How to Visit Tigertail Beach and the Public Beaches on Marco Island

by Lori Sorrentino

Heading to Marco Island Florida and want to visit Tigertail Beach and the beautiful beaches on Marco Island? Here’s what to know and how to visit the public beaches on Marco Island!

If you’ve been dreaming of a getaway to beautiful Marco Island, Florida, there’s a lot to dream about.

Together with its sister city of Naples, the two sit fairly close to each other on the state’s south west coast before Florida bay stretches beyond to the Florida Keys.

Collectively they make up what’s known as the Paradise Coast.

Marco Island has a lot in common with Naples including great restaurants and lots of things to do.

But Marco Island is the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands, and therefore surrounded by water and small barrier islands that dot the shallow aquamarine landscape.

It’s a watery vacationland with beautiful beaches consistently rated among the best in the world.

But with that exclusivity comes accessibility, and unfortunately for visitors most of the Marco Island beaches are not publicly accessible. I know, and it pains me to write that.

Thankfully however, the few public beaches on Marco Island — including Tigertail Beach — are among the best beaches in southwest Florida.

In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about visiting Tigertail Beach Marco Island, and which other beaches are public, where to access them, and where to park, to the best places for shelling, and even how to access the private beaches.

This article may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase we may earn a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Beautiful Tigertail Beach


Here’s What’s in This Article:

Getting to Marco Island

Marco Island Beaches

Marco Island Public Beach Access

Tigertail Beach

Alligators in Tigertail Lagoon

Tigertail Beach Parking

Shelling on Marco Island

Getting to Marco Island



At one time, getting to Marco Island was a real adventure for intrepid travelers.

There was once a ferry service which operated between the Isles of Capri and Marco Island from around 1912 to 1938, as well as rail service.

In 1927, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad began service to Marco but was discontinued it in 1944.

And there was also a wooden vehicle bridge on Goodland, and remnants of this can still be seen next to the current Goodland Bridge built in 1975.

Today, all you have to do is drive straight south on Route 951/Collier Blvd from Interstate 75 or Rte. 41/Tamiami Trail — and you’re there.

An ibis feeds on Tigertail Beach, one of the public beaches on Marco Island

Marco Island Public Beaches

As beautiful as Marco Island is, there is one thing many visitors dislike, and we can’t say we blame them: most of the beach access on the island is private.

There are only two public beaches in Marco Island: Tigertail Beach and South Beach. That’s it!

We sometimes see articles including the Naples beaches in with Marco Island beaches, and it’s important to note these beaches are not located on Marco Island.

Naples beaches such as the Naples Pier Beach and Lowdermilk Park are located off of Marco Island and a 45-minute drive away (during season), longer for Barefoot Beach, Delnor Wiggins State Park, and Vanderbilt Beach which are located in North Naples.

Despite the fact there are only two public beaches in Marco Island, what beaches there are should satisfy any beach lover, though parking can be tough in season, especially at South Beach.

Tigertail Beach and South Beach are both beautiful beaches.

Plus, one of our favorite and frequently deserted beaches, Keewaydin Island, is also nearby.

Tigertail Beach and Sand Dollar Spit

480 Hernando Drive, Marco Island

Tigertail Beach is without a doubt one of the most unique beaches you will ever visit!

You can access 2 very different beaches, climb the bird watching tower for great views over the lagoon, explore tidal pools, go shelling, rent kayaks and other beach watercraft, and laze the day away.

There’s plenty to do for a few hours or the entire day for kids.

South Marco Beach

930 Swallow Avenue, Marco Island

The southernmost public beach on Marco Island is South Beach, sometimes referred to as Sarazen Beach for its proximity to Sarazen Park.

There is a public parking lot, restrooms, playground and picnic facilities.

The water at South Beach is generally calm and good for swimming, and it’s an overall great beach for families.

Keewaydin Island

GPS: 26.0704° N, 81.7869° W

One of the most best beaches in Collier County is Keewaydin Island.

It is one of the only dog-friendly beaches in Collier County, and is only accessible by boat.

So you’ll need to take a boat tour to get there, or rent your own.

Is a visit to Keewaydin worth getting there? Absolutely, yes!

The island is unique among any beach in SWFL and especially good for shelling.

Whatever you do on your trip to Marco Island, be sure and visit Keewaydin at least once during your visit.

And remember, take only photographs, leave only footprints!

Marco Island Public Beach Access points


Marco Island Public Beach Access



Whether you’ve waited all year for your Marco Island getaway or it was a last-minute deal that brought you here, the gorgeous beaches are probably one of the biggest reasons you’re here!

So, not to put too fine a point on the issue of beach access, but here is what you need to know to visit the public beaches in Marco Island.

We’ve included additional info as well, for long-term renters here for a month or longer.


Parking at Marco Island Public Beaches

Daily parking at Tigertail Beach or South Beach: You can pay $8 per day at the parking lot, or $50 for the month to park at either of the public beach

12-Month Beach Pass for Long-term Renters - Long term renters (with a minimum 12-month lease) on Marco Island can purchase a 12-month beach parking pass for $50 at multiple Collier County community center locations. which can be a good deal if you plan on visiting the area multiple times.


