Marco Island and Why We Go Back

We have been to Marco Island, Florida countless times, always in the winter months (between January, February and March). The beaches are to love, as well as the weather, the restaurants and all Marco Island has to offer. It is also one of the most southern parts of Florida (besides the Keys). We feel like Marco Island has the best chance of warmer and sunny weather, especially in the months of January, February and March. These are the reasons we love Marco Island and why we go back. In this post, I will talk about activities to do with the family (including fishing), restaurants to eat at, and places to stay on Marco Island.

Disclaimer: Links may contain affiliate links. This means I may get a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Getting There And Renting a car

Firstly, I book all my flights through Expedia. We always take a non-stop flight to Fort Meyers (RSW) and typically we are traveling to Marco Island in January, February or March. I really do prefer when we fly Delta, but this really depends on when we go, flights available, and cost. Sometimes, we save hundreds of dollars by using a different airline or moving our travel dates a day or two.

Before we move on, here is the luggage and carry on we use. I love my Samsonite Suitcases. They have a hardshell and roll SO SMOOTHLY! The travel backpack keeps us on top of our organization game. It has a space for my computer with a TSA approved lock for security.

Car Rental Tip

Next, here is one of my favorite travel tip, USE ALAMO AT RSW! When it comes to travel, one of the biggest headaches we have, is focused around car rental. We have had many circumstances with waiting in lines for SO LONG waiting to get our rental. I don’t know if anyone else feels this pain too? Anyway, we will not use anything but Alamo at RSW. They have “Skip-the-Counter” which is a GAME CHANGER! Prior to leaving home, we check into our rental through Expedia. When we arrive in Florida, we walk right out to the cars, choose the vehicle we want in the category we paid for and we drive away.

This is especially a great tip if you fly to Marco Island during their busy spring break period, February, March or April.

Where to Stay

After that, we will look at where to stay. Our family prefers to rent homes (VRBO, Airbnb, etc.). We have stayed in several different rentals on Marco. Typically we look for is a house with 2-3 bedrooms, a private pool and on a canal. Even though I prefer a rental over a hotel, if I had to stay in a hotel, the JW Marriott is a beautiful option. After a long day at the beach or activities in the Everglades, my happy place is to be poolside with the family and watching the kids swim or fish the canal on Marco Island.

Although the canal is a huge perk for a boy who loves to fish, it’s also a big perk if you want to use a boat. However, even if you do not fish or boat, it is still great. I love waking up to sunny weather in the morning and sipping my coffee looking over the water. It’s always a huge bonus when dolphins and/or manatees swim by (which they do).

Here are some places we’ve stayed or would stay…

Furthermore, don’t forget your traveling fishing pole! We take along this traveling fishing pole for our son to use in the Marco Island canal. This folds down and fits into our suitcase. He could fish the canals all day!

If you wish to start your VRBO search, here is a link.

Where to Eat – Marco Island Restaurants

We love our dining experience on Marco Island. The choices are endless and sometimes it can be hard to decide where to eat, but here is a list of some of our favorite restaurants on Marco Island. Remember that restaurants on Marco Island can be busy, especially during February, March or April. Reservations are not a bad idea.

Here are some not-to-miss restaurants on Marco Island:

1. Snook Inn: Located on the water, Snook Inn offers a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Although it’s a popular spot for seafood lovers, serving dishes like coconut shrimp, fresh fish, and their famous “Snook Bites.”, it will please any palate. Enjoy your meal while watching boats sail by on the Marco River. Our favorite memory here is our kids trying oysters for their first time… Let’s just say they didn’t like them. This Marco Island restaurant is the perfect choice for the family after a day of beach activities.
2. Sale e Pepe: This upscale Italian restaurant is situated in the Marco Beach Ocean Resort and offers elegant dining with stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico. Furthermore, the menu features authentic Italian cuisine, including homemade pasta, fresh seafood, and an extensive wine list. If you’re on a budget, you may want to skip this one.
3. CJ’s on the Bay: Nestled on Smokehouse Bay, CJ’s on the Bay provides a picturesque waterfront dining experience. Their menu includes a mix of seafood, steaks, and salads. It’s an excellent spot to catch a beautiful sunset while enjoying your meal.
4. Sunset Grille: More of a relaxed atmosphere. We go to the Sunset Grille pretty much every time we go to Marco, especially if we spend a beach day on the south public beach. The food and drinks are wonderful.
5. DaVinci’s Ristorante Italiano: A family-owned restaurant offering traditional Italian dishes with a warm and friendly ambiance. Their menu includes classics like pasta, pizza, and veal, all made with fresh ingredients. Without a doubt, an excellent choice for an Italian restaurant.
6. Mango’s Dockside Bistro: Situated at the Esplanade Shoppes, Mango’s Dockside Bistro offers a mix of seafood, steaks, and Caribbean-inspired dishes. The outdoor seating provides views of the marina and live music on select evenings. In addition to this, the patio on a sunny day can’t be beat!
7. The Oyster Society: As the name suggests, this restaurant focuses on fresh oysters and seafood. They also have an extensive raw bar and serve dishes with a modern twist.
8. Marco Prime Steaks & Seafood: If you’re in the mood for a delicious steak, this upscale restaurant is the place to go. Undoubtedly, they offer high-quality cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and an elegant dining setting.

