Dolphin Explorer

Discover the excitement of dolphin exploration. A Dolphin Explorer excursion is an unforgettable experience that introduces you to Marco Island dolphins. Did you know our local dolphins all have names?

Fun Things to do with Children in Marco Island

Teresa Luber Marco Island, Things to do with children in Marco Island, Things to See and Do in Marco Island , , , , , , , , , , ,
Children In Marco Island
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Key Takeaways

  • Marco Island offers many fun activities for children, including a pool and the Dolphin Explorer tour.
  • Kayaking at Tigertail Beach and visiting Everglades City are great adventures for families.
  • Kids can enjoy mini-golf, sightseeing cruises, and beach activities like collecting seashells.
  • Visit the Golisano Children’s Museum and Naples Zoo for interactive and educational experiences.
  • Don’t miss local treats like ice cream at Sweet Annies and adventurous experiences with Pirates of Marco Island.

Things To Do With Children in Marco Island


Before arrival, many of our guests inquire about things to do with children in Marco Island. We love our young visitors to Sea Mar Condo and wanted to put together a list of the many fun activities for children in Marco and the surrounding areas.

Fun, Fun, Fun…..

  1. Our pool is great! The pool is open from morning until dusk.
  • 2. We highly recommend that you take youngsters on the “Dolphin Explorer” tour. We have done this excursion several times and it is always fun and informative for both adults and children. Their website is www.dolphin-study.com. This tour is an interactive study of the dolphins around Marco Island. They get the kids very involved on the tour and their ongoing dolphin experience. https://dolphin-study.com
Dolphin

Fun Adventures!

  • 3. We enjoy kayaking at Tigertail Beach or Rookery Bay. Several places will deliver kayaks and paddleboards to South Seas. Once you leave the pool area and cross the boardwalk to the beach, you will turn right to get to the Tigertail launching area. Rookery Bay is a short 10 minute drive from our condos.
  • Rising Tide Kayak Rentals https://risingtidefl.com/
  • Rookery Bay Kayak Tours https://rookerybay.org/
  • Marco Island Bike and Kayak Rentals https://marcoislandbikerentals.com/
Swamp Buggy Ride
  • 5. Marco Golf and Garden has mini-golf and is located at 971 Winterberry Drive.

Family Fun…....

  • 6. One of the most fun things we have done is a sightseeing cruise or a dinner cruise on the Marco Island Princess. The cruise is beautiful (especially sunset), the food is good, and the prices are very reasonable. Children 4-11 are half price and those under 4 are FREE.  We have done this cruise several times – for dinner and sightseeing and it was great each time. (239) 642-5415
Marco Island Princess
  • 7. The Snook Inn has waterfront dining with live music each night. Several other restaurants have live music as well (The Speakeasy and The Boardroom). Many parents love dancing with the kids to the music.
  • 8. A fun FREE adventure is just to walk the beach collecting sea shells or go on a shelling tour. There are many colors and shapes on the beach. We have shelling baskets in the condo and there is a shell washing station around the gated area to the beach.
Types of Shells Marco Island

Fun for Children!

  • 9. Golisano Children’s museum of Naples is a 30 minute drive from Marco Island and is great for young children. The museum offers a lot of interactive experiences. It is located at 15080 Livingston Road, Naples, FL 34109.  https://www.cmon.org
Naples Children's Museum

And Lots More Fun……

  • 10. Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is in Naples. What child doesn’t enjoy a trip to the zoo? http://www.napleszoo.org
Naples_Zoo
  • 12. The Marco movie Theater is located in the Marco Town Center at 599 S Collier Boulevard and is a great place to take the kids on a rainy day or on a day you are taking a break from the beach. They offer at-your-sea-dining options of casual American foods for you to enjoy during the movie.

Island FUN!

