Marco Island, Florida offers unspoiled beauty from hidden bays to proximity to the majestic Everglades. There’s also plenty for kids to see and do around Marco Island for a family-friendly adventure. Here’s where to get started.
Go Shelling
Shell hunting is a popular pastime in the Marco Island for grown-ups and kids alike. Start your search at Tigertail Beach for some of the best shelling in the area. Bonus points that the area has a concession stand to refuel hungry shell hunters and a playground for the kids. Look for mollusks, conch, moon snail, lightning whelk, and others to take home a slice of Marco Island.
Cool Off at Mackle Park
Take a break from the beach and take the kids to Mackle Park & Community Center. Stroll along the walking paths and cool off at the water spray park or get wild at the playground. There’s also an open field area, bocce courts, shuffleboard courts, and activities for toddlers to teens.
See a Movie
Cool off with a family-friendly film at the Marco Island Movie Theater. The family-owned theater shows first-run movies like Abominable and new Disney features. Take a fresh to order item from their expansive menu right into the theater and settle into comfortable seats accompanied by a small table. Choose from chicken fingers, sandwiches, wraps, pastas, and pizzas to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Play a Round of Mini Golf
Kids with a competitive streak love Marco Golf and Garden to try their skills at mini-golf on picture-perfect greens. Spend the afternoon on a fun but challenging 18-hole course winding through a gorgeous garden. The course also offers complimentary bottled water and ice cream and snacks available for purchase.
Enjoy Some Watersports
Dive right into adventure with Marco Island Water Sports for wave runner rentals, water sports, and tours. You can also take one of their catamaran eco-cruises right up to the edge of the Everglades or parasail above the Gulf of Mexico. Open seven days a week; you can also book a private group activity for your kid-friendly family reunion.
Take a Backwater Boating Adventure
Blend adventure with a tour of Marco Island on a Craig-Cat tour. Climb aboard the unique Craig-Cat watercraft, sit down, stretch out your legs, and let the engine speed up to 30 mph or take it slow to take in the sights. These easy to use boats give families a chance to see area wildlife and the beauty of the island while a guide leads the group from a separate boat. Learn more about Backwater Adventure here.
See a Manatee
One of the best parts about visiting Southwest Florida is the native manatees roaming the open waters. Kids and grown-ups alike are mesmerized by these gentle creatures. Take a 90-minute educational manatee tour to see manatees up close in their natural habitat with See Manatees 2 Ways. Read our blog post about spotting manatees and dolphins.
Go Fishing on a Fishing Charter
Pack in the fun in Marco Island with Sunshine Tours & Charters. The team specializes in taking guests to some of the best offshore, near coastal, and back-country fishing. From novice to expert, all anglers will enjoy a fishing trip in the beautiful waters of Marco Island.
Cool Beans Sailing Cruises
Plan an afternoon on the water with a three-hour day cruise with Cool Beans Cruises. Their sailing catamarans hold up to 20 guests, as well as a smaller option for six guests to create a more intimate family experience. Their knowledgeable crew boasts decades of sailing experience and knowledge of the area for a fun, lively, and educational tour.
Naples Kayak Company
Get off the island and see Florida’s unspoiled beauty with Naples Kayak Company. For an unforgettable view of Southwest Florida, take a kayak or SUP tour lead by a Florida Master Naturalists and ACA Certified Instructors in Isle of Capri, Big Cypress Preserve, Rookery Bay, or Everglades National Park and keep an eye out for oyster reefs, hidden bays, and winding mangrove tunnels.
The real beauty of Marco Island, Florida is how versatile and flexible the area is whether you’re a kid or a grown-up. Bring your love for the great outdoors and design your perfect must-do adventure.
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