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 10/26/201906/22/2026Airboat Rides, Corey Billy's Airboat Rides, Dolphin Explorer, Everglades National Park, Marco Island Bicycle Tour, Marco Island Dolphins, Marco Island Fishing, Marco Island Princess, Naples Zoo, Rookery Bay, Shelling, Snook Inn

Home » Marco Island Dolphins

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…..

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

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

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/

4. Everglades City is located about a 45 minute drive from Marco Island. It is a great place to take the kids to see alligators or go on an airboat ride or swamp buggy ride. The Gulf Coast Visitors Center in Everglades City also offers an awesome Ten Thousand Islands Boat Tour.
Everglades City Airboats: https://www.evergladescity-airboattours.com/
Gulf Coast Boat Tour: https://evergladesfloridaadventures.com/

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

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.

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

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

See related post: A Day Trip to Naples Zoo: https://seamarcondo.com/a-day-trip-to-naples-zoo

11. We also have games, puzzles and beach toys in Sea Mar Condo for our young visitors to enjoy. Or make a nice “Dolphin Snack” – the kids will love it! https://seamarcondo.com/dolphin-snacks-for-everyone

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.

See related post: A Bike Tour of Marco Island: https://seamarcondo.com/a-bike-tour-of-marco-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.

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/

See related post: A Day Trip with Corey Bills Airboat Rides: https://seamarcondo.com/a-day-trip-with-corey-billys-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.

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/

See related post: Rookery Bay Learning Center: https://seamarcondo.com/rookery-bay-learning-center

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.

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.

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!

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/

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 01/12/201909/11/2025Dolphin Explorer, Marco Island Dolphins, Marco Island Eco Tours, Marco Island Shelling

Home » Marco Island Dolphins

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!

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.

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

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 08/29/201809/11/2025Casual Dining on Marco Island, Dolphin Explorer, Marco Island Dolphins, Sea Mar Condo

Home » Marco Island Dolphins

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!

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

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!

See Marco Island’s Dolphins with Avi’s Water Sports

Teresa Luber Marco Island Activities and Sports, Marco Island Day Trips and Tours 04/19/201809/11/2025Marco Island Boating, Marco Island Dolphins, Marco Island Eco Tours, Marco Island Tours, Sea Mar Condo

Home » Marco Island Dolphins

Key Takeaways

Avi’s Water Sports offers jet ski tours that showcase Marco Island’s dolphins and unique 10,000 islands.
The two-hour tour costs $275 plus tax per jet ski and includes a chance to take home photos on a flash drive.
Known as ‘the dolphin whisperer,’ Avi attracts dolphins and creates personalized experiences for each guest.
Avi is a master navigator who shares stories and knowledge about the islands, enhancing every tour.
Visit Avi’s Water Sports website or call 239.777.9873 for more details on booking a memorable adventure.

Avi’s Water Sports offers a great way to see some of Marco Island’s favorite residents. The island’s friendly dolphins love to show off for many of our visitors. Our guests at Sea Mar Condo love this adventure. We highly recommend booking this tour during your stay at Sea Mar Condo.

This jet ski tour takes visitors to Marco Island 35 plus miles into the 10,000 islands as well as visiting Cape Romano. It is a 2 hour tour and costs $275 plus tax per jet ski on their website.

The “Dolphin Whisperer”

Avi is known as “the dolphin whisperer” because he always seems to attract dolphins on his jet ski tours. Avi says there are three local dolphins he sees on most trips and they always make it their mission to get him, (and his camera), wet!

A highly talented photographer, Avi takes photos of your unique jet ski tour to help you relive each moment. Each tour guest can take home a flash drive of photos of your unique tour. He is also a master navigator of the 10,000 Islands. As a result, Avi’s Water sports has spent thousands of hours on the water. He takes his guests to amazing places few others have experienced, showing them hidden spots and treasures. Avi is an expert on jet ski safety. He is especially a patient and kind teacher to first-timers.

Professional and personable, you’ll be fascinated by Avi’s stories. He has a vast knowledge of the islands. His excitement shows on each and every tour. His tours combine history, scenery, and wildlife in each outing. Each tour is unique and personalized.

Get up close and personal with Marco Island’s local dolphins. Visit Avi’s Water Sports website at https://aviwatersports.com or give them a call at 239.777.9873.

This tour is also a great way to see the beautiful 10,000 islands area surrounding Marco Island (including the dome houses at Cape Romano).

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!