19th Floor Penthouse Condos with Spectacular Views of the Gulf Waters
Boating Marco Island
Boating Marco Island can be fun, exciting, and safe. Find the best spots for boating and explore the stunning waters surrounding Marco Island on your own, or on one of the may excursions offered on the island.
Cape Romano and Keewaydin Islands near Marco Island offer a fun day on the water, accessible by boat.
Dolphin Cove Marina provided essential instructions and navigation tips before our group set off at 8 am.
We explored the Dome Homes at Cape Romano, which have a rich history but are now mostly underwater.
Boating experience isn’t necessary; basic navigation skills suffice, thanks to thorough guidance from the marina.
Keewaydin Island, accessible only by boat, features beautiful waters and food concessions, making it a popular destination.
A FUN DAY ON THE WATER
Cape Romano and Keewaydin islands are very near Marco Island by boat. Boating around these islands while visiting Marco Island is a fun day on the water! If fears of operating a boat on the ocean and navigating the waters around Marco Island are holding you back, fear no more!
Before Leaving the Marina
A Boat Rental from Dolphin Cove Marina on Marco Island Is Affordable and Easy
Our group arrived at Dolphin Cove Marina https://www.boatrentalsofswfl.com on Bald Eagle Drive around 7:30 in the morning. Our boat was ready and waiting for us at the end of the dock. A member of the staff there provided us with instructions on operating the boat (a 21′ deck boat) and safety procedures while on the water. We were shown where life jackets were and given custom navigational charts showing the 2 locations we wanted visit. The navigational signs located in the Gulf were also explained and how to use them during our trip.
Cape Romano
We left the marina around 8 am and navigated toward Cape Romano and the Dome Homes. This took about 45 minutes, taking us past Tigertail Beach and South Beach. We went around the point of Cape Marco, past Dickmans Point and Kice Island before arriving at Cape Romano. We were able to get some fantastic pictures of the Dome Homes and docked at water’s edge of Cape Romano to walk the beach and do some shelling and sightseeing.
The Dome Homes at Cape Romano were built in 1979 by retired businessman Bob Lee from Gatlinburg, TN. He and his family lived there until 1992 when Hurricane Andrew destroyed the interior of the house. Since that time, erosion and Hurricane Irma in 2017 left the homes further from land and 2 of the 6 domes were underwater. In 2022, Hurricane Ian swept through the area. The dome homes are now completely underwater, but it is still a beautiful area to explore. Since we and our visitors are from the East Tennessee area, the now abandoned homes of Cape Romano hold a special interest for us.
Boat Rentals Can Accommodate from 2-16 People
Cape Romano Dome Homes
Our group consisted of Larry and me, and a couple of our friends visiting Marco Island. Larry and I both had previous boating experience on a local lake around our home in Kingsport, TN, however Larry and I had not operated a boat on the ocean before.
Larry Navigates the Waters
Docking at Keywaydin Island
Boating Experience
Once you learn to follow the navigational signs in the water and use the map provided by the marina, boating around Marco Island was fairly easy. It does help to have previous boating experience, but previous experience on the ocean is not required. Dolphin Cove Marina did a great job of explaining everything upfront. They also provided us telephone numbers to call if we needed assistance during our boating excursion.
Keewaydin Island
After leaving Cape Romano, our group boated to Keewaydin Island to the North of Marco Island. Keewaydin is an 8 mile barrier island that has no cars, roads, or bridges. The island is part of the pristine Rookery Bay Reserve. It is only accessible by boat, and is a popular boating destination, especially on weekends. Among the boaters there, you will also find snack boat concessions selling burgers, brats, hot dogs, drinks, and ice cream. Note: There are no bathroom facilities on the island. The waters around Keewaydin are crystal clear and beautiful.
Keewaydin Island is a Popular Boating Spot on Weekends
A Fun Day of Boating The Barrier Islands
This was a fun day of boating the barrier islands of Keewaydin and Cape Romano for our group, and it is something I would definitely recommend to others. The boating was fun, the waters smooth and crystal clear, and the scenery beautiful. Renting a boat will no longer be something we hesitate to do because we know now that with the proper instruction, it is easy.
