Active Pursuits in Marco Island

The sugar-white Crescent Beach curves for 3 1/2 miles down the western shore of Marco Island. Its southern 2 miles are fronted by an unending row of high-rise condominiums and hotels, but the northern 1 1/2 miles are preserved in Tigertail Beach (tel. 239/252-4000), at the end of Hernando Drive. Restrooms, cold-water outdoor showers, a children's playground, watersports rentals, and a snack bar are available here. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk. There's no charge for the beach, but parking in the lot costs $10 per vehicle. The beaches in front of the Marriott, Hilton, and Radisson resorts have parasailing, windsurfing, and other watersports activities, all for a fee.

Outdoor Activities on Marco Island

Rose Marina, 951 Bald Eagle Dr. (tel. 239/394-2502), is the center for boat rentals, fishing, and cruises. Operating from a booth on the marina’s dock, Sunshine Tours (tel. 239/642-5415) will book offshore fishing charters and arrange backcountry fishing ($80 for adults, $70 for children 11 and under), shelling excursions to the small islands ($70 adults, $60 children 11 and under), and sunset and dinner cruises on the Marco Island Princess ($37–$69 per person). The backcountry fishing trips go at high tide, the shelling trips at low tide.

Sea Excursions (tel. 239/642-6400) also has a booth at the marina and books fishing, boating, and shelling cruises.

SCUBAdventures, based at 845 Bald Eagle Dr., Olde Marco (tel. 239/389-7889), charges $175 to $199 for two-tank dives, depending on the distance offshore.

The closest public golf course is Marriott’s The Rookery at Marco (tel. 239/353-7061), in the marshlands off Fla. 951 north of the island. A sign at the course warns: PLEASE DON’T DISTURB THE ALLIGATORS. Fees range $100 to $294.