OT: Marco Island & Naples

[jaydogsmooth1]

Heading down today. I know a bunch of you have been. Anyone have reco's for things to do? We're staying at South Seas on Tigertail beach. Any advice on

Restaurants
Water sports (Waverunners / parasailing / banana boat)
Fishing charters
Regular boat tours

Wife and 8 year old daughter do not want to sit on beach all day. TIA!

 

[Knight Shift]

Fast ferry to Key West.

 

[e5fdny]

Jet Boat in Tin City if it’s still there after the hurricane(s).

 

[RU848789]

Heading down today. I know a bunch of you have been. Anyone have reco's for things to do? We're staying at South Seas on Tigertail beach. Any advice on

Restaurants
Water sports (Waverunners / parasailing / banana boat)
Fishing charters
Regular boat tours

Wife and 8 year old daughter do not want to sit on beach all day. TIA!

Naples in August? Every day will have a heat index between 105 and 110F and you'll be praying for t-storms to provide a little relief. When I visit my dad in the summer in Vero, my primary goal is ensuring the AC is working properly, lol. Only been to Naples once, a couple of years ago, but recall liking Sail (seafood) and Osteria Tula (Italian). Enjoy.

https://floridatrippers.com/restaurants-in-naples/

 

[Knight Shift]

Naples in August? Every day will have a heat index between 105 and 110F and you'll be praying for t-storms to provide a little relief. When I visit my dad in the summer in Vero, my primary goal is ensuring the AC is working properly, lol. Only been to Naples once, a couple of years ago, but recall liking Sail (seafood) and Osteria Tula (Italian). Enjoy.

https://floridatrippers.com/restaurants-in-naples/

Listen, snowglobe dude, if you can't handle the heat, stay out of Naple's kitchen. Some people like hot fun in the summertime. BTW, I'm with ya! 😂 We avoid Arizona mid June through mid August, although it is monsoon season right now and cool to see all the rain in the desert.

To OP, our friend's place is within walking distance to Tigertail Beach. We spent 9 days there in February and did not go to the beach once. 🤷‍♂️

Food on Marco:
Mango's Dockside Bistro for lunch/breakfast

We really liked Crabby Lady Goodland for laid back fresh seafood. Goodland is a hoot.

Not sure if your wife and daughter will be into it, but the Revs Institute was a really cool auto museum with all sorts of historical autos on display.

@Mr_Twister knows Marco Island really well.

 

[Mr_Twister]

Our favorite seafood spot in southwest Florida is Swan River in Naples. if you want to eat the freshest possible fish on Marco Island, do lunch or dinner at no-frills hole-in-the-wall Leebe Fish, a cash only place that sells only what the owner catches. When they run out they close up. Little Bar in Goodland and, if you drive a bit, waterfront Everglades City eateries, serve amazing local catch fish, too.
if you love oysters, Swan River has them from all over the map. Order oysters from cold water areas, not Florida and southern states oysters.
Get to the beach … Marco Island Beach is gorgeous. Go to the public beach at the south end of the island in front of the Sunset Grille.
The beachfront Sunset Grille is an amazing place during the NCAA Big Dance. The last 5 years or so I’ve watched games sitting bar side with a St. Bonaventure teammate of Bob Lanier. Packed with Big Ten fans and college hoops aficionados.

Leebe Fish Restaurant and Seafood Market

www.leebefish.com

 

[e5fdny]

Good idea for the Everglades City places. Very fresh and tasty.

Air Boat rides there are neat too.

Also fun to see how many gators you can count on the way there and back on 41.

 

[newell138]

Fast ferry to Key West.

I was looking at this recently for our trip to Marco Island this winter and unless you plan to spend the night in Key West I don't think thats a great idea. Its a 3 hour plus trip and you need to board 30 minutes prior to departure. Based upon the departure times, at most you'd be able to spend about 4 hours in Key West and with ticket prices at $150 per person.... Besides Key West in August is kind of hot, although if you are going to Marco Island in August I'm guessing that doesn't matter. Nothing like a dip in the 90 degree Gulf waters to cool you off!

 

[ManasquanMike]

Jet Boat in Tin City if it’s still there after the hurricane(s).

Tin city is gone

 

[newell138]

Our favorite seafood spot in southwest Florida is Swan River in Naples. if you want to eat the freshest possible fish on Marco Island, do lunch or dinner at no-frills hole-in-the-wall Leebe Fish, a cash only place that sells only what the owner catches. When they run out they close up. Little Bar in Goodland and, if you drive a bit, waterfront Everglades City eateries, serve amazing local catch fish, too.
if you love oysters, Swan River has them from all over the map. Order oysters from cold water areas, not Florida and southern states oysters.
Get to the beach … Marco Island Beach is gorgeous. Go to the public beach at the south end of the island in front of the Sunset Grille.
The beachfront Sunset Grille is an amazing place during the NCAA Big Dance. The last 5 years or so I’ve watched games sitting bar side with a St. Bonaventure teammate of Bob Lanier. Packed with Big Ten fans and college hoops aficionados.

