THE MARCO ISLAND TRAVEL GUIDE | What to Do in this Florida Island Beach Town

Let us be your Marco Island, FL travel guides as we show you the best things to do in this amazing Florida beach town. In this 2023 travel guide, we’ll take you to the best beaches, bars, and restaurants that Marco Island has to offer. We'll show you why Marco Island is a top Florida travel destination and one of the best Florida beach towns.
This is the second of our two-episode series exploring Naples and Marco Island. If you have not yet seen the first episode, you can do so by clicking here: • THE NAPLES FLORIDA TRA...
Thanks so much for watching. We appreciate everyone who watches, likes, comments and shares our content 😊 it really helps support the channel. If you enjoy the content and want to support the channel more with NO additional cost to you check out the options below:
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Other Recommended Videos:
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*Clearwater Beach Travel Guide (2023) - • THE CLEARWATER BEACH T...
*St Pete Beach Travel Guide (2023) - • THE ST PETE BEACH TRAV...
*Pinellas County (St Pete) Beaches Playlist - • Beaches in Pinellas Co...
*Best Florida Beaches Playlist - • BEST FLORIDA BEACHES |...
*St Pete Beach Tour (2022) - • THE ST PETE BEACH TRAV...
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For more Florida travel ideas check out our playlist: - kzbin.info/aero/PLO...
#naplesflorida #naples #explorcation #floridabeaches
Timeline:
00:00 - #1 Intro
00:28 - #2 Quaint Coffee Spot
02:10 - #3 The Most Popular Beach
07:41 - #4 A Breathtaking Beachside Lunch
09:32 - #5 The South Beach
10:15 - #6 Happy Hour on the Water
12:19 - #7 The Best Ice Cream
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Websites from Video:
Bean to Cup - www.beantocuplounge.com
Tigertail Beach Park - www.collierparks.com/collier_...
Kane Tiki Bar and Grill - kanetikibarandgrill.com
South Beach Access - www.collierparks.com/collier_...
Dolphintikibar - www.dolphintikibar.com
Sweet Annies - sweetanniesmarcoisland.com
Stock Video Footage in this Episode via Canva Pro
Music in this Episode:
All that Talks / A Month of Sleep / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Lush Dreams / The New Fools / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Totem Transport / Arc De Soleil / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Touch Dung / Lou Ricard / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Wave Breaker / Henrik Andersson / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Like the music in this video? Subscribe to Epidemic Sound at share.epidemicsound.com/4rg9gu
Explorcation consists of Jamie and Skylar, a couple who typically shares their travels and adventures via blogs and travel videos.
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Explorcation can be contacted at [e-mail]

[@Explorcation]

Hi everyone, thanks for exploring Marco Island with us. If you've visited Tigertail Beach (or even if you haven't)...what path did you (or would you) take? Wet or dry? If you want to see more of this area make sure to check out our Naples episode next!

[@aaronmccabe5787]

We take the wet path everytime!

[@Explorcation]

it saves so much time!

[@Squilly173]

I just went there for the new year

[@Explorcation]

@@Squilly173 we hope you had a good time!

[@andreachristensen615]

I went to Quinn’s and manes on my b day and we got to see the fire dancer it was one of the best birthday dinners ever!

[@Explorcation]

That is awesome! Not gonna lie I was pretty bummed we didn't get to see them, but we understood, it was sooo windy the day we visited. Thank so much for watching!

[@rachellerymek5529]

Love marco island shells shells shells

[@Explorcation]

Yes, so many shells!

[@jesswnukow]

I so appreciate the prices added. Thanks so much! Hope to see y'all around sometime.

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much for this feedback, Jess! If you ever see us out and about, be sure to stop and say hi!

[@dhhan1867]

❤❤🥰

[@Explorcation]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@pdogakron1623]

I hope you have more Naples videos coming. Can't wait to try those places you mentioned.

[@Explorcation]

For now we just have the one, but I am almost certain that we'll make it back someday to do some more exploring!

[@Ericaaaaaaaaaa]

What a fun vacation you guys had!!

[@Explorcation]

We had a blast, Erica! Thanks so much for watching!

[@gladysgriffin7347]

yes, you are right, this is the widest beach I've ever seen !

[@Explorcation]

It is so wide! We don't see how it could ever get crowded.

