As the largest and most northern island in the long chain of islets off the coast of Southwest Florida, Marco Island is renowned for its alluring beaches and its luxurious beach-front residences. With a modest land size of only 11 square miles, one might be forgiven for assuming that there would be a dearth of night-time entertainment options in Marco Island. While the island might not exactly be a bustling hub of activity when the sun sets, there are still enough unique activities to make for a memorable night. The onus is really on the traveler to scour the island and appreciate what Marco Island has to offer.
A unique and upscale shopping experience amidst a coastal Italian atmosphere awaits you when you visit the Esplanade Shoppes on North Collier Boulevard. The plush landscaping and the exquisite waterfront residences facing Smokehouse Bay combine to give every shopper a truly memorable shopping experience. If the 50,000 feet of retail space does not prove sufficient for your shopping needs, there is another shopping haven in the form of Marco Town Center.
Lined with cobble stoned pavements and charming little village-styled shops, Marco Town Center Mall (located on North Collier Boulevard at Bald Eagle Drive) provides a warmer and local shopping experience. Whether you are looking for a bikini for a beach outing or the latest fashion to hit the nightclubs, this place has it all. Besides shopping, Marco Town Center Mall also has an impressive selection of restaurants, sidewalk cafes and outdoor night concerts.
At Captain Brien's (Seafood and Raw Bar plus Off The Hook Comedy Club), the freshest seafood and the latest jokes are served. Everything here is made to order. Fresh seafood is flown in from New England daily and even the sauces are prepared from scratch each morning. Some of the menu favorites include the delectable Ipswich Whole Belly Clams and Snow Crab Cluster. Besides having a taste of the ocean, patrons can look forward to being entertained by a steady stream of notable comedians from the comedic circuit. Ralphie May of "Last Comic Standing" fame and Shawn Wayans are some of the notable acts that have performed here. Avoid seating near the stage though, unless you do not mind getting nailed by the comedians for some jokes. That said, there is really no harm in laughing at ourselves once in a while!
To enjoy a staple nightlife diet of dancing, live music and alcohol, look no further than Sway at Naples. Patrons can party to live mixes by in-demand deejays from Miami or just snuggle up to the cozy couches and engage in some people-watching. Most would swear that the open roof top bar of this nightclub has the most activity per square foot of space on the whole of Marco Island!
Whoever said that night entertainment has to be on land? You can have just as much fun embarking on sunset or night cruises on board the "Big Kahuna", a 37' katamaran which offers public trips and private charters. Operated by Luna Kahuna, this sailing experience into the Gulf would allow you to experience the romantic textures of a sunset and the mystical hues of a moonrise. The excellent food and beverage served by a friendly and jovial crew will certainly add gloss to an already wonderful experience.
This tidbit of Marco Island travel advice was brought to you by W.H. Garcia