Florida is known for its beaches and theme parks, the reasons why thousands of tourists come here every year from every state in the USA and from overseas, in search of relaxation and fun. But Florida also means large areas of uncontaminated and wild nature, where you can discover some of the most striking reserves of tropical flora and fauna. The Everglades is undoubtedly the most famous protected area, but not the only one to visit in the sunshine state.
In the southwest of the state, very close to the city of Naples, there are a number of natural parks of great interest. Among these the Ten Thousand Islands hold a great value. This is an archipelago located along the coast, straddling the lagoon and the ocean. If some of these numerous islands (of which, however, there are one hundred and not ten thousand as the name suggests), are little more than rocks covered with mangroves, others are the habitat of many animals. The largest, and also inhabited by man with a town of over 17,000 inhabitants, is Marco Island. Let’s find out the best things to do.
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Where it is and how to get there
As mentioned, Marco Island is the main one of the Ten Thousand Islands. Since it is an island, one of the most obvious ways to reach it is by boat: one example are the Key West Express tours, which offer catamaran connections between several coastal locations in Florida, including Marco Island.
Marco Island is also connected to the mainland by a bridge, so the best way to reach it, if you have a car, is to drive to the island, where you will have no difficulty finding parking. By car, it takes less than half an hour from Naples, which is the nearest city. Taking the other cities in the southern part of Florida as a reference, it will take you about one hour from Fort Myers and about two hours from Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
If you don’t have a car, or if you prefer to leave it in Naples, know that CAT (Collier Area Transit) buses also run to Marco Island. Route 21 goes around the island, while route 121 comes from the mainland. From downtown Naples you’ll have to make a change, using a different line depending on the area. On the official website, you can find all the details and here you can open the map of the bus routes to have a clear view.
What to see in Marco Island
The island can be visited independently without great difficulty, either by using your own car, or by using CAT bus n.21, which makes a circular route connecting all the most important places.
Among the things not to be missed we suggest the beautiful Tigertail Beach, a long, white beach, which can be reached by walking for ten minutes through the vegetation after leaving the parking lot located on Hernando Dr. In winter, many migratory birds come here to nest, but throughout the year the area is the habitat for many varieties of birds. Among others, it is quite easy to see pelicans and birds of prey such as eagles and hawks.
The long, sandy beach is also a sea turtle nesting site (obviously the nests are protected by special fences). Another really bizarre place is Cape Romano, where you can see some buildings partly submerged by the sea. This place, however, can only be reached by boat, so the only way to visit it is to take part in a guided tour that includes it.
On the island, you will also find a local history museum, if you want to take the opportunity to learn more about the area. But the real value of Marco Island is the environment it is immersed in. In fact, this is the perfect starting point for a tour through the evocative mangrove forests of the Ten Thousand Islands, to discover the rich wildlife that inhabits these islands and the narrow channels that the lagoon creates between them.
Dolphins, turtles and an endless variety of fish are just some of the species you will encounter in these waters. Among all the animals you may come face to face with, the most curious is undoubtedly the West Indian manatee, a distant relative of the walrus now at risk of extinction and therefore protected. The advice? Choose the tour that suits you best and set sail from Marco Island in search of its surrounding beauty.
Marco Island Tours
The best way to explore Ten Thousand Island Nature Park is to take a guided tour. There are many different types, and you can find some last-minute deals on site, but since this is a popular location, it pays to book in advance.
What we recommend is that you take one of the boat tours where you will be accompanied by a nature guide, who can explain the unique natural environment in which you are going to immerse yourself during the trip. Below you can find two of these tours, of different duration, where you will meet dolphins, birds and many other animals.
If you feel like rowing, an alternative is to embark on a kayak tour through the maze of mangroves that makes up much of this magnificent archipelago. Thanks to the agility of a kayak, you’ll be able to go where larger boats can’t get to, discovering even more of what magnificent nature has to offer.
Places to stay in Marco Island 
As you may have guessed, Marco Island is a very popular tourist spot and therefore there are numerous hotels on offer.
- JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort (400 South Collier Boulevard). This is one of the area’s most popular facilities, and perhaps the most luxurious. Built practically on the beach, it houses not one, but two golf courses and three swimming pools.
- Olde Marco Island Inn and Suites (100 Palm Street). As you might guess from the name, it is one of the most historic structures in the area and is less than a ten-minute drive from Tigertail Beach. It may be a recommended choice for those who place value for money as a priority when it comes to choosing a place to stay.
- Marco Beach Ocean Resort (480 South Collier Boulevard). Back to luxury with this four-star property, which offers a spa and exclusive access to the private beach, located just steps from the hotel, as well as the ever-present pool. From the terraces of the suites overlooking the Gulf of Mexico you can admire beautiful sunsets.
- Boat House Motel (1180 Edington Place). A beautiful but at the same time curious solution is this three-star hotel housed in a houseboat. What more characteristic accommodation to stay on an island?