Leebe Fish Restaurant and Seafood Market

www.leebefish.com

thanks for the tips! We are going first last week of Feb and first week of March and staying at the Apollo where the Sunset Grill is located. First time visiting Marco.

 

[rurichdog]

Tin city is gone

Que? Tin City had a grand reopening in June...

 

[rurichdog]

Industry Beer & Barbeque
Lowbrow Pizza

 

[Knight Shift]

I was looking at this recently for our trip to Marco Island this winter and unless you plan to spend the night in Key West I don't think thats a great idea. Its a 3 hour plus trip and you need to board 30 minutes prior to departure. Based upon the departure times, at most you'd be able to spend about 4 hours in Key West and with ticket prices at $150 per person.... Besides Key West in August is kind of hot, although if you are going to Marco Island in August I'm guessing that doesn't matter. Nothing like a dip in the 90 degree Gulf waters to cool you off!

I guess that depends on what you want to get out of a visit and your budget. IIRC, we spent 4-5 hours there, and after about 3 hours, we had enough time there. Years ago we had hit all of the tourist stops like the southernmost point or whatever it is. We walked the streets, stopped in some bars and shops, had a couple of meals, and we were ready to go. We will probably go to Marco again in February, and we may do the same trip. The boat ride was fun. We were with another couple who are long time friends that we had not seen in a while, and we spent the entire rides back and forth catching up .

 

[fg7321]

Fin Bistro on Marco yum!

 

[Mr_Twister]

thanks for the tips! We are going first last week of Feb and first week of March and staying at the Apollo where the Sunset Grill is located. First time visiting Marco.

Great eating minutes away, off Marco island at slightly pricey Osteria Capri, at Isles of Capri. Waterfront dining, wonderful chef and menu and wait staff, gorgeous sunsets. Plenty of parking, and docking available if you arrive via boat.

 

[Mr_Twister]

The Sandbar in Marco Island’s tiny industrial area is where folks who work for a living drink & eat. It has a large bar and many TV screens. 40 years ago it was complete dive bar. It’s been cleaned up and made very presentable. Fun, few frills, hard place to find (use your GPS), ample parking, friendly crowd. You can’t go two seats at the bar without meeting a passionate Big Ten football and basketball fan. The Sandbar even serves breakfast!

 

[Mr_Twister]

Good idea for the Everglades City places. Very fresh and tasty.

Air Boat rides there are neat too.

Also fun to see how many gators you can count on the way there and back on 41.

If you enjoy eating fish, bring home fish and stone crabs from Everglades City, or eat at one of the multiple unpretentious waterfront eateries in Everglades City. I love stone crabs but, like $3-and-up oysters, the price removes my yen for them.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Heading down today. I know a bunch of you have been. Anyone have reco's for things to do? We're staying at South Seas on Tigertail beach. Any advice on

Restaurants
Water sports (Waverunners / parasailing / banana boat)
Fishing charters
Regular boat tours

Wife and 8 year old daughter do not want to sit on beach all day. TIA!

let me google that for you...

I don't know Naples but that link looks like you'll have a lot of kid-friendly options.. enjoy!

I did check the red tide map for that area.. looks good.. NOT PRESENT

https://myfwc.com/media/32103/swmap0811.pdf

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

let me google that for you...

I don't know Naples but that link looks like you'll have a lot of kid-friendly options.. enjoy!

I did check the red tide map for that area.. looks good.. NOT PRESENT

https://myfwc.com/media/32103/swmap0811.pdf

Red tide not an issue now

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

We hit up my personal favorite Davide last night, the small Italian cafe/restaurant on Collier Blvd. I love the layout as you can see the kitchen to your left while eating and it feels like you're in your kitchen at home

Great food and the owner Davide is the best. I'm short but I tower of him lol. He came over and started speaking Italian to my daughter, truly a gentleman.

The Lemonciello was spot on, and the grilled chicken was legit.

After that we took a ride to 5th Avenue. Told my wife we should have stayed there (Inn on 5th is great), as Tin City is right there, Mercato not far, and 5th in general is a site to behold, esepcially at night with the lights on the trees

Though crazy wealthy, it's classy and you don't get that show off, pretentious (among other things) South Beach vibe. The houses there are real deal.

