Visiting Marco Island, Florida

We had a great time together at Marco Island, Florida! It was filled with fun activities like hugging little alligators, watching dolphins jump in the boat behind us and shelling at low tide!

Marco Island, Florida things to do beach things fun activities

Hilton Marco Island to the beach!

It was the vacation we needed and I wanted to share a blog post of photos and also share the to do list at the end of this post of the fun things to do in Marco Island and also surrounding areas like the everglades and Naples. All the outfits I’m wearing are Lilly Pulitzer, I have a closet full and knew that it was the perfect occasion to bring it all out and I loved it!

Bright colorful outfits are perfect for blue skies and white sandy beaches in Marco Island, Florida. We loved our trip so much we stayed at the Hilton for four nights. It was a very long trip getting there and back but it was absolutely worth it. We had three full days and felt it was a good length, maybe we could have stayed one extra day and gone to the beach again (I once fell asleep in my chair it was amazing!)

Marco Island Florida trip tips and where to go and things to do
dolphin watching in Marco Island Florida things to do
alligator show Wooten's airboat tour in Marco Island Florida things to do
where to stay in Marco Island Hilton Florida hotel view
3 hour dolphin cruise things to do
Naples Botanical Garden
things to do in naples Florida naples botanical garden
things to do in Florida Marco Island

I also got to see a very long time special friend of mine Maya Vander who you know on Netflix’s Selling Sunset! We have been friends for almost 20 years and I am so grateful for her making time to see us and also grateful we were able to catch up, I miss living in the same city as her!

Maya vander Netflix's selling sunset
Maya vander Netflix's selling sunset

A big thanks to my friend Brittany who really knows Marco Island from her trips there, she too the time to give me some great tips! I am also including her recommendations below and some activities we found but didn’t go to due to time but I am going to list them anyway!

 


Things to do in Marco Island, Florida


Go shelling at low tide (early AM)

shelling at Marco Island Florida at low tide

Head to the beach at low tide before the sun rises and see what shells you can find! Careful, there will be some live creatures so let them be as the tide will rise again and take them back home!

shelling low tide in Marco Island Florida


3-hour Dolphin Cruise

We did the dolphin sunset cruise which I highly recommend, and sit in the back corner to watch them jump! It was only $69 per person. It was such an incredible experience, you will not just be seeing them in water, they will follow the boat and jump because the driver knows how to find them and get them to ride the wave inland! Make sure you tip the driver he does a great job!

https://dolphin-study.com

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Marco Island Eco Tours (drive your own boat)

https://marcoislandecotours.com


Shelling, fishing, or 10,000 islands tour

https://www.biminitwistcharters.com


Wooten’s Everglades Airboat Tours

Airboat rides are always fun, this is a little out of town by maybe 30 minutes tops but something I think everyone needs to do if there’s a chance you can hop on an airboat!

https://www.wootenseverglades.com

Wooten's everglade tours hold an alligator everglade tour air boat tour In Florida


Shop at Alvin’s Island

There are a few of these in the south that sell local tourist focused location items, like sweatshirts and shorts with the city name and little alligator heads, stuffed animals, shirts, cups, mugs, the collectibles and touristy memorabilia! It is so large! I’d compare it to an ABC stores in Hawaii without the food or groceries.

https://www.alvinsisland.com

Alvin's island in Marco Island Florida shopping tourist


Go the the beach!

White sandy beaches with some shells that you gotta watch out for if walking barefoot ;) we had complimentary chairs and towels because we stayed at the Hilton (pick them up at the pool before heading to the beach) and had an umbrella and chairs ready for us. Just tip the guys who help set you up!

I am sure the other hotels have something very similar – the island has a lot of hotels so you have a lot to pick from!

 


Where to eat in Marco Island, Florida



Day trip to Naples


Naples Botanical Garden

https://www.naplesgarden.org

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Tin City Waterfront Shops

Locally owned indoor small shopping mall waterfront shops – the touristy things or grab a drink or eat at the restaurants inside. Address: 1200 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102

https://www.tincityofnaples.com

tin city store in Naples Florida


For more upscale or outlet shopping in Naples check out this list here.


Diana Elizabeth had so much fun it was truly a remarkable relaxing vacation! For half a day they thought about buying a place in Marco Island they loved it so much! 

Diana Elizabeth is an author, photographer, and obsessive thrift shopper. You can typically find her in the garden wrist deep in dirt, at a local estate sale or planning her next creative themed party. She continues to blog weekly.

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