  • 13.  Rent a bicycle from Marco Bike Rentals and bike around the island.
  • 14.  See the fire dancer at Quinn’s Restaurant at the Marco Marriott Hotel.  The show begins each night at sunset and is a high energy performance that kids love!  They can also meet the fire dancer and have their pictures taken with him after the show.
Fire Dancer at Quinn's on the Beach
  • 15.  Take an airboat ride with Corey Billie’s Airboat Rides.  Children get the chance to get up close to alligators and other wildlife.  This was at the top of our nieces fun things to do during their vacation. https://cbairboatrides.com/
Corey Billy's Airboat Rides

Fun For All Ages…….

  • 16.  Family fishing the Gulf waters.  Marco Island is know for it’s spectacular fishing either on the island or on a deep sea adventure.  Some captains even specialize in first timers.
Fishing on Marco
  • 17.  Rookery Bay Learning Center is a fully air-conditioned 2 story facility with a variety of hands-on-experiences, including a 2,300-gallon aquarium and interactive exhibits.  There is also a nature store and picnic area.  Admission is free for kids on Friday.  https://rookerybay.org/
Rookery Bay
  • 18.  Visit Marco Island’s Playgrounds.  Both Mackle Park Playground and WaterPark and Tigertail Beach Park have full facilities.  They offer play structures, swings, monkey bars, and slides as well as water activities.
Mackle Park


Ice Cream Fun!

  • 19.  Take an ice cream break at Sweet Annies!  Yummy!!!!  Children of all ages enjoy this tasty treat. In addition to the ice cream there are lots of souvenirs for all ages in this cute ice cream parlor. 
Sweet Annies
  • 20.  Build a sand sculpture on the beach.  Who doesn’t like to play in the sand?  We have the perfect toys and buckets in Sea Mar Condo to make the perfect sand castle!
Sand Sculpture Marco Island
  • 21.  Pirates of Marco Island.  Climb aboard the Black Pearl for an interactive family adventure.  Watch your children transform into little buccaneers complete with pirate tattoos and pirate’s attire!  The Black Pearl offers interactive pirate themed tours, sunset cruises and special event charters. NOTE: This excursion is only available during high season on the island (January-April) https://piratesofmarco.com/
Black Pearl Pirate Ship
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Reserve your fun family vacation now in Marco Island at Sea Mar Condo.
Visit our website for rates and availability.  https://seamarcondo.com

The Dolphin Explorer is A Great Way to See Marco’s Most Famous Residents!

Teresa Luber Marco Island Day Trips and Tours, Things to do with children in Marco Island, Things to See and Do in Marco Island , , ,
The Dolphin Explorer
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Key Takeaways

  • The Dolphin Explorer offers unique boat tours around Marco Island, recognized by National Geographic for its educational value.
  • Participants engage in dolphin sightings, learn about their behavior, and collect seashells on pristine beaches.
  • The tours allow children to earn a Dolphin Patch and join the Dolphin Explorer Club.
  • The Dolphin Explorer is a 30-foot catamaran designed for wildlife observation, with a professional crew for safety and guidance.
  • Reservations can be made online or by phone for two daily tours at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

The Dolphin Explorer

The Dolphin Explorer is a great way to see Marco Island’s most famous residents! National Geographic book “100 Places that Can Change Your Child’s Life”, lists this company as the only activity in Florida selected by the award-winning writer Keith Bellows. He traveled around the world looking for experiences which would be life-altering for children. However, The Dolphin Explorer is not only fun for children – it is perfect for adults as well!!!!

This is what you’ll see when you take a tour with The Dolphin Explorer!

Dolphin Explorer

Guests not only get to take a great boat ride, but also visit a totally pristine deserted beach and collect beautiful seashells. They get the chance to get up close and personal with some of the most amazing creatures on the planet…the bottlenose dolphin! You also get to be part of a unique scientific project. In fact, you become a citizen scientist.

Underwritten and managed by Sea Excursions, the Dolphin Explorer is engaged in the only on-going daily dolphin study in the area. With the help of their passengers, they chronicle every dolphin sighting and compare them to their chart of dolphin photos. The crew are able to recognize each dolphin by the shape of the dorsal fin. This allows the naturalists to build a bank of knowledge about the dolphin population of Marco Island. Guests learn how the dolphins interact, where they spend their time, when babies are born, and how long they stay with their mothers.