Everytime we're there, I ask my wife what these people do for work (and if they're hiring). My attention then turns to NIL and trying to get them to donate lol

Took a walk on the beach, and one of the cooler things was my daughter seeing the big houses and being amazed. It's a great life lesson about setting goals, working hard, etc. and you can accomplish anything.

 

[Mr_Twister]

Davide’s is a good spot. The owner looks like he could have been a jockey.
if you want a Rutgers eating connection on Marco Island, try Sami’s on Collier Boulevard. Sami is a Rutgers grad.

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

Davide’s is a good spot. The owner looks like he could have been a jockey.
if you want a Rutgers eating connection on Marco Island, try Sami’s on Collier Boulevard. Sami is a Rutgers grad.

Nice! I will definitely do that
My daughter has her Rutgers sweatshirt so I'll have her brave the heat and rock it inside!

 

[Mr_Twister]

The South Seas Club on Marco Island and its 4 communities is a terrific place. On the beach, swimming pools, walking distance to decent eateries, covered parking, docks for boating & fishing folks, tennis & pickle ball & bocce, gated entrance. HOA covers absolutely everything but the monthly electric bill — includes cable, internet, water, sewer, landscaping, garbage & recycling, recreation facilities, parking, you name it.

 

[T2Kplus20]

Naples in August? Every day will have a heat index between 105 and 110F and you'll be praying for t-storms to provide a little relief. When I visit my dad in the summer in Vero, my primary goal is ensuring the AC is working properly, lol. Only been to Naples once, a couple of years ago, but recall liking Sail (seafood) and Osteria Tula (Italian). Enjoy.

https://floridatrippers.com/restaurants-in-naples/

Gotta agree with Numbers on this one. He's not right often, but hit the nail on the head here.

As for local restaurants, amazing place in Old Naples:

Campiello Naples Italian Restaurant | Campiello | Italian Restaurant | Naples Restaurant | Downtown Restaurants | Private Parties | Catering | Award Winning

Campiello is an award-winning Italian restaurant located on Third Street South, Naples Florida offering lunch, dinner, happy hour, wines lists, and cocktails. Named “Best Italian Restaurant” by Naples Illustrated and “Best Outdoor Dining” by OpenTable.

campiellonaples.com

 

[e5fdny]

As for local restaurants, amazing place in Old Naples:

Campiello Naples Italian Restaurant | Campiello | Italian Restaurant | Naples Restaurant | Downtown Restaurants | Private Parties | Catering | Award Winning

Campiello is an award-winning Italian restaurant located on Third Street South, Naples Florida offering lunch, dinner, happy hour, wines lists, and cocktails. Named “Best Italian Restaurant” by Naples Illustrated and “Best Outdoor Dining” by OpenTable.

campiellonaples.com

I like this one too...

Home - Ridgway Bar and Grill

Ridgway Bar & Grill is a locally-owned, chef-owned restaurant in Old Naples, on 13th Avenue South just west of Third Street South.

www.ridgwaybarandgrill.com

 

[T2Kplus20]

I like this one too...

Home - Ridgway Bar and Grill

Ridgway Bar & Grill is a locally-owned, chef-owned restaurant in Old Naples, on 13th Avenue South just west of Third Street South.

www.ridgwaybarandgrill.com

Looks good! We will try it next time down in Naples.

 

[RU4Real]

Everyone should visit there before it's gone.

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

The South Seas Club on Marco Island and its 4 communities is a terrific place. On the beach, swimming pools, walking distance to decent eateries, covered parking, docks for boating & fishing folks, tennis & pickle ball & bocce, gated entrance. HOA covers absolutely everything but the monthly electric bill — includes cable, internet, water, sewer, landscaping, garbage & recycling, recreation facilities, parking, you name it.

We're staying at South Seas. Nice place, but thinkign we shold have opted for the JW instead

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

Gotta agree with Numbers on this one. He's not right often, but hit the nail on the head here.

As for local restaurants, amazing place in Old Naples:

Campiello Naples Italian Restaurant | Campiello | Italian Restaurant | Naples Restaurant | Downtown Restaurants | Private Parties | Catering | Award Winning

Campiello is an award-winning Italian restaurant located on Third Street South, Naples Florida offering lunch, dinner, happy hour, wines lists, and cocktails. Named “Best Italian Restaurant” by Naples Illustrated and “Best Outdoor Dining” by OpenTable.

campiellonaples.com

Key is to get to the beach early
We usually start around 10 and end by 230
Water is great, and mix in some waverunners / other activieies, it's legit
Then chill out on the msg board for a bit before napping and grabbing dinner

 

[Mr_Twister]

We're staying at South Seas. Nice place, but thinkign we shold have opted for the JW instead

Two different entities — rental vs. high end hotel. JW is as good as it gets. Every possible amenity. Top end. You are also at South Seas at the slowest time of the year. Often at this time of the year many of the tenants are folks visiting from the southern hemisphere.

