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Marco Island Vacation Rental Homes

Marco Island Attractions and Activities

About Marco Island-A New Era

A sun-drenched jewel on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico, Marco Island features six miles of beach and over 100 miles of waterways within its 24 square miles. Marco Island is the largest Barrier Island within Southwest Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands area extending from Marco Island to Cape Sable. It lies within the subtropical to tropical climate zone and experiences a distinct wet and dry season with most of the rainfall occurring between the months of June and October. With a permanent population of 15,000 and a peak winter season population of 35,000, Marco Island’s residents and visitors alike call this special Island ... Paradise.

The City of Marco Island is located in Collier County, a short drive from the City of Naples. It is well known for its high quality of life, natural resources, casual atmosphere, and friendly people.

On August 28, 1997, the people of Marco Island elected to incorporate. Marco Island became a city for the second time. (The first time the city was known as Collier City and was incorporated in 1927, but later unincorporated.) The first seven-member City Council was subsequently elected with a council-manager form of government. City Council hired a city manager to assist in undertaking the task of providing traditional municipal services. With the invaluable assistance of many citizens who volunteered to serve on various committees, the structure of the City took place. The new City Council took on many issues simultaneously, including the development of a comprehensive plan, a land development code, and operating departments to include law enforcement, fire-rescue, parks and recreation, public works, community development and administration. City Council recognized the serious island infrastructure problems and has undertaken an aggressive capital improvement program. Bridges and roads have been repaired. Storm drainage problems continue to be addressed. Waterways are dredged to ensure safe boating access. Over 100 miles of streets, storm drainage, rights-of-way, 12 bridges, and six parks come under city jurisdiction. In May 2001 the City acquired the Bank of America building property on Bald Eagle Drive for $1.2 million. Located adjacent to the existing police and fire department property and across the street from the Marco Healthcare Center, this facility compliments the public service center of Marco Island as its first City Hall.

Following years of negotiations, the City acquired the water and wastewater system from a private owner in November 2003, at a cost of $85.3 million. The decision to acquire the utility was made with wide public support and now allows the community to make reasonable and environmentally sound decisions regarding future water supply and environmentally safe wastewater treatment processes. A business plan is under way to provide for better and more reliable water sources, new water treatment capacity, and an expansion of the wastewater collection system to eliminate septic tanks.

In 2003 the voters elected to acquire 6.85 acres of property near the town center at a cost of $10 million. The property will be master planned to provide a variety of recreational and cultural opportunities.

Several major projects are under way. These include the major reconstruction of North and South Collier Boulevard and the removal of overhead power lines to improve the beauty and ambiance of the island.

Quality commercial structures were and continue to be built along with upscale residential homes, condominiums and hotels. Architectural standards help ensure quality development that promotes the unique quality and ambiance of Marco Island.

Marco Island continues to attract visitors from all over the world and its property is in high demand. Property values have more than tripled since incorporation to almost $10 billion in 2005. Marco Island enjoys a realtively low property tax rate and historically reduces the tax millage rate each year. The 2005 city tax millage rate is $138.75 for each $100,000 of assessed value.

There are about 2,000 remaining vacant lots. New homes are constructed at a rate of about 200-300 each year. The recent trend has been the demolition of older homes with the replacement of larger residential structures. While homes and condominiums are considered to be expensive compared to most communities in Florida, threre is a wide variety and price range for homes, condominiums and vacation rentals. The retail businesses, quality restaurants, superb hotel and conference facilities, quality neighborhoods, easy access to the Gulf of Mexico, and pristine environment are among the finest in the nation. The white sandy beaches along the bright blue Gulf of Mexico, when combined with the warm winter climate are among the reasons that the residents and visitors call Marco Island "paradise."

Marco Island Florida Activities & Attractions

Marco Island has retained much of the natural beauty of its beginning when the Calusa Indians inhabited the island over 5,000 years ago. Lush tropical foliage and over 200 species of birds including the American Bald Eagle are found here providing opportunities for birdwatching as well as outdoor enthusiasts. The azure waters of the Gulf invite boaters to spend endless hours in the sun, whether to fish or just relax! In addition to boating and fishing, there is shelling snorkeling, windsurfing, ecotours and shopping - something for everyone!

Marco Island Beaches Locations of Marco Island beaches, hours, facilities available - including Tigertail Beach, Residents Beach and South Beach

Camping

Cedar Bay Yacht Club Fishing, Boat Rentals (Reserve a boat online! at Cedar Bay Rentals), Airboat Tours, Charters, Sunset Cruise

Dawn Patrol- Charter Fishing Spend a day with Captain Bill Walsh, fishing, shelling, sightseeing -- families and children are welcome.

Everglades Adventures Canoeing, Kayaking, Boat Tours, Camping Trips

Everglades Island AirBoat Tours and Totch's Island Boat Tours - airboat trips that take you deep into the vast and silent Everglades jungles.

Fishing

Golf

Hiking at Rookery Bay Reserve

Captain Bill Koupa

Local Parks

Marco Island Sea Excursions

Sail Marco

See Manatees

Shelling

Canoeing & Kayaking

Crystal Seas Kayaking - Florida Everglades

Golf

Boating, Fishing & Watersports

Ecotours & Sightseeing

Marco Island Museum

Marco Island Florida Weather

Marco Island Florida History

"Gateway to the awesome land of Ten Thousand Islands, Marco Island is about 4 miles wide, 6 miles long, and a mere 90 miles west of Miami and 157 miles south of Tampa.

History informs us that probably around 4000 BC the Calusa Indians, who may have been the descendants of the Mayans, inhabited the island. These Native People had built large mounds using millions of shells that offered them protection from hurricanes. The mounds were also used for religious temples and burial sites.

The Calusa were crafty and intelligent woodworkers, who constructed canoes, beams and planks for their houses, docks and piers. Due to disease brought to the island by the Spanish explorers, the Calusa were wiped out by the mid 1700s, later replaced by the Seminole. Until after the Civil War, there was little population occupying southwest Florida.

In 1870, W.T. Collier brought his wife and nine children to Marco Island. His son, William D. “Captain Bill” Collier, opened a 20-room hotel in 1896 that is today known as Olde Marco Inn. In 1922 Barron G. Collier (no relation to the other Colliers) purchased most of the island.

Unfortunately, the depression took its toll and development of the island was postponed until 1962.

It was at this time, when brothers Elliott, Robert and Frank Jr. Mackell developed a master plan for the island, after purchasing it from the Collier estate for the paltry sum of seven million dollars.

Not surprising, prior to its development in the mid-1960s, the population was a mere 550, as the only way to reach the island was by crossing a narrow, wooden, hand-operated swinging bridge. A trifle frightening!

Marco Island today has a permanent population of 15, 000 swelling to 35, 000 during the winter months."

Marco Island Events & Festivals

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