Spotting Dolphins and Manatees in Naples and Marco Island

The Gulf waters around Naples and Marco Island, Florida are teeming with amazing marine life. Visitors and residents can book a wildlife tour with local tour operators for an up close and personal visit with some of them.

Here's How To See Manatees And Dolphins in Naples and Marco Island, Florida. Must Do Visitor Guides | MustDo.com

Where to See Bottlenose Dolphins in Naples and Marco Island, Florida

One of the Paradise Coast’s most popular marine residents is the bottlenose dolphin. Arguably one of the most playful and intelligent creatures on the planet, dolphins can often be seen swimming alongside Naples and Marco Island sightseeing tours. Bottlenose dolphins can also be spotted from the beach where they cruise close to shore to fish. Dolphins are social mammals and usually live in groups or pods of up to 30, although pods of have been recorded of more than 1,000!

Two Bottlenose Dolphins jumping out of the water in southwest Florida. Must Do Visitor Guides | MustDo.com — Shutterstock

Check out these operators for an opportunity to see bottlenose dolphins: Cool Beans Cruises, Pure Florida Sightseeing and Sunset Cruises, Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center Eco-Cruises and Kayak Tours, and Marco Island Water Sports Dolphin, Shelling, and Wildlife Cruises.

Where to See a Manatee in Naples and Marco Island, Florida

Manatee pokes his/her nose out of the water in Florida. Photo credit Bree Silhavy. Must Do Visitor Guides | MustDo.com — Photo credit Bree Silhavy

Another of Naples and Marco Island’s favorite wildlife inhabitants is the West Indian manatee. Known as sea cows, manatees love the warm shallow waters around Southwest Florida. These gentle marine animals can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh as much as 1,200 pounds. Manatees are plant eaters, and an adult will normally consume up to 10 percent of its body weight per day – that is over 100 lbs. of vegetation! A cruise or kayak trip is a great way to view these amazing gentle giants.

Manatee swimming in the water Naples and Marco Island, Florida. — Shutterstock

Check out these operators for an opportunity to see a manatee: Naples Kayak Company, Manatee Eco-Tours, Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center Eco-Cruises and Kayak Tours, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, and Marco Island Watersports Wildlife Cruises.

An encounter with a manatee or dolphin is sure to be one of the highlights of your Naples and Marco Island, Florida vacation.

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Where to See Dolphins and Manatees in Naples and Marco Island, Florida. Must Do Visitor Guides | MustDo.com

Written by: Nita Ettinger

Nita Ettinger is Co-publisher for Siesta Publications Inc. and the Editor in Chief for Must Do Visitor Guides. Must Do Visitor Guides provides Southwest Florida visitor information through printed magazines and the website MustDo.com. Must Do magazines are published bi-annually and are available at no cost in Sarasota, Lee, and Collier County Chamber of Commerce, visitor information centers, select Southwest Florida hotels, and wherever free publications can be found.