How To Get From Marco Island to Everglades National Park
Last Updated May 15, 2026
On the doorstep of Naples, Florida, is the Marco Island to Everglades National Park corridor, which may be the most stunningly beautiful area of Florida.
Within this corridor sits an island in the Gulf of Mexico called Marco Island. This island is 80% man-made through dredging and adding land to a very small original island, once inhabited by the Calusa Indians.
Just outside the island is the ecosystem called The Everglades. In fact, all the land surrounding the island is part of the Everglades. From the area known as the Ten Thousand Islands all the way east, almost to Miami is part of The Everglades and Everglades National Park.
Marco Island is a gem in the middle of the largest natural ecosystem in the Northern Hemisphere.
How do you get from Marco Island to Everglades National Park?
Directions To Everglades National Park
Marco Island is located in southwest Florida in Collier County, Florida. Just a short drive over a bridge, and you are in the Everglades.
Directions to Marco Island can be confusing, but simply stated, the directions are:
- From Tampa to Marco Island it is a little over 3 hours on I-75 south to Collier Blvd. near Naples. The distance is about 187 miles.
- From Naples Florida to Marco Island, take Route 41 (the Tamiami Trail) south on Collier Blvd. Total distance is about 18 miles.
- From Miami to Marco Island take I-75 west to Collier Blvd., about 2.25 hours and 107 miles. From Miami via Tamiami Trail (Rt. 41), it is about the same.
- From Punta Gorda to Marco Island, it is under 1.5 hours and 87 miles south on I-75 – then follow the Collier Road exit south to Marco.
The Everglades vs. Everglades National Park
What is the Difference?
Many people think these two names are synonymous, but they really aren’t. The Everglades is a vast wetland that actually starts just south of Orlando. It is a vast moving network of water that travels south. Everglades National Park is a 1.5 million-acre reserve covering about 20% of the southernmost portion of The Everglades.
Where is Marco Island Florida on a Map
Of the 22 square miles considered to be Marco Island, about half is land and the other half is water. Perfect for one of the best places to vacation in Florida.
Inhabited by about 17,000 people, Marco Island’s population swells almost double in the fall and winter months when tourists and part-time residents head for warm weather.
Marco Island History in a Nutshell
Marco Island was inhabited by the Calusa Indians until their disappearance in the 19th century due to war with Spain and diseases carried to Florida by Europeans.
The Calusa built their huts on mounds of shells to reach high ground and drainage. Artifacts and a Calusa village recreation can be found at the Marco Island Historical Museum.
It is notable that much of Marco Island’s history started with the Calusa on Goodland, Florida. Just off the eastern end of Marco Island.
Goodland has not seen the growth that Marco Island has experienced and the Goodland locals are happy about that!
After the development of Naples, Marco Island became a target for development by dredging canals along the edges of the small island to increase its land mass.
People flocked to this island development for second homes and a new lifestyle in the Sunshine State.
Marco Island Everglades Tour
If there is just one thing you choose to do on Marco Island, make it a tour of the most beautiful and unusual ecosystem in the western hemisphere – The Everglades.
There is flora and fauna not seen anywhere else in the country. From the prehistoric alligator to saltwater-based crocodiles that coexist in parts of The Everglades, to blooming florals that stun the senses.
Here are some recommendations for tours of The Everglades from Marco Island:
Airboat Ride and Nature Walk with Naturalist
10,000 Islands Everglades Boat Tour
Dolphin and Manatee Tour of the Everglades
2 Hour Dolphin & Birding Tour from Marco Island
Numerous hotels and family resorts line Collier Ave. on the Island. Most are beachfront on the Gulf with spectacular sunsets. The wide beaches have soft sand. Our favorite along the beach is the JW Marriott Beach Resort, probably the most prominent on the beach.
The Marriott has a great Florida tiki bar named Kane’s and a restaurant on the beach called Quinn’s. Both are casual fun places.
Inside the hotel, there are several other restaurants and bars along with a large entertainment/gaming area in their newest tower. Marriott is large and comfortable with a magnificent beach.
Collectively, the Marriott Resort amenities make Marco Island one of the best places to road trip in Florida.
Our second-best resort for the family is the Hilton Resort, a few steps west of the Marriott. The Hilton is closer to many of the best restaurants on the island and has a good program for the kids.
Their beach is comparable to the Marriott.
What To Do in Marco Island and Everglades National Park
On your Florida island vacation to Marco Island, you must visit the Snook Inn. Located on a main waterway encircling Marco Island, the Snook Inn has dozens of secure docks for their boat-loving crowd.
Food at the Snook Inn is above average, but normal Florida fare. Normal is plenty of local seafood. We can attest to entertainment that people enjoy starting at about 2 PM each afternoon.
Hiking, boating, bicycling, sailing, paddleboarding and laying are among the many things to do on Marco Island.
One of the most popular things to do on Marco Island is fishing. Both onshore and offshore fishing charters are available. We highly recommend backcountry fishing trips for redfish, snook and speckled trout.
For entertainment try an airboat in the Everglades (30 minutes away), or fishing charter boat from Marco, and various watercraft rentals and sailing options.
Other restaurants and bars around the Marriott include Marco Prime, NeNe’s Kitchen (breakfast), Marriott Lobby Bar for sushi and The Salty Dog.
Naples, a few miles away, has exceptional upscale shopping. The shops at Marco Island are also quite good.
Is Marco Island and Everglades National Park Safe for A Family Vacation
Is Marco Island Safe? Marco is very safe. Like most Florida islands, there is very little crime. We can only assume people realize the limited access to most islands and find other places for criminal activity.
Florida is a very safe state. For a list of the safest places in Florida, you can learn more here.
Marco Island Could Be the Ultimate Place in Florida for a Family Vacation
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Marco Island Map
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