Marco Island is the largest and one of the most northerly of the 10,000 Islands on Florida’s southwestern Gulf Coast, and a true fishing vacation paradise.  Marco Island is a wonderful place to go to enjoy some of south Florida’s more remote natural attraction. Many parks and preserves are located near Marco Island with regular tours to Rookery Bay Nature Preserve, 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Preserve, Collier-Seminole State Park, and Everglades National Park. Airboat tours of the Everglades National Park are a popular and fascinating adventure with sightings of alligator, American crocodiles, over 350 species of birds, manatees, snakes, dolphins and more common on an exciting airboat ride. Take a boat tour through the mangroves to see marine mammals such as the peaceful manatees or playful dolphins frolic in the peaceful waters.  Hiking, sailing, windsurfing, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and shell hunting on Marco Island’s beautiful white sand beaches are just some of the outdoor adventures available on Marco Island.  Beach parties and several local pubs and bars offer a relaxed and enjoyable nightlife.

The Esplanade Shoppes is a charming shopping center on scenic Smokehouse Bay.  The Esplenade offers upscale shops and boutiques, fine dining an oceanfront promenade, and a 77 boat slip marina in a quaint Italian villa style atmosphere. Marco Island offers the best in fresh local seafood, surf and turf and fine dining at a variety of local restaurants ranging from casual to upscale. Southwest Florida International Airport is located one hour north of Marco Island and is serviced by many commercial airliners including: American, American Eagle, Continental, Air Canada, Delta, Frontier, Jet Blue, Northwest, Southwest, United, U.S. Air, and more. Rental cars and airport shuttles to Marco Island are widely available.

Marco Island offers the very best in backwater fishing for species such as snook, redfish, sea trout, tarpon, flounder, pompano, snapper, jack Crevalle, juvenile goliath grouper, ladyfish, juvenile black drum and much more. Offshore, deep water fishing on the reefs and wrecks of the Gulf waters is great fishing for goliath grouper, black grouper, yellowtail, snook, shark, black drum, cobia, barracuda, amberjack, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel and more.

Marco Island has a large number of experienced and friendly backwater and offshore fishing charters that operate year round for any experience level.  The weather on Marco Island is tropical with temperatures ranging from the high 70’s in winter to the low 90’s in summer.  Rainfall is heaviest in the summer months of June through September.  Many fish species are caught year round in Marco Island waters.  Winter offshore fishing is best for amberjack, black drum, black and gag grouper, with excellent fishing for these species from November to March.  Barracuda jack Crevalle, goliath grouper, shark, yellowtail, and snook are better in the spring and summer months of March through October.  Inshore fishing for ladyfish and redfish is excellent year round with inshore fishing for tarpon and sea trout being best in April through June.  Mangrove snapper is best caught April through November while permit is best May through August. No matter what time of year you choose to come to Marco Island, great fishing is a way of life.

If you are looking for a fishing destination that offers the best in natural preserves and parks, gorgeous white sand beaches, the finest local seafood, elegant waterfront shopping, fun and exciting nature tours, many exciting water sports, and the best inshore backwater and offshore fishing around, Marco Island, Florida is a great destination for your next fishing vacation.