Spend a day at a luxurious hotel spa.
Head to the oceanfront JW Marriott Marco Island and book a pampering session at the Spa by JW and experience one of the more relaxing things to do in Macro Island. All your cares will melt away with the resort’s signature 80-minute Balinese treatment, a choreographed massage that soothes sore muscles. Or opt for the 50-minute Marco Island Custom Facial and a skincare therapist will customize a specific treatment for you using organic ingredients.
Explore Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
Marco Island is the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands, but there are plenty of hidden, uninhabited isles that are prime for exploring in Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Head out via kayak, canoe or boat and weave through mangrove-lined estuaries. You might even spot manatees, sea otters, alligators, crocodiles, wood storks, brown and white pelicans, roseate spoonbills, herons, egrets and more.
Hunt for colorful seashells
The sandbars surrounding Marco Island and beyond are famous for some of the best shelling in the world. Stroll along the sandy shoreline and keep your eyes open for a wide variety of whelks, olive shells, scallops and hundreds of other kinds of seashells. (Remember, don’t collect live creatures.) Or go off the beaten path and find a beach all to yourself and far away from the crowds.
Search for bottlenose dolphins playing in the waves.
Hit the surf and become a “citizen scientist” when you accompany marine researchers aboard the Dolphin Explorer for a three-hour eco-tour. Captain Chris Desmond and his crew go out on the water twice daily to record activities and behaviors of the more than 200-member dolphin population. It's a great activity in Marco Island for kids - they can help complete a nature survey while spotting bottlenose dolphins. The best part? If you find a new dolphin, you get to name it!
Build your dream home on this wonderful island paradise, from the low $400s. For more information contact Nick Cornwell at 239.776.5076 or BuildNow@NovaHomesBuilder.com. Custom homes since 2004.