Tigertail Beach Access

480 Hernando Drive, Marco Island

Parking: $8 per vehicle

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Parking spaces: 226 regular parking spaces and 6 handicap spaces


Set your car’s GPS to 480 Hernando Drive and you’ll see the welcome sign and gate to Tigertail Beach.

You’ll see a small parking lot near the beach concessions, but follow the road to the left for lots more parking and better access to the beach.

You can also access Tigertail Beach without a car by walking or biking along the main beach.

If you’re driving and need to park, you’ll have to wait until the gate opens at sunrise.

Boardwalk to Tigertail Beach

South Marco Beach Access

930 Swallow Avenue, Marco Island

Parking: $8 per vehicle

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Parking spaces: 70 parking spaces and several additional spaces with handicap accessibility.

Parking on the streets near South Beach is not allowed.


The only public beach access on the south end of Marco Island is for South Beach, and you can access the beach at 930 Swallow Avenue.

This is the largest public parking lot for the South Marco Public Beach and just a half block walk to South Collier Blvd.

Parking can be very challenging, especially during season.

Plan to get there early in the day or after 4:30PM when many people head back for dinner but before the sunset rush begins.

The path between Apollo Condominiums and Cape Marco leads to the beach.

You’ll also free kids’ life jackets to borrow on the honor system, as well as racks for parking your bikes.

South Marco Beach is a great family beach and great for swimming and shelling (see more on shelling on Marco Island below).

You can fish from the beach, which often attracts dolphins — a nice bonus!


Additional Public Beach Access Points

There are two Public Beach Access Points along South Collier Blvd, with access to a small public beach.

However there is no public parking lot, so you must walk, bike, or have someone drop you off:

  • 414-600 S Collier Blvd — between the Marriott Crystal Shores and Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa, two of the best beach resorts on Marco.

  • 350 South Collier Blvd between the Royal Seafarer and the Madeira Condominiums.


Access to Marco Island’s Private Beaches

If you plan on being in Marco Island for a month or longer, there is a way to potentially access one of Marco Island’s exclusive beaches that is normally private:

Residents Beach

Located mid-island, this lovely beach with lots of amenities on Marco Island is for residents only.

However, if you rent a property for a month or longer in the area, you can pay $140 for the month to park at either of the Residents’ beach parking lots – Residents’ Beach and Sarazen Park at South Beach.

If you go back to Marco during the fiscal year (September 1 through August 31), they’ll issue you another Residents’ Beach pass at no additional charge.

Tigertail Beach Marco Island


Tigertail Beach

Hours: Open year-round, 8:00 am – sunset


Before we ever visited Tigertail Beach for the first time, I remember being so confused at everything I’d read about it.

It was the oddest thing — I mean, who doesn’t know what a beach is like?

But frankly, I didn’t know if it was a beach or a swamp.

But once you visit, you’ll see just how truly unique a place it really is.

Tigertail Beach has white-sand beaches, bird and nature-watching, tidal pool and barrier island exploration, amazing shelling, and some of the best sunset viewing on Marco Island.

Add in all the kid-friendly amenities and you have one of the best beaches Marco Island has for families and kids!


The Inner (First) Beach

There are essentially two beaches at Tigertail: the inner and the outer beach.

Five boardwalks lead from the larger parking area to the first sandy beach, the inner beach, which usually has some seaweed clumps and a few shells.

The dry sand here feels hard and compact and sand in the shallow water feels a bit loamy under your toes.

Welcome to the lagoon!

As you’re standing on the beach overlooking the lagoon, you’ll see Sand Dollar Island directly in front of you.

This is a popular nesting area for many native bird species including black skimmers and terns.

You’ll also see herons, egrets, and ibis galore at the tidal lagoon between Tigertail Beach and Sand Dollar Island, and there is usually a few resident osprey in the nest platforms around the inner beach.

There’s a small beach rental shack that rents beach equipment by the hour — paddle boats, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, and beach bikes with giant red tires that look fun but seem like a lot of work to get anywhere can be rented.

If you like this beach, plop your stuff down and enjoy!


The Outer Beach (Sand Dollar Beach)

But if this beach isn’t exactly the soft white sandy beach you had in mind, then you’ll need to go a bit further — and wade through the lagoon and down a short sandy path to the outer beach.

Trust me, if you can manage it and don’t have a fear of the murky water, it’s fun!

You’ll probably see some people walking through the lagoon — just follow them to the other side.

The shallowest part of the lagoon is in front of the wooden bird watching tower, and you simply walk through the water to the path on the other side.

Depending on the tide, the water depth can be knee deep or waist deep).

Then it’s just a short 2 minute walk to the outer beach.

The outer beach — sometimes referred to as Sand Dollar Beach — is where you’ll find the soft white sand and excellent shelling.

But when you see it for the first time, it all makes sense.

