Marco Island: A Piece of Paradise on the Gulf Shore

One of my favorite things to do on Marco Island is take a boat tour. The Dolphin Explorer is the best tours for families who want to see and learn about local dolphins. There are other boat tours that take you to different eco-locations around the island.

Marco also has amazing fishing tours for all experience levels, from day-long deep water tours to shorter close-to-shore tours. The captains always know where the fish are biting and can give you all kinds of hidden gems and interesting facts about the local environment.

If you love to shop until you drop, this is the destination for you! There are several blocks of boutique shops sprinkled all around the island, though some are only open seasonally. There is also all kinds of shopping in neighboring Naples.

Another fun island activity is shelling. Take a boat to one of the many small islands or sand bars that form during low tide and pick out beautiful seashells from the Marco sand.

The best activity on Marco Island is a sunset stroll along the beach. You will be hard pressed to find more beautiful sunsets than those you see on Marco Island. This activity can quickly become an after-dinner family favorite.

Snook Inn is one of the more famous restaurants on the island. Snook is right on the water and specializes in fresh seafood. Not only are the views amazing, but you can also often spot a dolphin or, if you're really lucky, a manatee!

Joey's Pizza is a delicious Italian restaurant with a variety of hearty Italian dishes and scrumptious desserts, including the best tiramisu you can find.

Quinn's on the beach, located at the JW Marriott, is a restaurant specializing in American fare. There is also a bar that comes alive a night, often with live entertainment. It's also a great place to catch a mealtime sunset.

If you desire a delicious steak, Marco Prime is the place to go. Their surf and turf is also a can't-miss.

Dolphin Tiki Bar is a family favorite, with tables in actual tiki huts on an inlet marina. The menu features seafood with American favorites, along with a variety of island-inspired cocktails for the of-age crowd.

Sand Bar, another family favorite, is the place to go to catch the big game. Lots of TVs and lots of options for all family members.

Sunset Grille is located in the Apollo resort on the beach and is also an excellent place to catch a breathtaking sunset. They sport a full food and bar menu, as well as a kids' menu.

Margarita's is the place to go if you have a taste for Mexican food. This is a festive restaurant with delicious food and drinks.

One of the more unique places to eat on the island is Marco Movies, a movie theater that plays all of the new movies and also offers a full dinner and drink menu.

If you are craving a sweet treat, head right around the corner from Marco Movies to Beebe's Ice Cream. They have a wide variety of flavors for everyone in your party.