Vacationing on Marco Island, Florida provides the opportunity to visit one of the best, and little known, beaches on Florida’s Gulf coast. Located just north of Marco Island and only accessible by boat, Keewaydin Island is one of the locals’ best kept secrets. Known as a hotspot on weekends for residents who embrace the Florida lifestyle, if you’re looking for a day on the water with sandbars, seashells and dolphin sightings, Keewaydin is perfect for beachgoers and boaters alike.
Keewaydin Island provides a unique beach experience; as a nature preserve island in the Rookery Bay Reserve, the island has no cars, roads or bridges. Depending on the time of day and where you choose to anchor, the island can truly deliver whatever beach day you desire, from an uninhabited private beach retreat to a party on the water complete with music and food.
Keewaydin Island offers two distinct options for enjoyment. On the Riverside, pull the boat up, if you can, or anchor just off shore and enjoy riding the current on a float. Spend the day playing water games, sunning and fishing, and in the afternoon, take the boat around Gulfside for shelling and exquisite sunsets.
Food by Boat
Pack snacks if you wish, but you can buy food and drinks by boat! Food boats sell ice cream, brats, burgers, hotdogs, French fries, nachos, sandwiches and adult beverages.
How to Get to There
While the only way to reach Keewaydin Island is by boat, there are a few options on how to get there. If you would prefer not to rent a boat, the Hemingway Water Shuttle offers shuttle services taking you to and from Rose Marina on Marco Island. If you would like to be captain for the day, rent jet skis or a boat from one of the various Marco Island boat and jet ski rental facilities.
Insider’s In-The-Know:
The southern tip of Keewaydin is the go-to spot to anchor up with friends. You’ll want to pack for a day on the water. Here’s my suggested pack list:
Beach chairs
Beach towels
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Umbrella
Frisbee or water games
Float
Pack a cooler filled with drinks and snacks
If you’re interested in planning a trip to Marco Island to visit Keewaydin Island and are looking for a Marco Island beach rental for your stay, click here to book now! And of course, our rentals, include many of the suggested beach items.
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Glenn says
Great write up. Keewaydin is tons of fun. Great place to paddleboard and kayak or ride the high tide to low tide down the channel. https://www.paddlemarco.com
Melissa Palmeri says
Visiting Keewaydin is so much fun for everyone!