And, if you are under the age of 12, you can also participate in “The Dolphin Challenge”. This allows youngsters to receive a Dolphin Patch and become a member of the exclusive Dolphin Explorer Club.

What’s Uniques About the Dolphin Explorer?

The Dolphin Explorer is a 30 foot catamaran with two 225 HP outboards capable of carrying up to 28 passengers. Because of its design, it is perfect for both navigating the water of the Gulf and the backwater estuaries of the area. The boat is excellent for survey work. It is unique in “getting up close and personal” to observe marine life and photography.

Dolphin2

The Dolphin Explorer’s design and power attracts dolphin to its wake for fabulous photographs. The vessel provides a choice of sun or shade for those with children. It also offers complimentary beverages and shelling bags. Be sure to bring sunglasses, your camera, sunscreen and any snacks you and the family might enjoy. The Dolphin Explorer is professionally crewed by a USCG Master Captain. Additionally, there is a Mate who is a Master Naturalist and Wildlife Photographer.

My Tour Was Fantastic!

Larry and I have taken several tours on The Dolphin Explorer and they are always some of the most fun adventures we’ve done on Marco Island. On one of the trips, we saw 17 different dolphins! The trips are educational and I love seeing the dolphin moms with babies and several dolphins jumping behind the boat. There are also lots of great shells and baby least terns on the beautiful island where the tour breaks for a while. I have even seen a manatee at the most southern end of Tigertail Beach.

Scheduling a Tour with The Dolphin Explorer

Two survey trips daily: one in the morning departing at 9:00am
the second departs in the afternoon at 1:00pm.

To make your reservation by phone
Call: (877) 523-7266
or visit their website at https://dolphin-study.com/

The Dolphin Explorer
(877) 523-7266
Rose Marina
951 Bald Eagle Drive
Marco Island, FL 34145
9-12 noon and 1-4 pm daily

Sea Mar Condo Logo

Visit our website at https://seamarcondo.com. Our “Top 10 List” provides information on many things to see and do in Marco Island. We also recommend several tour companies and restaurants to make your vacation on Marco Island the best vacation ever.

See our suggestions for other fun activities on Marco Island: https://seamarcondo.com/things-to-do-with-children-in-marco-island

Easy to Make Dolphin Snacks

Teresa Luber Marco Island, Things to do with children in Marco Island, Things to See and Do in Marco Island , , ,
Dolphin Snacks
Home » Dolphin Explorer

Key Takeaways

  • Dolphin Snacks are fun fruit treats that resemble dolphins and are perfect for beach outings.
  • These snacks are easy to make, inexpensive, and designed to delight both kids and adults.
  • To prepare, slice a banana and arrange it with grapes, blueberries, and cranberries in a cup.
  • While on Marco Island, consider taking an eco tour to see real dolphins and learn about them.
  • Visit the Sea Mar Condo website for more information on dolphin tours and vacation details.

Dolphin snacks at the beach? No, we are not talking about “those” dolphins in the Gulf waters. These are dolphins that are we make from fruit and resemble playful dolphins with a ball in their mouth.

It’s always fun to add that “special’ treat for kids (or adults who like to be kids) at the beach. These cute dolphin snacks are sure to be a hit with the kiddos and adults as well! They are easy to make, inexpensive, and well….just too darn cute!

Let’s get started and prepare these for our beach party guests!

Dolphin Snacks

Prepare a banana by cutting off the bottom end, gently slitting the stem end for a mouth, and drawing a couple of “dolphin eyes” on each side of the end with the slits. Place the banana cut side down in a plastic cup. Fill around the “dolphin” banana with grapes, blueberries, and cranberries. Place a blueberry in the slit (dolphin’s mouth). Serve immediately.

Enjoy your dolphin snacks!

We hope you get to see and meet our “real” Marco Island dolphins! Did you know that all our dolphin family have names? We highly recommend an eco tour on The Dolphin Explorer during your visit. This tour introduces you to the Marco Island dolphins and their habitat. It’s great for adults and children and so much fun! Children get to be “junior” dolphin explorers on these expeditions. Also, if you see a baby dolphin for the first time, you get to help name Marco Island’s newest resident!

https://seamarcondo.com/the-dolphin-explorer-is-a-great-way-to-see-marcos-most-famous-residents

https://dolphin-study.com

Sea Mar Condo Logo

Are you ready to come to Marco Island and see meet our local dolphins? Did you know that we know each by name? 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!