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

Two different entities — rental vs. high end hotel. JW is as good as it gets. Every possible amenity. Top end. You are also at South Seas at the slowest time of the year. Often at this time of the year many of the tenants are folks visiting from the southern hemisphere.

We like the fact that it's not crowded
Pool and beach essentially to ourselves

South Seas also has much bigger units, whereas the JW would be a single room
Harder to chill out at JW after the beach w/3 people in one room, vs. a condo with 2 bedrooms, kitchen, living room, etc.

Like Marco a lot though - super calm
Wife prefers 5th Ave, so might stay down there next time

Either way, all first world problems and beats working!

 

[Mr_Twister]

It sounds like we have the makings of a group to gather on Marco Island to watch Rutgers hoops and football. Sami’s on Collier Avenue owner (Sami) would love to host Rutgers groups. I am not a Rutgers grad but a northern NJ native and long-time Morris County resident. In winter season (January through March), Marco is getting very expensive as a rental destination. Lots of folks who rented at Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach, areas decimated by the last hurricane, have adopted Marco Island. Marco Island has an amazing number of Big Ten folks who winter there. Particularly Michigan State and Wisconsin and Ohio State and Iowa fans.

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

We're staying at TigerTail beach, from our condo at South Seas it's a bit of a walk which we did yesterday to the actual water.

Prior to that we went to the JW beach and pools - nice scene, rooms are crazy pricey even in the off season

Dinner wise we went to Brie and Molto on 5th. Tonight likely hit the French spot. Wife and daughter both really like that area and prefer to eat there even though it's 25 minutes away

Doing gator tour on airboat today and dolphin tour tomorrow.

Good thing is wife really likes this area and would like to move here. Bad news is her interest in Tallahassee is minimal at best!

 

[Knight Shift]

We're staying at TigerTail beach, from our condo at South Seas it's a bit of a walk which we did yesterday to the actual water.

Prior to that we went to the JW beach and pools - nice scene, rooms are crazy pricey even in the off season

Dinner wise we went to Brie and Molto on 5th. Tonight likely hit the French spot. Wife and daughter both really like that area and prefer to eat there even though it's 25 minutes away

Doing gator tour on airboat today and dolphin tour tomorrow.

Good thing is wife really likes this area and would like to move here. Bad news is her interest in Tallahassee is minimal at best!

Smart woman.

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

Smart woman.

She's set in her ways
Not worth the arguement!

 

[Knight Shift]

She's set in her ways
Not worth the arguement!

Just texted my friend with the house within walking distance of Tigertail Beach, and he's on to all of the places listed here, except Sami's. Planning our winter trip to visit and hit some of these spots.

Did you check out Rev's Institute? The wives really enjoyed this a lot. You need reservations.

Revs Institute - Preserving the Future of the Past

A not-for-profit, working museum and library regarded as one of the greatest car museums and sources of automobile knowledge in the world.

revsinstitute.org

 

[RU4Real]

I was born in central FL. Spent a lot of my life, growing up, there.

I am completely mystified by the people who are so anxious to move to the southern Gulf Coast.

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

I was born in central FL. Spent a lot of my life, growing up, there.

I am completely mystified by the people who are so anxious to move to the southern Gulf Coast.

With all due respect, Central FL and SW FL are two completely different animals
Sans job, family issues, Disney or being a die hard Magic, Orlando City or UCF fan, I'm not sure why anyone would move there

 

[RU4Real]

With all due respect, Central FL and SW FL are two completely different animals
Sans job, family issues, Disney or being a die hard Magic, Orlando City or UCF fan, I'm not sure why anyone would move there

Nor am I. That wasn't my point - I wasn't trying to draw some comparison between the two.

All of Florida pretty much sucks, but the SW coast sucks hotter and is much more on borrowed time.

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

Nor am I. That wasn't my point - I wasn't trying to draw some comparison between the two.

All of Florida pretty much sucks, but the SW coast sucks hotter and is much more on borrowed time.

You said you're mystified why anyone would move to the Naples area - I simply stated why I don't understand why anyone would move to Central FL

SW Florida has a lot going on. Fishing, boating, golf, tennis, pickleball, 2 spring training teams, numerous college clubs for game watching parties (Rutgers, UF, FSU, many B1G), a lot of NE transplants, nice as hell, great restaurants, some of the best beaches in the world, etc.

To your point though, it's definitely hot. No two ways about it. I don't see how anyone lives here without a pool. Especially when people from the NE move down and have the means to get one.