Activities and Attractions on Marco Island

Here are some of our favorite activities to do on Marco Island (and some a little off the island) with the family:

1. Relax on the Beach: Firstly, Marco Island is known for its stunning white sand beaches. Spend your days soaking up the sun, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, building sandcastles, and taking long walks along the shoreline. Our favorite beach on Marco is Tigertail Beach. This is on the north end. It’s usually a little less busy and the shelling is fantastic, without a doubt! Especially if you continue to walk north. Below you will see pictures from shelling during one of our beach trips, as well as a spider we saw.

Furthermore, here is my favorite Beach Accessory. I Love my waterproof phone pouch! Beyond protecting my phone from water, it also protects it from sand. I love having this so I can take beach pictures because Marco Island has picturesque beaches.

2. Dolphin Watching Tours: Take a boat tour around the island to spot playful dolphins in their natural habitat. Many tour operators offer guided trips where you can observe these delightful creatures in their element. In general, I love getting out on the water and this is a perfect way to do it in Marco Island beautiful weather. We have done a dolphin tour twice, once in February and once in March, it’s a great family friendly activity on Marco Island and some even stop at beaches around Marco for shelling.

3. Sunset Cruise: Thirdly, Enjoy a romantic or family-friendly sunset cruise. Witnessing the breathtaking sunset over the Gulf of Mexico is an unforgettable experience. Marco Island has some beautiful weather for a great sunset Cruise!

4. Kayaking and Paddle-boarding: Explore the island’s waterways and mangroves by kayaking or paddle-boarding. You can rent equipment or join a guided eco-tour to learn about the local ecosystem. Wonderful activity in Florida’s sunny weather.

5. Fishing Charters: Marco Island is a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts. Charter a fishing boat and head out into the Gulf for a chance to catch a variety of fish, including snook, tarpon, and redfish. This is highly suggested! We go every time we are down there. Check out some of our catches below. Sunny March Marco Island weather calls for good SPF fishing gear!

6. Everglades National Park: Everglades National Park is a vast subtropical wilderness located in southern Florida, encompassing 1.5 million acres of wetlands, sawgrass prairies, and diverse ecosystems. It is renowned for its unique wildlife, including alligators, crocodiles, and various bird species, and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. We have enjoyed airboat tours, dolphin watching tours, fishing and just driving in the park looking for alligators. The Everglades is not on Marco Island, but we have taken several day trip there and done a few fishing charters. This is the perfect day trip for those looking for a break from Marco Island’s beaches.

7. Explore Keewaydin Island: Keewaydin is a little island north of Marco. We rent a pontoon to get there, but it is one of my favorite excursions and definitely should be #1 on my activities on Marco Island. You could rent for a full day or a few, if you’re on a canal. We took our pontoon out to Keewaydin early. Along the way, we saw many dolphins and manatee. Keewaydin has some of the best shelling around. Check out the size of some of our shells in the below pictures. Also, if you go at the right time, there could be a “food boat” at the island that you can purchase lunch from. If Marco Island beaches are too busy for shore fishing, Keewaydin is a great second choice.

8. Golfing or mini golfing: If you enjoy golf, you’ll find several golf courses on and near Marco Island. Play a round surrounded by lush greenery and stunning views. However, if real golfing isn’t your thing, Marco has a fun mini golf course, Marco Golf & Garden.

9. Marco Island Historical Museum: Take a break from the sun and learn about the island’s history, including its Native American heritage and early pioneer days. Furthermore, the museum features exhibits and artifacts showcasing the island’s past.

10. Water Sports and Jet Skiing: Last but not least, some water sports. For the more adventurous, try jet skiing, parasailing, or other water sports. Local operators offer rentals and guided experiences for those seeking an adrenaline rush. Water sports are one of the top activities on Marco Island.

11. Raining on Marco Island? One more side note. If you happen to get rain on your sunny vacation to Marco Island, read this post about activities to do with the family Marco Island when it’s raining.

Finally, I hope you enjoyed my take on Marco Island. We go to Marco almost yearly and we will continue to return. Marco Island has awesome restaurants to discover, fun activities to enjoy and undoubtedly amazing sunny weather.