Make the Most of Your Marco Island Vacation

Teresa Luber Marco Island, Marco Island Activities and Sports, Things to See and Do in Marco Island , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Home » Dolphin Explorer

Key Takeaways

  • Marco Island offers a variety of activities for all ages, including beach yoga, paddleboarding, and eco-tours.
  • Start your day with coffee and breakfast at local favorites like Doreen’s Cup of Joe or Tigertail Cafe.
  • Explore shopping areas for unique gifts and clothing or enjoy dining with waterfront views at places like Sunset Grille.
  • Visit the Marco Island Historical Museum to learn about the island’s history or take a day trip to Everglades National Park.
  • Check in to Sea Mar Condos for a comfortable stay and make the most of your Marco Island vacation.

Tuck these ideas into your travel bag to make the most of your Marco island Vacation. There are activities on Marco Island for all ages and skill levels. From morning until late evening, you are sure to be in awe of this beautiful island. The beaches and mangrove areas offers lots to explore. Many restaurants offer great seafood and beautiful sunsets. It’s also easy to get exercise with walks along the beaches. Marco Island’s history can be explored at our local museum. Area shopping is fun. Everglades National Park is a short drive away. And Sea Mar Condos are the perfect place to stay while on the island. There is something for everyone!

1. Early Morning Exercise

Whether you take a morning walk or run or do yoga on the beach during sunrise, getting an early morning workout gets you ready for the day. In addition, the island is less crowded in the mornings. It’s peaceful, serene setting calms the mind. A favorite walk if staying on the North side of the beach is to walk Tigertail Beach. If golf is more your early morning routine, the courses in the area are especially nice!

 2. Grab a Morning Coffee and a Yummy Breakfast

Doreen's Cup of Joe Strawberry Pancakes

Visit Doreen’s Cup of Joe for the perfect cup of coffee. You can also choose from their huge breakfast menu. I love the stuffed french toast covered with fruit toppings. Their fresh squeezed orange juice also makes a nice addition to your morning! If you chose to paddleboard or kayak first, Tigertail Cafe also has a nice selection of food items. Another place for a nice breakfast on the island is Red Rooster located on San Marco. And of course, there is always our oversized balcony at Sea Mar Condo for the perfect cup of coffee and breakfast.

  3. Learn to Paddleboard or Kayak

paddleboard

Tigertail Lagoon is the perfect place paddleboard or kayak. The water is very calm and the scenery is spectacular! There are several companies that rent paddleboards or kayaks on the island and deliver to your location. The area around Caxambus Park is also a good place to kayak and do some shelling. In addition, several companies also offer kayak tours of Marco Island and the mangrove areas. These tours are excellent for both beginners and the more experienced. The guided tours are very informative and educational. Paddleboarding or kayaking are great activities for any age.

 4. Head to the Farmers Market

Farmers Market

During the months of mid-November through mid-April, the Marco Island Farmers Market is open each Wednesday at Veteran’s Park. This is a great place to pick up small gifts as well as fresh produce and vegetables. The selection of items is unbelievable! It’s also a great place to pick up a snack or lunch from the many food vendors there. The farmer’s market is a favorite for island visitors and residents.

 5. Go Shopping

Marco Island has several areas that offer unique shopping. The Shops at Old Marco, the Marco Town Center and the Esplanade all specialize in unique gifts and clothing. It is fun to combine an evening dinner and shopping. Fifth Avenue South in nearby Naples is also a fun shopping experience, especially when the night ends with a Kilwin’s ice cream! I also enjoy all the fun gift shops that line the streets.  This area is especially pretty in the evening hours when the area is ablaze with lights from the palm trees.