[@ramunegaizutis1286]

20k subscribers!! Yay!! Congratulations! 🎉🎉🎉 Loved this episode! We have been missing Marco/Naples....haven't been down since before the pandemic. We did go to Tiger Tail and took the loooong way. The reward for the hike was the beautiful Gulf! We stuck to South Beach after that, haha! Excellent video!

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much, Ramune. It was a really nice milestone to finally reach, and hopefully the next 20k will go much faster than the first 20k! We don't blame you for sticking to the South Beach after the walk to Tiger Tail. That walk was so LOOOONG. We don't mind long walks, but generally prefer it to be somewhere with drinks 😅

[@reginathornton7433]

What a huge beach! That Marriott was so elegant. Nice you can dine there. Great restaurants too! Thanks for the Fantastic videos! I feel like I am prepped to vacation there & will definitely cross the water at low tide.

[@Explorcation]

We couldn't believe how wide the Tigertail beach was! And that Mariott property was stunning. We will probably stay there, but it sure is beautiful! It's definitely worth monitoring the tides if you plan on visiting Tigertail. We hope you are able to get down there soon!

[@Eeeekamouse]

Looks like fun! 😊

[@Explorcation]

We definitely had a blast. We just wish we would have had more time!

[@perryhoward5064]

Love your channel, makes me happy

[@Explorcation]

We're so happy to hear that, Perry. Thanks so much for watching!

[@summerlinpublic5673]

Glad you guys are branching out! Great!

[@Explorcation]

We are too! We love our home in St Pete but it's always nice to get out and explore some new areas. Thanks so much for your continued support and for always taking the time to comment!

[@goinsomewheretogether]

Some years back we did the Tiger Tail beach through the water. I left my phone behind, but completely forgot my wallet. Oh well, a day later the wallet, money, and cc were dry. Also, as a Michiganian, Mackinac is pronounced as ending in aw...Mack-in-awe. Love your vids!

[@Explorcation]

Wow, that definitely sounds like something Skylar would do 😂 Thanks for the Mackinac pronunciation... never been to Michigan but got pretty close to the UP when we were up in northern Wisconsin. Hopefully we'll make it there sometime soon!

[@xrs54]

So glad I came across your channel! I LOVE south west Florida! Heading to Treasure Island for a day next month, and your video was very helpful! Loved the Marco video too! Had my honeymoon at the JW and Kane’s was my favorite! Definitely will watch the others and plan some more trips!

[@Explorcation]

We're so glad you discovered our channel! We really hope our videos help you make the most of your time in Florida. And wow, how amazing it must have been to have your honeymoon at the JW! Kane's really is the best!

[@AlejandroRodriguez-xn3he]

I love your travel videos. I was looking for travel ideas and this was helpful for me. Also the travel guide videos are beautifully made and narrated.

[@Explorcation]

Thank you for watching and for this incredibly kind and encouraging comment!

[@HyperXism]

As usual, amazing video.

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much! It was originally supposed to be part of the Naples video, but we're glad we decided to make it it's own video!

[@PrimeTimeTravelers]

Another great vlog! You guys put out great videos and you make a perfect team. We have never been to Marco Island, but this is going to have to change going forward. It just seems amazing in SW Florida! Have a great week!

[@Explorcation]

That area of Florida really does have it's own feel, even when compared to further north up the Gulf Coast where we live. We'd definitely recommend checking it out someday if you have the chance!

[@PrimeTimeTravelers]

@@Explorcation Oh yeah since we are visiting all of the state parks in FL we will get there someday!!

[@agostinoc9927]

20k Congratulations !!!!’

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much! It's a really nice milestone to finally reach!

[@BabyBoomerBarbie]

I live in St Pete,as well. Really enjoy your vids. Learning alot About the area and plan on seeing many places you have visited. Thanks

[@Explorcation]

We're so happy to hear that you're enjoying the channel, Barbara. If you ever run into us when we're out and about, be sure to stop and say hi!

[@TheAverageTourist]

I'm always a fan of happy hour deals especially by the water. So much pretty beach scenery in this episode. Your breakfast and lunch looked great - and I would have enjoyed that coffee place for sure. My hubby would have been allllll about the ice cream shop.

[@Explorcation]

Oh yeah. Our budget on these videos has definitely gone up a bit over the years, but we still can never pass up a good happy hour deal! Unfortunately so many are weekdays only, which makes me so much more excited for when Jamie is full time and we can actually film during the week!

