MARCO ISLAND BEACH GUIDE

Residents Beach – South Beach – Tigertail Beach
Cape Romano Kice Island – Keewaydin Island

Residents Beach

Residents Beach is a members-only beach located on Collier Blvd at the intersection of San Marco Rd.  The beach is very wide, white and soft, providing plenty of sunbather space. The Sessions Pavilion contains brand new restrooms facilities as well as a large deck for dining, partly shaded. A shell kiosk at the end of the boardwalk to the beach, educates beach-goers on the types of shells found here and what they look like. The Snack Shack at the pavilion serves breakfast and lunch.  The beach closes at sunset.
Pros: Secluded; widest beach area on Marco.
Cons: Must be a resident and member of the Marco Island Civic Association.
Likely Visitors: Year round and winter residents plus their families/guests
Getting There: Heading south on Collier Blvd, turn right into the parking lot opposite San Marco Rd.
Parking: Plenty of parking for residents with beach stickers.
Recreation options: Fishing volleyball, shelling, playground
Boat Ramp: No
Equipment Rental Options: None
Facilities: Restrooms, showers, playground, picnic area w/grills, chickee huts on the beach
Food options: Concessions
Pets allowed: None
Beach Wheelchairs Accessible: Yes; beach wheelchairs available

South Beach

Located on South Collier Blvd, Marco Island, there are 70 parking spaces and no facilities.  A $6 parking fee payable to the Master Meter, or Beach Parking Permit, is required.  The beach is open from sunrise to sundown. To obtain a pass to Sarazen Park South Beach, you May contact the Marco Island Civic Association (MICA) at 642-7778 or visit the web site at www.marcocivic.com. Collier County residents can obtain a free Collier County Beach parking sticker at Mackle Park (642-0575) between the hours of 9am to 9pm Mon-Fri; 9am to 5pm Sat; 1pm to 5pm on Sun.  You must show proof of Collier County residency.
Pros: Beautiful view, walk to watersport rentals, borders Tide beachfront restaurant.
Cons: Sometimes difficult to park; no facilities.
Likely Visitors: Visitors, local residents
Getting There: South on Collier Blvd; parking lot is on left; access path is on south side of the Apollo Condominiums.
Parking: $6 meter or Beach Parking Permit.
Recreation options: Fishing, Shelling
Boat Ramp: No
Equipment Rental Options: None, but nearby
Facilities: None
Food options: None
Pets allowed: None
Beach Wheelchairs Accessible: Yes

Tigertail Beach

On the northern side of the Island, this is perhaps the area’s top beach for wildlife viewing. Protected wading birds typically line the shores of a lagoon that separates parking and facilities area from the beach.  Birds have become acclimated to people and aren’t prone to spook.  It’s a great chance to watch some of the state’s most unique birds hunt and gather food.  Park rangers also offer several educational programs each week, including birding tours and presentations on coastal wildlife such as sea turtles and manatees.
Pros: Beautiful shoreline that’s relatively undeveloped while still being very close to residential and rental areas on Marco Island.
Cons: Traffic can be a challenge during winter and spring months.
Likely Visitors: Nature lovers who don’t want to get too far away from civilization.
Getting There: Take Collier Blvd to Tigertail Court, turn right, then left, onto Hernando Drive, which ends at the beach.
Parking: Parking is $6 in the parking lot or free with Collier County beach parking sticker
Recreation options Hiking, volleyball
Boat Ramp: No
Equipment Rental Options: Kayaks, canoes, beach chairs, windsurfers.
Facilities: Restrooms, showers, playground, picnic area
Food options: Concessions
Pets allowed: None
Beach Wheelchairs Accessible: Yes

Cape Romano Kice Island

Romano can only be accessed by boat. The closest public ramp is at Caxambas Pass Park at the south end of Marco Island. Cape Romano and Kice Island are within reach of canoe and kayak paddlers as well as powerboat owners wanting to see an undeveloped Southwest Florida shoreline.
Pros: Close to Marco Island while maintaining a feeling of remoteness. Beachfront camping permitted.
Cons: No facilities.  Need a boat to access.
Likely Visitors: Adventurous visitors willing to rent a boat or canoe/kayak and locals wanting to beach camp.
Getting There: Cape Romano/Kice Island is a little southwest of Caxambas Pass on Marco Island, and is a short boat trip away in the Gulf of Mexico.
Recreation options: Fishing
Equipment Rental Options: None
Pets allowed: None
Beach Wheelchairs Accessible: No

Keewaydin Island

A Boaters paradise on the south side of Gordan Pass.  It abuts the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, and untouched and pristine coastal wilderness.  Keewaydin is a mostly undeveloped shoreline that’s home to an exploding population of invasive iguanas.  The island is also the domain of many area boaters and fisherman.  Dozens of vessels can be found anchored off the beach whenever weekend weather permits.
Pros: Secluded beach with no vehicle traffic
Cons: No facilities and a boat is needed to get on and off the island
Likely Visitors: Local boaters with access to Naples Bay or visitors willing to rent a boat or pay for charter services.
Getting There: Keeywaydin is only reachable by boat.  The closest water access is found in Naples Bay at the Bayview Park off Danford Street
Recreation options:  Fishing, Hiking
Equipment Rental Options: None
Pets allowed: None
Beach Wheelchairs Accessible: No