Marco Island Beach(South Marco Beach)

Located in the town of Marco Island, Marco Island Beach is a long, wide, and white sand beach that is considered among the most popular beaches on Marco Island.  A small lagoon separates Marco Island Beach from Sand Dollar Island which is home to many birds including pelicans, bald eagles, falcons, osprey, least terns, red knots, and piping and snowy plovers.  Marco Island Beach is also a popular birdwatching destination and was listed as one of the best birding sites in Southwest Florida by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.  

Although Marco Island Beach does not have lifeguards, the beach offers many amenities including restrooms, picnic tables, playgrounds, a snack bar, and a small café named Nicky P’s Café.  If you are looking for additional amenities, you can rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas from a hut-shaped concession stand on the beach.

There are many fun activities at Marco Island Beach including swimming, kayaking, sailing, birdwatching, and stand-up paddleboarding.  Visitors can also watch dolphins swimming offshore and collect shells on the beach.  Please note that Marco Island Beach remains open from 8 a.m. till sunset.

Getting to Marco Island Beach is very easy – the beach’s paid parking lot is situated at the intersection between South Collier Boulevard and Winterberry Drive and is a few yards from the beach.  There is an $8 fee at the parking lot, which has 210 parking spaces.

If you are looking for attractions near Marco Island Beach, you can drive five minutes to a few nearby attractions.  Marco Island Historical Museum features exhibitions that provide information on the Calusa Indians and the history of development on Marco Island.  Marco Island Center for the Arts is a fun tourist attraction that offers monthly art exhibits, classes, and workshops for children, adults, and families.  Another great attraction near Marco Island Beach is The Island Country Club, a country club with a golf course, café, and tennis courts.

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants within a three-minute drive of Marco Island Beach.  Italian Deli and Market is a waterside restaurant with a nice menu that includes portobello mushroom dishes, pasta, gnocchi, and desserts.  The American restaurant CJ’s on the Bay serves starters, salads, burgers, rolls, tacos, wines, and vegan items.  Another good restaurant near Marco Island Beach is Sami’s, a pizza restaurant featuring homemade pizza, breadsticks, and chicken wings.

If you are looking for a hotel near Marco Island Beach, you can drive two minutes to the 4-Star Marriott's Crystal Shores features a bar, fitness center, snack bar, game room, an open-air restaurant, fishing tours, and two pools.  Marco Beach Vacation Suites is an upscale 3-Star hotel with a pool and Raquetball room.  If you are looking for an affordable hotel near Marco Island Beach, The Boat House Motel is a 2-Star hotel that welcomes pets and offers a pool – and boating and canoeing tours.