Top 3 Best Things to do around Marco Island
October 9, 2022 | Paddle Marco
The best outdoor activities in Marco Island.
Many tourists unfortunately click websites like TripAdvisor, Groupon and Viator to book tours and activities. Did you know that those companies allow tour operators to give up to 40% of their gross earnings to get their business listing shown at the top of the search results?
YOUTUBE VIDEO: TripAdvisor and Viator allow tour operators to give up to 40% of their earnings to show their business listing on top of the search results
Search results on TripAdvisor, Groupon and Viator are no longer just merit based. We have listed the “Real” top 3 companies on Marco Island that offer outdoor tours and activities. These companies don’t give any money to the large tourism corporations be shown on top. The companies listed below are based on local testimonials, hotel concierge recommendations, word of mouth and merit based review platforms like Google and Yelp. They have also been in business for 5 or more years. Book with them directly below.
1) Paddle Marco – Kayak Tours & Rentals
Paddle Marco has consistently given the best nature tours on Marco Island for years. Whether you are a beginner or advanced kayaker, you’ll end up enjoying the kayak tour. During the 2 hour trip, you’ll paddle around 2 miles through protected mangroves just north of Marco Island. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, manatees, eagles, jumping mullet and huge conch shells. The biologist and naturalist guides leading your group will point out any wildlife and take free photographs of it with their SLR camera. Paddle Marco gives you the photos within 24 hours of your tour. Paddle Marco use a real camera to take pictures, unlike other companies who will just use a phone and might email you the pictures afterwards if they don’t forget about you. Paddle Marco also takes pictures of your family and individual action shots along the way. There are 4-5 stops along the way for people to take in the scenery and learn about the different types of mangroves and birds in the area. There are plenty of dad jokes too! The mix of science and humor is refreshing. Other companies’ customers that kayak in the same area as our tours, often tell us that they wish they were on our kayak tour because their guide wasn’t able to answer any of their nature questions. Kayak tours launch Monday-Saturday at 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM. It’s recommended to book online to save a spot as they do sell out.
2) Marco Pedal Boat
Marco Pedal boat has been around for several years giving tours along the Marco River. The 2 hour tour at sunset is the most popular. Enjoy spectacular views of multi-million dollar mansions while the captain tells you who owns them and stories about the area. Watch soaring osprey and dolphins jump in the wake of the boat as you sip on your favorite beverage and listen to your favorite music. As you pedal (or don’t pedal, it’s optional) to the gulf and see the sun in the distance, it really reminds you of how special Marco Island is. When the sun goes down, the lights go on and the dancing can begin! Marco pedal Boat has a spectacular light display on their boat and it’s a blast to cruise down the river, waiving to people at the Snook Inn restaurant and other people along the way. There is a bathroom on board and kids are welcome. Pedaling is totally optional. The Marco Pedal boat typically sells out, especially at sunset. It’s recommended to book online at their website.
3) Capt. Ron’s Everglades Jet Ski Tour
Capt Ron has been giving tours in the 10,000 islands and Marco Island area for nearly 30 years. Experience like that is hard to come by and it’s extremely important. Imagine going 45 MPH through tight mangrove tunnels with a guide who has only been giving tours for a short period of time. We see and hear about companies that have a customer crash or bottom out on the sand bar don’t have insurance. That’s a nightmare for the injured customer and the business owner. Capt Ron knows every bump, oyster bar and snag out there that could potentially spark trouble if somebody was to crash. He knows secret trails and routes that he has discovered over the last couple of decades that will set his tours apart from the competition. Let Capt ron bring you to the manatees and watch them swim under your waverunner. Capt Ron will make dolphins jump in the wake of your jet ski and snap photos of it while it’s happening and give those to you for free afterwards. Capt Ron is priced 20% higher than most other Jet Ski companies but his tour is longer, higher quality, offers photos and remember…. you get what you pay for. Book online here.
Those are the real top 3 outdoor, water activities and tours on Marco Island. Verify it with your hotel and check the reviews on Google and Yelp. This is your vacation. Don’t get stuck on a groupon tour to save a few bucks, you’ll only regret it and walk away disappointed. Have a great time on Marco Island and thank you for booking direct.