There's no doubt that the main reason for visiting Marco Island is to
enjoy the beautiful beaches, subtropical weather, and calm waters of
the Gulf of Mexico. When you cross the Judge Jolley Bridge and take in
the panoramic view of the island, you can't help but feel that you are
entering paradise.
As a native of South Florida who grew up going to the beach on the
Atlantic side, I much prefer the Gulf side of Florida because it offers
less crowded beaches with very little wave action, cooler breezes, very
little seaweed, turquoise blue water and powdery sand. There's just no
comparison, especially if you're into hunting for sand dollars, conch
shells and other beach treasures or watching dolphin play near shore.
As the largest of Florida's 10,000 islands, Marco Island has become
known as the "Hawaii of the East" for many reasons. For one, it's a lot
less expensive than traveling to Hawaii and the beaches are just as
beautiful. Granted, you won't find big waves for surfing, but you will
find just about every other water sport available. While sitting in the
sun catching rays, you'll see people parasailing or speeding along the
calm waters in their wave runners, or groups of tanned bodies playing
volleyball or throwing Frisbees.
Tigertail Beach and South Beach are the only "public" beaches on the
island, while Resident Beach requires a resident pass to enter. (Be
sure and check with your condo or rental home to make
sure which beaches you have access to.) At Tigertail
Beach, you can rent chairs, umbrellas, water toys, etc.; purchase food
and drinks at the concession stand; play volleyball on the netted
courts; or let the kids play in the designated children's area; but
South Beach has no facilities except a restroom.
There is also a beach on the island that is not designated as a beach,
which is located adjacent to the Judge Jolley Bridge. Both sides of the
bridge offer water access, but it's very rocky, except the area
bordering the Marco Island Yacht Club. There you'll find a stretch of
beach that is sandy and is used for launching canoes and kayaks, but
locals also wade and swim there.
If you'd like a little adventure, there are also public beaches that
you can only access by boat, including Hideaway Beach; Coconut Island,
which is located at the mouth of the Marco River; Cape Romano just
south of Marco Island; and Keewaydin Island, which is just north of
Marco Island off the tip of the Isles of Capri.
One last tip: During the summer months while the Gulf of Mexico water is warm,
swimmers and waders are advised to do the "Stingray Shuffle," until the
waters cool down. That's where you shuffle your feet through the sand
so that stingrays know you're coming and will get out of your way.
Stingrays aren't known to attack swimmers, but stepping on one buried
in the sand can irritate them and their stinger will cause some pain.
No matter when you decide to visit Marco Island, the water temperature
will be perfect for any water activity rarely below sixty or above
eighty and that makes it easy to pick any time of the year to visit.
This guide to the beautiful beaches of Marco Island was brought to you by Sharon Lea Hill
You
know what makes us a vacation EXTREME? The threat of Stingrays. So
head to Marco Island, bask on the beach, and tell your friends you took
an EXTREME beach vacation. They will think you are super cool. And
then show them the pictures of you relaxing in your Marco Island
holiday villa, and they will think you are EXTREME-ly super cool.