Visit our website https://www.seamarcondo.com for more information on Sea Mar Condo, Marco Island, FL. We want to make your vacation on Marco Island a trip of a lifetime!
Everglades National Park is a unique ecosystem known as a ‘River of Grass’ and is crucial for Florida’s fresh water supply.
The park features diverse wildlife, including endangered species like the Florida panther and the American crocodile.
Visitors can enjoy various activities including airboat tours, hiking trails, and educational experiences at visitor centers.
The best visiting season is from December to March, when the weather is cooler and less humid.
The park is only a 45-minute drive from Marco Island, making it an ideal location for a day trip to Everglades National Park.
Everglades National Park
A River of Grass
Everglades National Park is a “River of Grass”. Others call it a swamp. It is a long, shallow river nearly 50 miles wide and about 100 miles long. The dominant life form in the “river” is periphyton. This is a mossy golden-brown substance found floating in the water. Periphytonis a complex mixture of algae, cyanobacteria, heterotrophic microbes, and detritus. It attaches to submerged surfaces in an ecosystem. It also serves as an important food source for invertebrates, tadpoles, and some fish.
Sawgrass marsh makes up about 70 percent of the Everglades. In the northern Everglades it is tall and dense. This makes some areas of water barely visible. In the south it tends to be short and less dense. Sawgrass has serrated, razor sharp blades that can cut through clothing.
Turner River Road, Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park is much smaller today than in years past. Construction and drainage projects are a factor in the reduction of around 50% of the wetlands. Thus, the restoration of the Everglades has been and is an issue for many political debates. Both state and federal governments are working to restore and protect the Everglades.
The Past
Calusa (kah LOOS ah) Indians lived on and controlled most of the southwest coast of Florida. The Everglades were central to life in the Indian villages. Many were located on the mouths of rivers above the Everglades. The natives traveled by canoes through the Everglades. They hunted alligators, turtles, shellfish and small mammals. These were essential to their food supply. The teeth and bones of wildlife and reeds from plants were used for making tools. The Native Americans called the area “Pahayokee (pay-HIGH-oh-geh). This means “grassy waters”. The Calusa declined with European expansion to the area. Some were killed. Most died of diseases brought in by the European settlers.
Everglades National Park Weather
There are two seasons in the Everglades: wet and dry. This results in the alternating periods of flood and drought.
The wet (summer) season accounts for around 80% of the average annual rainfall in the area (50+ inches). It lasts from May through November. The humidity and temperatures (90+F) are high. Most afternoons have thunderstorms (and occasional hurricanes). The rainy season is important in renewing the fresh-water supply. Hurricanes can be good for the ecosystem. They make new areas for plant growth. Seeds also scatter, and storms cause water movement in the normally shallow, slow moving river. Recent hurricanes have impacted the Everglades (Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, Irma).
Rainfall is the primary method water enters the Everglades. Evapotranspiration accounts for 70-90% of the rainfall leaving the area.
The dry (winter) season is December through April. It brings cooler temperatures (55F-77F) and little rain. The dry season is especially important for the reproduction of the birds and wildlife in the area.
Fire
The dry season causes drought conditions that are perfect for fires. The Florida Everglades have recently experienced fires around the Big Cypress National Preserve. Although fire may seem to be a destructive element to nature, most often it is not. Fire is essential for maintenance and also new growth of the land.
Environmental factors are always changing the ecological system. The climate and frequency of rain, storms, and fire all change the Everglades on a continual basis.
Everglades Water Supply
Approximately one third of people living in Florida rely on water from the Everglades for their fresh water supply. This makes protecting the Everglades extremely important.
Plant Life in Everglades National Park
Wet sawgrass prairies and periphyton are plentiful in the Everglades. The river holds mangrove and cypress swamps, pinelands and hardwood hammocks. Hammocks are dry land that rise out of the grassy river. Tropical and subtropical trees such as the southern live oak grow on them.