  6. Take an Eco Tour or Rent a Boat to Explore

Dolphin Explorer

There are many eco tours available on the island that provide opportunities to see dolphin, manatee, and the many bird species that are on Marco and the surrounding area. Many of these tours are also great for children. The Dolphin Explorer focuses on educating guests about our local dolphins. This tour introduces their guests to each dolphin by name. Did you know the Marco Island Dolphins each have a name? You may even get to name a dolphin! If you prefer fishing, there are also many fishing excursions leaving the island each day. Both deep sea fishing and backwater fishing are popular with island visitors. Another option is to rent a boat and explore on your own. Many of the marinas rent pontoon or speed boats and provide easy directions on boating around the area. The Naples area also has some fantastic sightseeing tours that are worth checking out.

If you prefer boating on your own, many of the local marinas rent boats for the half day or day. They also offer navigational maps and tips for safe boating around the island https://seamarcondo.com/marco-island-boating .

 7. Visit the Marco Island Historical Museum

The Key Marco Cat

The Marco Island Historical Museum provides guests an opportunity to learn about early Marco. Learn about the famous for its Key Marco Cat. It is one of the most remarkable and influential discoveries in North American archaeology. The museum explores Southwest Florida’s Calusa Indians. It brings this vanished civilization to life with informative displays. There is even an exciting recreated village scene. The museum also explores the early 1960s development of Marco Island to the present day island of paradise. Visiting the Marco Island Historical Museum is a great rainy day excursion. It is also a great way to spend a few hours away from the beach.

8. Visit the Everglades

Everglades Alligator

Everglades National Park is 15 minutes away by jet ski. Several of the island eco tours will visit the mangrove areas around the park. It is also a short 45 minute drive to Everglades City or Big Cypress Visitors Center. It’s always a fun adventure to take an air boat or swamp buggy tour. A drive around Loop Road in Big Cypress is also the perfect place to see alligators, wading and nesting birds, and beautiful scenery. A ranger station around Big Cypress offers lots of information about the park and it’s inhabitants. Everglades National Park has 3 entrances that are fairly close to Marco Island. There are many places to hike and explore. See our complete article on Everglades National Park in the link below.

  9. Visit a Church

Marco Island Easter Sandcastle

Marco Island has many churches that welcome visitors for Sunday services in casual attire. On Easter Sunday, the island has a sun rise service on the beach.

   10. Dine by the Water

Mangos

Many of the restaurants on the island offer waterfront dining. Some like the Snook Inn also have live music each night. The seafood selections are great. Most restaurants have a wide variety of non-seafood items as well. If you prefer to catch your own meal, many of the restaurants prepare your catch for you at a very reasonable price. Restaurant selection varies from casual low-key dining to casual elegant dining. And if you need a break from seafood…Marco Island has some great burgers as well! Visiting one of the waterfront restaurants is a great way to see the beautiful island sunsets as well. Some of our favorite restaurants on the water are Sunset Grille, Sale e Pepe, Mangos, and Snook Inn.

  11. Check In to Sea Mar Condo

Our property is managed by Blue Water Rentals. BWR provides around the clock service to answer any questions or maintenance concerns should they arise. The owners are Larry and Teresa Luber from Kingsport, TN. We love our guests and want to welcome you to this beautiful island paradise. We look forward to sharing our Marco Island Condo with you for the vacation of your dreams.

At Sea Mar Condos, our guests are our #1 priority. Our condos are 2 bedroom/ 2 bath penthouse condos. They are located on the 19th floors of South Seas Northwest Towers 3 and 4 in Marco Island, FL. Each condo has a king bed, 2 twins, and a queen sleeper sofa. Free wifi and 3 televisions are in each condo. The condos face South overlooking Crescent Beach. The units are fully equipped with beautiful views. A large heated pool, which is comfortable all year round, is located between our 2 condos. We strive to make our condos as comfortable and special for your vacation as they are for us when we use them.

Visit our website at https://seamarcondo.com to our rates and availability. Our website also provides more information on Sea Mar Condos and Marco Island. You will find lots of information on things to see and do on Marco Island. Restaurant suggestions are also on our website.
Let us help you make the most of your Marco Island vacation!