther Key Beach is the best place. This beach is located on south of Marco Island and offers a variety of water activities, including swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and kayaking.
Panther Key Beach is truly a hidden gem. Panther Beach is just 25 miles south of Marco Island, in the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Reserve.
This breathtaking beach is sparsely inhabited and isn’t visited as much as the other offshore island beaches. It offers pristine undisturbed wildlife. Visitors enjoy diving, swimming, and kayaking. They can also collect rare, beautiful shells along the shore.
Panther Key is home to bottlenose dolphins, manatees, and several bird species. This is a truly remote beach compared to the more popular Marco Island beaches. There are no restroom facilities on the beach. If you are looking to get away, and maybe go on a bit of an adventure, Panther Key is perfect.
Whether you’re looking to commune with nature or just escape the crowds, Panther Key Beach is definitely worth a visit!
Cost/Parking Fee
Free, the beach is part of Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Reserve. There is no access to the beach by road, so you’ll have to charter a boat or drive your own.
Need a place to stay on the Island. Check out 16 BEST Places to Stay in Marco Island Florida
What is the water like on Marco Island?
Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Marco Island has some peaceful waters. The water temperature fluctuates throughout the year. In winter months it averages 64-68 degrees F. In summer it will rise up to 82-86.
Are there alligators around Marco Island?
If you’re lucky, you might see a dolphin or two swimming near the beach on Marco Island, but don’t count on seeing any alligators. While alligators are found in many parts of Florida, they’re not common around Marco Island.
If you’re looking to see some alligators, your best bet is to head to one of the many state or national parks that are home to alligators. Some of the best places to see alligators in Florida are the Everglades National Park, the Big Cypress National Preserve, and the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
Alligators are shy creatures and tend to avoid people, so you’re not likely to see one just swimming around in the water near Marco Island. However, if you’re patient and do some research, you can find some great spots to see alligators in their natural habitat.
Can I take shells home on Marco Island?
There’s no better place to do that than Marco Island, Florida. This little slice of paradise is renowned for its beautiful beaches and shells. But can you take those shells home with you?
Yes, you can take shells home with you on Marco Island.
1. The best time to go shelling is during low tide. This way, you’ll have more area to explore and more shells to find.
2. Bring a bucket or bag to collect your shells in. This will make it easier to carry them around and keep them organized.
3. Don’t take more than you can carry. There’s no need to take more shells than you can comfortably carry home with you.
4. Don’t take live shells. It’s illegal to remove live shells from the beach, so make sure to only take shells that are empty.
5. Take your time. There’s no rush when you’re shelling. Relax and enjoy the experience!
We love bringing out shelling bags with us whenever we go to the beach. It is vented to allow sand and lets the shell to breathe a little more. You can pick one up on Amazon.
What are the Best Beaches on Marco Island Flordia?
Kind of a loaded question I know, but the Best Beaches on Marco Island is Keewaydin Island. Another great alternative is South Marco Beach. That’s because I’m partial to quiet beaches. If you were thinking about paddling or trying out a water sport, Tiergail Beach is where to go.