The oldest and tallest trees in the Everglades are cypresses. They have roots especially adapted to grow underwater. Big Cypress Swamp is well known for its 500 year old cypresses.
Everglades National Park is home to at least 350 species of birds, 50 reptile species, 300 species of saltwater and freshwater fish, and 40 species of mammals. In addition, the ecosystem provides protection for 14 endangered and nine threatened species, including the Florida panther, the Atlantic Ridley turtle, the leatherback turtle, the West Indian manatee, the snail kite, the Cape Sable seaside sparrow, and the American crocodile. There are at least 36 species that live in Everglades National Park that are on the protected, threatened, or endangered list.
The Everglades are a refuge for large wading birds, such as the wood stork, great blue heron, egrets, and the roseate spoonbill and it is the most important tropical wading bird breeding ground in North America.
This area is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles co-exist together in the wild. Crocodiles are in small numbers in the coastal areas of the Everglades. On the other hand, alligators stay more inland, near the freshwater.
Even mosquitoes play an important role to the Everglades. The larvae of grown mosquitoes are food for fish. Then, the larvae become an important food source to the diets of the wading birds.
Pythons have become an invasive species to the area. Recently, professional trained python bounty hunters are helping to help remove these large snakes from the area because they pose a threat to the ecosystem food source.
Wading Birds, including a Pink Spoonbill in Everglades National Park
Visitors to Everglades National Park
More than one million people from all over the world visit The Florida Everglades every year. It is the third biggest national park in America. Only Yellowstone and Death Valley are greater in land mass. Everglades National Park provides a fantastic learning experience to those of all ages and is also a great family adventure. Photographers find the landscape and the wildlife the perfect setting for great photos.
The busy visitor season is from December through March because it is the driest time of the year. The temperatures are also cooler, and there are fewer mosquitoes.
If you are considering a trip to the Everglades, be sure to bring along water and an insect repellant. Protective clothing may also be necessary depending on what you are doing or where you are going.
Everglades National Park Visitor Centers
Everglades National Park has 4 Visitor Centers
Shark Valley Visitor Center
Address: Everglades National Park, 36000 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33194
Hours of Operation 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mid-December – Mid-April 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mid-April – Mid-December Hours are subject to change. Phone 305-221-8776.
Visitors wanting to explore alone the area can walk the short trails and portions of the tram road, or bike. In addition, an observation tower located halfway around the tram road provides a spectacular view into the sawgrass marsh.
Guided tram tours, bicycle rentals, snacks and soft drinks are available from Shark Valley Tram Tours, Inc.
Shark Valley Trails:
Bobcat Boardwalk: sawgrass slough and tropical hardwood forests
Otter Cave Hammock Trail: tropical hardwood forest with small footbridges over a small stream.
Tram Road: flat, paved road used for tram rides, bicycling, and walking. You may see alligators, herons, egrets, turtles, and snail kites. An observation tower also provides panoramic views of the tropical hardwood hammock.
Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center (Park Main Entrance)
Address: Everglades National Park, 40001 State Hwy 9336, Homestead, FL 33034
Hours of Operation Mid-December through Mid-April 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mid-April through Mid-December 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Hours subject to change. Phone (305) 242-7700
The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is open 365 days a year. It offers educational displays, orientation films, and informational brochures. Also, special collections by local artists are often on display. In addition, books, film, postcards, and insect repellent may for purchase in the adjoining bookstore. A short drive from the visitor center is a series of popular walking trails. The main park road runs 38 miles from the Ernest Coe Main Entrance through the park to the Flamingo Visitor Center.
Trails from Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center:
Anhinga Trail: Four miles from the main entrance, the Anhinga Trail is a self-guided 0.5 mile round trip trail. It winds through a sawgrass marsh, where you may see alligators, turtles, herons, egrets, and other birds, especially during the winter. Because of the wildlife, this is one the most popular trails in the park.
Gumbo Limbo Trail: This self-guided, 0.5 mile round trip tail is 4 miles from the main entrance. The paved trail meanders through a shaded hammock of gumbo limbo trees, royal palms, ferns, and air plants.