This image (below) may help you understand this unique beach: the parking area is off to the 3 o’clock position.

Five individual boardwalks bring you from the parking lot to the first beach, where inner lagoon and estuary is. That’s what you see here.

Crossing the lagoon at Tigertail Beach

What if you don’t want to wade through the lagoon to get to the beach?

If you drove here and would rather not get wet or carry your belongings with you through the water, PARK AT THE FARTHEST END OF THE PARKING AREA and walk AROUND the estuary to get to the beach.

But as you can see from the pictures above, it’s not a short walk.


Alligators in Tigertail Lagoon

The biggest question you might have about trudging through murky green water is, what about alligators? Am I right?

I once thought the same thing.

There are alligators in the Everglades, but are they in these waters? Probably not.

It’s HIGHLY UNLIKELY for alligators to be in the lagoon.

First, alligators don’t like salt water,

Second, they can’t live in salt water (saltwater crocs are also not near Marco Island and are only found at the southern tip of Florida Bay).

While alligators have been known to get into saltwater on occasion, there is enough salt water in this lagoon (which is directly fed just a few hundred yards away from the Gulf).

There are also enough people trudging in and around the water, that you’re unlikely to ever see one near Tigertail Beach.

View over the lagoon from the bird-watching tower at Tigertail Beach

Tigertail Beach Parking

Parking $8 daily per vehicle (or $1.50 per hour for non-beach parking pass holders).

There are 226 parking spaces including eight hourly parking spaces, plus 6 handicap parking spaces available.

Beach parking permits are available from the city of Naples or Collier County.


Amenities at Tigertail Beach

  • Concessions — The concession stand at Tigertail Beach offers food, drinks, and snacks, as well as beach equipment rentals.

    (They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, June 1st through October 31st)

  • Picnic Area

  • Playground

  • Beach rentals - including jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks, beach chairs, and umbrellas.

  • Restrooms

  • Handicap Accessibility — the Park is ADA Compliant and there is a handicapped beach wheelchair available

Alcohol

Alcohol on Marco Island Public Beaches is allowed and beach-goers may have alcohol on the beaches everywhere on Marco Island, as long as it's not in a glass container.

Tigertail Beach has lots of fun kayaks, paddleboards, and beach buggies to rent by the hour or day

Shelling on Marco Island

If you love beachcombing, you’ll be in shell heaven, and Marco Island in particular is a popular destination for shelling.

Seashells wash up by the millions each day along the shores of southwest Florida because of the gentle, gradual slope of its shoreline which can stretch for miles before dropping sharply offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.

Shelling on Marco Island is generally decent on any beach, but the prime spots for shelling are the outer beach at Tigertail (much better for shelling than the inner/lagoon beach), the deserted keys just south of Marco Island across Caxambas Pass, and Keewaydin Island.


If you love kayaking, Marco Island is one of the best places to do that and find amazing shells.

You can easily access small beaches with perfect, beautiful shells scattered on the beach!

Rent a kayak and paddle out from the Caxambas Pass Marina to Henry Key and Dickmans Island and you’ll find some real gems.

Sand dollars are very popular on Tigertail so keep an eye out (but never collect live sand dollars).

Other common shells include the Florida fighting conch, Lightning whelks, Calico scallop, and at certain times of year the tiny and colorful Coquinas.

We always recommend a good shelling guide to help you identify your shells when you visit southwest Florida!

The best place to find the shells is where the tide meets the sand and a bit further up from the water line where the ocean debris has accumulated like seaweed.

Large shells often get stuck in the seaweed and are passed by others looking for shells.

KEEWAYDIN ISLAND SHELLING

Keewaydin Island is a barrier island located between Naples and Marco Island.

The big appeal of a visit there is its close proximity to Marco Island and that it’s only accessible by boat.

You can rent a boat to get there, find a generous friend, or take the Hemingway Water Shuttle from Marco.

The cost for a family is reasonable (adult tickets are $22/person and kids are $12 each way).

You can spend hours on Keewaydin exploring with the kids, sunbathing, and of course finding the Mother Lode of shells!



What is Live Shelling and Why It’s Illegal

Shelling is one of the most fun and unique activities in SWFL, but if you aren’t familiar with the term live shelling, please read this and share with your children!

Live shelling is self-explanatory — it means taking a shell home with a live inhabitant still inside.

It’s easy to see if a shell is live — just look inside.

If you see a hard covering over the open end of the shell (called an operculum), or anything obstructing the opening, it’s a live shell, and you should return it to the water.

Please note that live sand dollars are live shells!

If the sand dollar is still a darkish red/brown color and the hundreds of feet on its bottom are still moving, it is still alive.

Only take sand dollars home with you if they are dry and grayish white.

There are heavy fines for taking live shells, and it’s simply the wrong thing to do!

  No live shelling on Marco Island
No live shelling on Marco Island The operculum of a live shell
The operculum of a live shell

Have you been to Tigertail Beach and the public beaches on Marco Island?

Drop us a line with questions you have or for more info!


 

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