Marco Island Boating Guide

Marco Island is a gorgeous barrier island touching the Gulf of Mexico and famous Florida destinations such as the Everglades, Naples, St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay, and precious, lesser-known locations such as the Ten Thousand Islands (see below). By car, getting to know each of them may seem impossible to do within a day, a weekend, or ever. Luckily for you, we’ve got boats! Check out our latest boating guide to Marco Island.

Post summary:

• Locations to boat around the Marco Island area
• Marco Island boating rules & regulations
• Marco Island marinas & more insider content

View all available Marco Island boat rentals

Locations to Boat to Around the Marco Island Area

With Naples, St. Petersburg, and Tampa Bay nearby, Marco Island presents a wonderful opportunity for passersby to see a lot.

Barfield Bay

Barfield Bay is on the southeast side of Marco Island. The west side of the bay has private docks and residences. In contrast, the east and southeastern side is much wilder and untamed, with uninhabited forested keys, such as David Key, Pig Key, Pass Key, Alpha Key, Beta Key, Little Tide Key, Fred Key, Margaret Key, Currys Key, Henry Key, and Helen Key.

It’s a neat experience to boat around these islands to explore the shorelines (if your boat isn’t too large and the tide isn’t too low) and see all the raw beauty they offer.

It’s also interesting to see the south side of the island. There are gorgeous oceanside estates here that are beautiful to look at. If you enjoy the home exterior tour, consider boating into Robert’s Bay and Smokehouse Creek for a better view of these residential areas.

Rookery Bay & Ten Thousand Islands

The Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, located on the south end of Marco Island, has 110,000 acres of pristine mangrove forest, uplands, and protected waters. This body of water is home to Ten Thousand Island, where there is plenty to explore by boat!

Ten Thousand Islands is made up of precious keys and micro islands. You’ll want to stick around West Morgan Key, where you have Morgan Beach and Kice Island (for boat camping).

READ MORE: 8 Tips for a Successful Boat Camping Trip

Next to it is Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge (35,00 acres), a chain of public and remote islands as well as inlets and keys. Man has left the mangrove habitats, marine life, and native wildlife mostly untouched.

The best way to explore this piece of paradise is by boat. If you want to camp on your boat or anchor your boat on an island to camp ashore, these islands are official and designated sites for you to do so:

• Hog Key
• Turkey Key
• New Turkey Key
• Mormon Key
• Pavilion Key
• Rabbit Key
• Jewel Key
• Picnic Key
• Tiger Key

Marco Beach

Boating by Marco Beach will give you great views of the Gulf of Mexico and Marco Island itself. The beach and Marco Island, the “skyline” of luxury homes, hotels, and marinas, are beautiful. Near the shore, the water is turquoise blue, and the further you venture away from the island, the richer and more emerald green the hue of the water becomes.

Collier Bay

Collier Bay is on the island’s north side, near North Point. It leads into Smokehouse Bay and several marinas and country clubs. This bay provides views of forested wilderness areas (on the north side of the bay), private luxury estates, dockside restaurants, and fancy marinas.

While here, these are some of the best waterside restaurants to try:

• CJ’s on the Bay
• Mango’s Dockside Bistro
• Dolphin Tiki Bar and Grill
• Old Marco Pub
• Zaza Mexican Restaurant

Marco Island Marinas

Marina at Factory Bay

As the name indicates, this Marina is on the southeast tip of Marco Island, right on Factory Bay. It’s in the Olde Marco Historic Village and offers lots of shopping and dining opportunities in all directions, plus it’s only a mile away from downtown Marco Island. It has 72 wet slips available, ranging in various sizes.

• Address: 1081 Bald Eagle Dr, Marco Island, FL 34145
• Slips: 72 wet slips
• Features:  WiFi, restaurants within walking distance, restrooms with showers

Pelican Pier Marina

Pelican Pier Marina is just a few properties north of Marina at Factory Bay. It offers the same great access to shopping, dining, and downtown. Plus, it has a surprisingly well-stocked convenience store that’s right on the water. It offers marine gas, live and frozen bait, light tackle, food, snacks, alcohol, other drinks, and anything you could need for your boat.

• Address: 1085 Bald Eagle Dr, Marco Island, FL 34145
• Slips: Contact for more information
• Features: Bait, concessions store onsite, food, and gas

If you’re ready to visit Marco Island by boat, you should reserve your boat and a captain (if you want one) as soon as possible. Are you not quite sure about it yet? Check out these handy guides we created to cover the Marco Island area:

• Guide to Fishing in Naples, Florida
• Boating in Naples, FL: Everything You Need to Know
• The 5 Best Beaches in Naples to Explore By Boat
• A Guide to Snorkeling in Naples, FL
• The 7 Best Waterfront Restaurants in Naples, FL, to Get to By Boat

Explore water-travel destinations! Find your next trip at Destination Guides and other boating resources here.

 

Fishing in the Gulf

Another popular Marco Island boating activity is fishing. Whether you’re an experienced angler or a novice, fishing in Marco Island is a great way to enjoy the water and maybe even catch dinner! (If you don’t know how to prepare your own fresh catch, there are plenty of restaurants that can do it for you if you call ahead).

Along this southeastern section of the Gulf, you’re likely to catch snook, trout, redfish, tarpon, snapper, grouper, kingfish, and amberjack!

Here’s a list of some of Marco Island’s best fishing spots:

• Ten Thousand Islands: offers a nice variety between the mangrove islands and shallow oyster bars
• Caxambas Pass: a main waterway between Marco Island and the Gulf of Mexico
• Keewaydin Island: only accessible by boat, which offers a level of exclusivity
• Rookery Bay: known for a quieter experience 
• The Naples Pier: where the Gulf of Mexico and Naples Bay converge, offering a variety of species
• The artificial reefs offshore of Marco Island: best spot to find amberjack

Pro Tip: How long does it take to boat from Naples to Marco Island? 

Naples is the primary mainland location close to Marco Island. If you’re planning to boat from Naples to Marco Island, it’ll take close to 1.6 hours, depending on your departure and arrival locations and speed. The distance is approximately 8 nautical miles.

 

Marco Island Boating Rules & Regulations

For more information on boating laws, visit City of Marco Island online or Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Also, if you’re interested in learning how to boat starting at zero ground, sign up for a boating course with Boatsetter Academy.

One class takes up to two hours. Boatsetter Academy classes are at the helm, meaning you will get to operate the boat under the guidance of an expert boating instructor. Classes are free and take place in multiple locations around the country. Find a boating course near you!

1. You must idle when in bays, canals, within 500 feet of the shore or beaches, and when within 500 feet of a seawall. These are no wake zones.
2. Follow the navigational channel rules. The island channels are labeled with standard red and green markers to indicate the conventional “red right returning” system.
3. Never operate a boat or other water vessel when intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. If you want to drink while enjoying the island, consider hiring a captain with your boat so you, others, and the boat will stay safe and legal the entire time.
4. All boats have to conform to U.S. Coast Guard regulations and be properly registered and documented (again, renting a boat can be an asset here because this is already taken care of for you).
5. Do not moor to navigational markers.
6. Do not anchor to or impede the flow of traffic in navigation channels.
7. Always properly handle sewage; discharging untreated sewage into Florida waters is unethical and highly illegal.
8. Pay close attention to bridge clearances. These are clearly marked on the bridges and here. This is pertinent because you will probably have to go under at least three bridges when visiting Marco Island.

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