Pahayokee Overlook: Located 13 miles from the main entrance the trail is 0.25 miles. An observation deck on this loop provides views of the Everglades.
Mahogany Hammock Trail: Located 20 miles from the main entrance this trail is 0.5 miles round trip. It is a self-guided boardwalk that meanders through a dense hardwood hammock with gumbo-limbo trees, air plants. Another significant feature of this trail is the largest living mahogany tree in the United States.
Alligators are Commonly seen in Everglades National Park
Flamingo Visitor Center
Address: Everglades National Park, 1 Flamingo Lodge Hwy, Homestead, FL 33034
Hours of Operation 8am – 4:30pm mid-November through mid-April No regular hours off season – intermittent staffing (Mid-April through mid-November).
Hours are subject to change. Phone (239) 695-2945
The Flamingo Visitor Center lies roughly 38 miles south of the park main entrance at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. Visitors should expect to drive about an hour before arriving at Flamingo.
The Flamingo Visitor Center offers educational displays, informational brochures, and backcountry permits. Campground facilities, a public boat ramp, a marina store, and hiking and canoeing trails are also located near the visitor center.
Flamingo Marina Rentals and Boat Tours (239) 695-3101 Houseboat, canoe, kayak, bicycle rentals and boat tours are available through the marina store. The marina is open year round.
Flamingo Trails:
West Lake Trail: Located 7 miles north of the Flamingo Visitor Center on the park road, this is a 0.5 mile round trip trail. It is a self-guided boardwalk trail. The trail leads to a forest of white mangrove, black mangrove, red mangrove, and buttonwood trees to West Lake.
Eco Pond Trail – Near the Flamingo Visitor Center this 0.5 mile round trail allows visitors to walk around a freshwater pond while watching wading birds, song birds, ducks, alligators and softshell turtles.
Gulf Coast Visitor Center
Address:815 Oyster Bar Ln, Everglades City, FL 34139
Hours of Operation 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Mid-April- Mid-November 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Mid-November – Mid-April Hours subject to change. Contact by Phone: 239-695-3311
The Gulf Coast Visitor Center serves as the gateway for exploring the Ten Thousand Islands. The islands are a maze of mangrove islands and waterways extending to Flamingo and Florida Bay. Thus, they are accessible only by boat.
The visitor center also offers educational displays, orientation films, informational brochures, and backcountry permits.
Boat tours and canoe rentals are available. Restaurants and stores are located nearby.
Activities:
Ten Thousand Islands Boat Tour: (1 ½ hours, fee charged). Discover the Ten Thousand Islands of the Gulf Coast. Naturalists offer narrated boat tours on a year round schedule. Concessions are also available on the boats.
Everglades Highlights: (30 Minutes- held on the grounds in front of the Gulf Coast Visitor Center). Join the park staff for a short talk about important features of the Everglades. Ecological, historical and environmental issues are also part of the discussion.
Paddle the Wilderness: With a ranger as your guide, paddle through the Ten Thousand Islands to look at wildlife and mangroves while you learn about the park’s natural and cultural history.
*Reservations need to be made 7 days in advance. For reservations and further trip details, call the Gulf Coast Visitor Center at 239-695-3311.
An Airboat Tour is a Fun Way to Explore Everglades National Park
Airboat Tours
Three authorized airboat businesses offer professional airboat tours inside Everglades National Park. All three (Coopertown, Everglades Safari Park, and Gator Park) are located along US Hwy 41/Tamiami Trail between Miami and Shark Valley.
Personal Jet Skis and Airboats are prohibited due to safety issues
Swimming is not recommended due to low visibility and the presence of alligators and crocodiles in fresh water areas and sharks, barracuda and sharp coral in the salt water areas.
Visiting Marco Island and the Everglades
Because there is no public transportation available, visiting the Everglades from Marco Island requires a car.