[@adamschlosser5453]

Was at Tiger Tail as February and we took the short way through the lagoon. Love your videos!

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much for watching. The water crossing is definitely the way to go...unless you are looking for a very long beach walk 😁

[@kareneudaley2635]

The crabby lady is an excellent place to eat. Kinda has a dive bar vibe but oh the fried shrimp was some of the best I'd had.

[@Explorcation]

We had a chance to visit there a few weeks back. We only drank and ate a piece of key lime pie, but the pie was to die for!

[@BeingBedingfield]

20K…whoop whoop 🥳 congratulations guys! Waiting for that livestream 😉😅 More beautiful beaches…how is that possible! You live in such a dreamy part of the world 😍 Jamie…love your skirt! Yay for the tiki bar! Pork belly and dumplings…two of our favourite things 🤤 Ooh, another tiki bar! Love it!! I also want a freaky tiki 🍹🍹🍹 That ice cream looks incredible!!

[@Explorcation]

Unfortunately I think you guys were the only two people that voted for the livestream in our poll, but someday we'll still have to do one, just to get Skylar out of his comfort zone😂 Pork belly and dumplings are two of our favorite things too!

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

woot woot! #727!!! SKRT SKRT!

[@genehinders9639]

Wow, another place to add to our list of places to check out...as far as the Tigertail Beach question I think we'd have to take the drier route 😉

[@Explorcation]

LOL yeah probably a good decision!

[@ultanwoods]

Great video

[@Explorcation]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

lol I always think of ya'll when I see those chicken ducks! they always hangout in the parkinglot of my complex, idk y

[@Explorcation]

😆 that is funny, we thought those birds were so interesting when we moved to Florida, we had never seen them before. We used to see them all the time when we lived in Sarasota. We always enjoy watching them wander around!

[@ScullyPopASMR]

Love this travel channel.

[@Explorcation]

Thanks, Scully!! You're the best.

[@franklysocial]

Ive lives in naplea since 05 thanks for visiting

[@Explorcation]

You live in a beautiful place and we had a wonderful time in your city. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@aliciap3994]

Yup I went to tigertail when I went to marco for the first time and started through the lagoon but had my elderly parents with me so ended up walking allllll the way around... I'm going to marco right after Christmas and plan on going way further south and not tigertail. I love Marco Island!!

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment. We love Marco Island too! And yeah probably a good decision not to drag the elderly through the lagoon 😂, although after walking that far through the sand I'm guessing they may have wished they would have chanced it. When you return, we would definitely suggest the lagoon route. We'd just recommend a pair of water shoes and a dry bag.

[@LucasWorldTravel]

Congrats on 20K guys! You guys are killing it! Your happy hour drinks look so good. I still can't believe that french fries cost $15 though. We've been gone so long I honestly don't know if we can afford the US anymore. You guys are really selling that Florida lifestyle though!

[@Explorcation]

Thanks so much! To be fair those fries were covered in pork belly, but even then, still pricey. We definitely cannot wait for the day we are both full time and can get away to some of those bargain destinations that you guys have become accustomed to!

[@gladysgriffin7347]

I agree Jamie "The longest beach walk ever !! I did it twice to walk to the restroom !

[@Explorcation]

Yes once is long enough... but twice?! You definitely got in your workout for the day!

[@gladysgriffin7347]

@@Explorcation Funny !

[@BobCarlson]

Happy 20K subscriber day! I did a similar water crossing in Fort Lauderdale when I first arrived in FL. Low tide was fine but as a newbie I was not expecting chest deep water on the way back. Then mid stream about 20 Eagle Rays rocketed right around me. My heart still pounds thinking about it 40 years later. But now I appreciate how cool that was.

[@Explorcation]

Thank you 😁 we are so happy to hit that milestone and are grateful for everyone who has supported our channel so far ❤️ The water crossing you did 😳 I am glad it turned out ok and you now have a great memory of the experience. I (Jamie) would not have been happy to cross back in water that deep 😆

[@rainy1216]

Your videos really are getting better and better. I look forward to them. I just have to know - where is your skirt/sarong from? I absolutely love it!

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much! We try to improve with every video, and we're always glad to hear when people are noticing the improvement! Regarding the skirt/sarong, I wish I remembered the exact name of the store, but it was a small local clothing store in Lawrence, KS.

