Boating on Marco island offers incredible opportunities to view the abundant sea life of dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, and tropical fish. You will also get the experience of viewing the magnificent waterfront mansions while sipping on cocktails and enjoying a stunning sunset.
According to research, the population of Marcos Island has grown 10.53% since the last census survey. Florida’s paradise coast is a magical experience and has enough activities to satisfy your entire family.
Whether you want to relax with your family, participate in water sports, soak up the stunning scenery, or feast at one of the many high-rated restaurants, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The main attraction, however, is boating on Marco island, which is an adventure in itself.
The only question is, what are the best spots for boating on Marco island?
If you want to make the trip to Marco island fun for the whole family, keep on reading to learn how you can satisfy everyone’s sense of adventure with an exciting tropical island boat trip.
Keeywaydin Island
Just because you are visiting Marco Island, does not mean that you have to stay on the island the entire time! There are many smaller islands nearby just waiting for you to explore such as Keeywaydin Island and Coconut Island.
Keeywaydin Island has a large nature reserve, long stretches of idyllic beaches, and has the perfect remote island vibes. There are no cars, roads, or bridges on the entire island, so you can really get a chance to fully relax and let your guard down.
Because of this, Keewaydin Island is known as the best boating beach in all of Naples. There are multiple public boat launches in the area, so you have plenty of options for exploring.
For more information, check out our article on Keeywaydin Island and all the activities that you can experience.
Wildlife Near Marco Island
Because of the location of Marco island, some sights can only be seen and accessed by boat. This includes the abundant sea life that is waiting for you and your family to experience.
Whether you are a wildlife lover or not, Marco island is home to some incredible natural habitat. As you meander through the canals, you may have a chance of spotting the rare manatee about 3 to 7 feet below the surface.
These gentle creatures are a very special sight and are known to get quite close to the boats due to their curiosity, which makes them vulnerable to propellers so please be careful while boating in the area.
You cannot leave Marco island without going on a dolphin and whale watching adventure. This region is home to the infamous bottlenose dolphin, which has been popular since the 1964 series “Flipper”. As your guide takes you out for a boating experience, you will find these magical creatures riding the waves of the boat. Get your cameras ready, as you may get a chance to see some of their acrobatic flips and jumps.
Perhaps one of the best reasons to go boating on Marco island is the chance to spot some of the Loggerhead sea turtles. There are approximately 80 nests laid per year on the protected beaches of Marco Island between May and August. Even if you are visiting for a short time, you can join in and help protect these creatures during their nesting season.
If birds are more your thing, then you can sign up for a Marco island bird watching adventure. Here you will get the chance to spot pink flamingos, Snowy Egrets, Sandhill Cranes, Roseate Spoonbills, Peregrine Falcons, Ospreys, Bald Eagles, Burrowing Owls, and more. Many of these birds are a rare sight to see, but much easier to spot if you are on board a boat.
Boating Activities
If you are more of the adventure-lover, then there are many boating activities ready for you to enjoy! You can rent a catamaran or pontoon and sail over to the pristine Keewaydin Island, which is known as the best boating island in the Naples area.
You can also drive the boat right up to one of the many boating restaurants and boat vendors and enjoy some delicious food with your family, then relax under the sun and soak up some rays. Afterward, you can put on your snorkels and flippers and swim with thousands of tropical fish in the area.
If you want a bit more activity, you can rent paddleboards or kayaks and explore some of the little crevices along the coast, or paddle along the coast of Tigertail beach.
If you are traveling with your friends, there are numerous fun activities to do for a fun getaway, such as jet-skiing the 10,000 islands, luxury boat tours, brunch spots, spa experiences, and plenty of luxury accommodations!
How To Rent a Boat in Marco Island
There are countless options when looking for boating on Marco island experiences, and it really comes down to your preferences. If you are counting on spotting wildlife, you can charter one of the many dolphin-spotting cruises. Or, if you want to relax and sip on cocktails, there are many sunset cruises available.
If you are an experienced boater, there are also options available for you, just make sure you are up to date with the safety requirements of boating on Marco island. There are many narrow canals and mangrove areas that you should be careful around, especially with numerous kayakers and wildlife.
The prices for renting a boat on Marco island range from about $260 for four hours, to deals for a full week’s rental. Because there are so many options for boats available, the cost really depends on the type of boat you rent.
Learn More About Boating on Marco Island
Now that you know all there is to know about boating on Marco Island, it is time to start packing! The weather on Marco island is quite warm all year long. Which makes Marco Island a great winter getaway for the whole family!
To learn more about boating on Marco island, or find the perfect place to stay, feel free to contact us at any time.
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