Everglades City is a 45 minute drive from Marco Island. It is also the closest entrance to the Everglades from the island. Loop Road, which is a 16 mile drive (gravel road) offers visitors a chance to see the beauty of the Everglades and wildlife of the area. In addition, there are several airboat and swamp buggy rides and boat tours from Everglades City.
Everglades City Airboat Tours
Captain Jack’s Airboat Tours
Jungle Erv Airboat Rides
Captain Doug’s Airboat Tours
Wootens Everglades Airboat and Swamp Buggy Tours
As long as your are in this area, The Shark Valley Visitor’s Center is 40 miles past Everglades City where a tram ride is available.
Another fun adventure is a jet ski adventure from Marco Island around the Ten Thousand Islands of mangroves off Marco Island.
We highly recommend a day trip to Everglades National Park to our guests at Sea Mar Condo https://seamarcondo.com. The park is only a short 45 minute drive from the condo and is a great day adventure. On one of our recent trips there we saw almost 30 alligators and many wading birds (including a roseate spoonbill).
Marco Island offers thrilling fishing in the Gulf, attracting many visitors throughout the year.
The shallow waters teem with species like Tarpon and Snook, while deep-sea fishing yields Grouper and King Mackerel.
Since deeper waters are accessible within 30 miles, fishing here is exciting with minimal waiting.
New reefs enhance fishing opportunities for Grouper, Snapper, and more, making it a hotspot for anglers.
Local charter services will clean your catch, and nearby restaurants will prepare it for your dinner.
Marco Island Deep Sea Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico is a thrill to many of our island visitors!
The area around Marco boasts some of the best year-round sportfishing in the world. It is surrounded by water with the 10,000 Islands to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. Marco Island is located in southwest Florida. It is just 10 miles south of Naples and 85 miles north of Key West.
The shallow waters around Marco and the 10,000 Islands hold sportfish such as Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, and Sea Trout. For those of you that prefer the deep waters, venture into the Gulf of Mexico for a catch of Grouper, Snapper, King Mackerel, Little Tuni, shark, and Cobia.
BIG Fish, tough fighting fish and great edible fish….they are all here on Marco Island!
Fishing in the Gulf off Marco Island
Many of our guests at Sea Mar Condo look forward to a day excursion of deep sea fishing in the Gulf. It is a great place to find varied fishing all year round. Charter boats go out each day. Many of the island restaurants are waiting to prepare your catch of the day when you get off the boat!
Offshore fishing from Marco Island is quite different from most other places. Even when you are 30 miles out you may still be in 60-70 feet of water. This means there is no trolling and waiting hours for a bite. Reefs, shipwrecks, and hard bottom within reasonable depths make great havens for a variety of fish.
A day offshore fishing is a great family event. The fishing is definitely tougher. The fish are certainly bigger – with grouper 100+ pounds common. Larger king mackerel, snapper, shark, cobia, and grouper in water up to 80 feet deep will challenge even the best fisherman (or woman).
Depending on what time of the year you visit, you might try fishing the scenic mangrove islands of Marco for Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Pompano, Trout, Snapper, and many others. While you fish, enjoy watching beautiful birds, manatee, and of course dolphins that actually come right up to the boat.
Reefs in the Marco Island Waters
New to our Gulf waters are 36 beautiful reefs funded by BP and some private donors. This should make for some great fishing for all species such as Grouper, Snapper, Amberjack, King Mackerel, Goliath Grouper, and many other species.
The boat captains will clean your catch for you as part of their service. Then you take it to one of the restaurants on the island that prepare it for your dinner that night!
Visit our website at https://seamarcondo.com to see our rates and availability. Our website also provides more information on Sea Mar Condo and Marco Island. Let us help you make the most of your Marco Island vacation!
The author’s first trip to Marco Island sparked a love for the area and frequent visits over the years.
Marco Island offers beautiful beaches, both peaceful and lively, perfect for relaxation or adventure.
There are many activities, such as fishing, exploring Everglades National Park, and dining options featuring fresh seafood.
The island is family-friendly, with parks, playgrounds, and educational tours suitable for children.