[@AlejandroRodriguez-xn3he]

Just subcribed! :)

[@Explorcation]

Thanks so much!

[@deanna3301]

Hubby & I took the lagoon route when we were there in 2021. Scary at first but it was fine. The water was deliciously warm. 😃

[@Explorcation]

Good decision! We'll definitely take the lagoon both there and back next time we visit. Like you said, a bit scary at first, but after that it was kinda fun.

[@deanna3301]

@@Explorcation For sure!

[@guitarkis4969]

Love your channel and adventures. Can't stand your coffee choices.....I need regular, strong coffee with no flavoring LOL Nothing personal of course, I'm not drinking it, you are.

[@Explorcation]

Lol Skylar can drink straight black coffee, but not me! Plus it would probably not be as interesting for most if we just ordered plain black coffee every time. Anyway, thanks for the support despite our terrible coffee choices 🤣

[@gladysgriffin7347]

We took the long one, it is half mile walk !

[@Explorcation]

It really is a long one!

[@angmed6582]

The wet way… nice place

[@Explorcation]

It's really the only reasonable option!

[@JC-po6yj]

great video! Congrats for the 20k Subscribers!! 🎉Marco Island is a great place! we had a great time there. Btw we wanted to thank you for the Ming Ming Tea Sushi restaurant recommendation in one of your videos. We went there 3-4 times in our last visit a few weeks ago.

[@Explorcation]

Thanks, JC. We had a blast in Marco but wish we would have allocated more time. Also, we're so glad that we helped you discover Ming Ming. That places really is such a bargain and is our new go-to sushi spot!

[@JC-po6yj]

@@Explorcation Ming Ming is a great place can’t wait to go back in June/July. They have very interesting shushi that I have never seen before (not even in London). Btw probably you know Mazzaro’s Italian market place in st Pete, if not you must go! what an amazing place! it is an italian Deli, but honestly it is amazing!!! best cakes and pastries ever + so many italian meets, wines….so so good.

[@Explorcation]

@@JC-po6yj oh wow, we also thought they had very unique options, did you happen to try any with the black rice (i think it is called black rice but looks purple) those are some of our favorites! Oh Mazzaro's,...we really do need to go there, it is one of the most recommended places we get on the channel. It seems so silly that we haven't been there yet! Thanks for sharing though, it is a good reminder that we need to work it into a video soon!

[@JC-po6yj]

@@Explorcation Hi! 👋🏻We didn’t try the ones with black rice but for sure we will do next time 😀 . I think my fave was the bamboo Roll (avocado and salmon - no rice-) was delicious!! and I have to say the lady at Ming Ming she is very talented not easy at all to do that one without rice. If you go to Mazzaro’s you can always visit Bananas records (just across the road) what a great shop! I love it! If you like music that place is paradise.

[@Explorcation]

@@JC-po6yj definitely try the black rice rolls! We will have to try the bamboo roll, sounds very interesting. Thanks for the Bananas records tip, we had not heard of it before!

[@ukulelebutterfly]

Well Done! I'm a Local. It's interesting to see how people view where I call Home. But, Bless Your Heart. Tigertail Beach?!?!? It hasn't been a Beach in years. I wouldn't worry so much about your electronics going across the Lagoon as I would the Dangerous remnants of Hurricane Ian. I used to work at The Dolphin Tiki years ago. Cheers! 🍸 🍹 ~ 🦋

[@Explorcation]

Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment. We had a great time exploring your island!

[@ukulelebutterfly]

@@Explorcation 🦋

[@DukeWayneLopez]

That pork belly looked good!!!

[@Explorcation]

It was every bit as good as it looked, Duke!

[@goprojoe8708]

Great tour of Marco Island, we haven't made it to Marco yet, but it's now on my list, thanks. You have to be from Michigan to know, but Mackinac is pronounced Mackinaw.

[@Explorcation]

Thank you! We had a blast making the video, but wish we would have had another day or 2! And thank you for the Mackinac pronunciation, that is one that we never would have guessed!

[@emmaswartzendruber]

Could you make a video about the best dog friendly beaches near you guys, would be helpful for planning a Florida trip with our dogs

[@Explorcation]

We may have to do that someday. Until then, we did make a video about St. Pete being voted the #1 dog city in the US. We went to two dog beaches in that video (Fort Desoto and Pass A Grill). We've also visited dog friendly beaches in our Honeymoon Island video and our recent Clearwater Beach video. Thanks so much for watching!

[@kareneudaley2635]

The long walk was the way we went.

[@Explorcation]

LOOONG walk indeed! 😂

[@nataliya2641]

Nice. Hello from Moscow.

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much! And hello from St. Pete Florida!

[@MikefromStPete]

7:22 😂😂😂

[@Explorcation]

I was surprisingly impressed with Jamie's lunch choice! But of course she still got her dessert.

[@najma53]

Hi guys great video! Do you think the trails you were on are stroller friendly? I want to take our child who doesn’t walk yet

[@Explorcation]

Thanks for watching! Are you asking about the trails to the beach? The beaches we visited on Marco Island were quite wide, to get to the water you would have to push a stroller quite a ways in sand.

[@najma53]

@@Explorcationhi thanks for your reply! I was referring to the trails where you saw the alligators and the nature.

[@Explorcation]

@@najma53 thanks for clarifying. I don't recall trails with alligators in Marco Island. Is it possible that you are referring to the parks we visited in the Naples episode?

[@najma53]

@@Explorcationoh I didn’t realize I commented on the wrong video, yes the trails in Naples!! That video was awesome and made us all the more excited to try and move there.

[@Explorcation]

@@najma53 😆 that makes so much more sense! It has been a while since we were there, one of the parks had a boardwalk throughout the park (Corkscrew Sanctuary), the other one where we saw the giant gator on the side of the trail had a small boardwalk section, but then it changed to grass/dirt (Crew Rookery) I would not recommend a stroller on those trails.

[@gladysgriffin7347]

We could not go to South Marco Beach because we could not find a place to park !!

[@Explorcation]

Sorry to hear that, Gladys! We went during a kind of off time, but we could definitely see how it could fill up quickly.

[@lewisblack3053]

Tigertail Beach is one of the best shelling spots in Florida. That walk through the lagoon would bother me. I am afraid of the nasty marine life in the area, especially stingrays.

[@Explorcation]

Yeah, we were definitely trying to do the stingray shuffle while walking through that Lagoon, but we were more concerned about our electronics. We saw A LOT of people out shelling on Tigertail Beach, and do believe that it's one of the best spots in Florida for it. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment, Lewis!

[@rachellerymek5529]

Too slimmy for me we take the long way

[@Explorcation]

LOL yeah the shortcut is a bit slimy!

[@andreas11735]

Marco is the most boring place on earth. Everyone is 100, the restaurants are terrible and the weather is unbearable.

[@Explorcation]

The food we had was good as was the weather. The people were definitely a bit on the older side, but we know plenty of older people who still know how to have a really good time 😂

[@pretz8982]

Hi from Michigan! (Yup, it's "Mack-in-aww" 😁). Me & my hubs are spending a week on Marco Island. My #1 happy place (Sanibel Island) isn't recovered from Ian, so Marco I. it is. Loved how you guys showed Tiger Tail Beach & what the lagoon shortcut is like plus the trails through the mangroves. Hubs was not wanting to go that way when we're there, but you guys clearly showed it's safe at low tide. Thanks! I can't wait to visit some of the cool little places that you guys did too. Next, gonna watch you guyses Naples vid. We've watched lots of other videos about the area and I liked yours best of all. ❤️🙏🏻🌞👍🏻🧓🏻👩🏻‍🦳❤️

[@Explorcation]

Who taught you Michigander's how to spell things anyway?! 😂 We are going to have to visit Mackinac Island now just so we can make reference back to the time we butchered the pronunciation! But anyway, thank you so much for the kind and encouraging comments. You'll definitely be fine going through the lagoon at low tide... just make sure you bring a dry bag to keep your phones and other valuable safe and dry. We hope you have a great time on Marco!

[@candiseburgess6972]

This is the same reason we chose Marco Island.. but I think Sanibel is friendlier. I really don’t know if this place is worth it- just to find sand dollars. I’m also thinking of Naples or St. Pete’s Beach. I really need help deciding!

[@ralphmarquez9548]

I'll stick with the Caribbean Florida sucks 😅

[@Explorcation]

Florida's a pretty big and diverse state... surely you can find at least some part of it that you enjoy 😆