The Marco Island Historical Museum provides insight into the island’s rich history and culture.
A little over 20 years ago, my husband came to me and said “Let’s go down to Marco Island this year”. He proceeded to tell me his brother and sister-in-law had been there prior and were wanting us to join them there this year for vacation.
I had never heard of Marco Island and didn’t even know what state it was in. However, since it had “island” in the name, I thought it must be on a beach somewhere. Since I love beach vacations, I was easily persuaded to go along. (I also love my brother and sister-in law and loved the idea of vacationing with them).
One Thing Leads to Another
Needless to say, our first trip to Marco Island was a success. We feel in love with the island, the locals, the beaches and the many adventures that await visitors to the area. We left Marco planning our next vacation there! For the next 10 years or so, we found ourselves vacationing on Marco at least every other year. Each time we left wanting to return as soon as possible.
Then, we found ourselves thinking about purchasing a place there for retirement – or at least a place to go in retirement. We have both just retired, but we still do not get to spend as much time on Marco as we would like. However, we do get there 3 times a year. While we are not there, we rent our condos (Sea Mar Condo)https://seamarcondo.com out so others can enjoy the beauty of Marco Island and the comfort of our units. We love sharing our piece of paradise with others and want them to enjoy it as much as we do when we are there.
Marco Island -Let’s Go!
Marco Island is a barrier island located on the Gulf of Mexico approximately 18 miles south of Naples. The island is beautifully landscaped and surrounded by the aqua waters of the Gulf. Marco has 2 very different beaches that are accessible to guests. Tigertail Beach is a peaceful and secluded – a nature lover’s dream https://seamarcondo.com/early-morning-walk-down-tigertail-beach. Crescent of South Beach is busy with watercraft, beachgoers, and luxurious hotels. Both beaches are beautiful and perfect for shelling, a long beach walk or just relaxing with a good book or nap. The sunsets on the island are spectacular!
Adventure
If you are more into adventure than hanging around the beach, Marco Island will not disappoint. The surrounding 10,000 island area is one of the best in the world for fishing. Everglades National Park is only 15 minutes away by jet ski and a short 45 minute drive by car to air boat and swamp buggy tours https://seamarcondo.com/day-trip-to-everglades-national-park. Marco Island is home to dolphin, manatee, and many species of birds including egrets, blue herons, pelicans, black skimmers, roseate spoonbills, and osprey.
There are many tour companies on the island with professional guides to help you maneuver through the mangroves in the area whether you go by jet ski, boat or kayak. Of course, you can always take the option of seeing Marco from above by parasail or a plane ride. https://seamarcondo.com/parasailing-over-marco-islands-waters
Dining
For those who love fresh seafood, you have many options. Many of the restaurants will even fix your catch of the day for dinner that evening. For those who prefer something other than seafood, the many restaurants on the island offer a wide variety of options. A lot of the restaurants on Marco also offer waterfront dining and live music. The Marco Island Princess offers a great dining experience on the water along with a sunset cruise.
Family Friendly
Marco Island is family friendly and a great place to vacation with the younger ones. The island has two parks and a kid playground. There is also a miniature golf course. Most of the tours are also suitable for children and some, especially the Dolphin Explorer, focus on educational experiences for the youngsters. Most of the jet ski tours, and kayaks are made to accommodate 2 adults and a child.
History
The Marco island Historical Museum is also located on the island and offers guests to the island an opportunity to learn the rich history of Marco, from the Calusa Indians, its development in the 1960s, to this modern day paradise. We are very excited that the Key Marco Cat is on display at the museum https://themihs.info/museum.
Book Your Vacation at Sea Mar Condo in Marco Island
Let’s go down to Marco Island! Whether your idea of a great vacation is heading down to the water with a couple of beach chairs or seeking a family adventure, this island has everything to make memories of a lifetime.
Now is the time to book your vacation in Marco Island. Be our guests at Sea Mar Condo and see for yourself what’s going on in Marco island. Visit https://seamarcondo.com for more information on Marco Island and Sea Mar Condos!
