Things to Do in Marco

Helmed by U.S. Coast Guard–certified captains—each with at least 10 years' experience navigating the waterways of 10,000 Islands—Double R's fleet of seafaring skiffs ushers visitors along fishing charters, eco tours, and manatee-watching jaunts. Exploring an ecosystem rich with diverse wildlife inside the United States' largest mangrove jungle, guides point out manatees, tropical birds, alligators, and Swamp Thing's collection of Swamp Thing memorabilia. Fishing charters explore the complex systems of swamps and estuaries home to tarpon, snook, redfish, and grouper, while fishing guides provide their years of experience in angling from exceptionally maintained vessels in rich waters.

Oasis Yacht Club and Boat Rentals employs friendly staffers who contribute to their community by getting friends, neighbors, and tourists to explore the local waterways via pontoons, kayaks, and fishing charters. The staff can accommodate almost any request, such as customizing cruises to stop along the beach for some shelling. All their charter vessels boast stereos with CD players, and upon request, the crew can load up the boat with refreshments, sunblock, and whale repellent. Oasis Yacht Club also replaces their boats once every year and a half to ensure their equipment is in top shape. On fishing trips, they rent out rods and reels and teach guests basic fishing and boating skills while dishing out information on secluded fishing spots. At the onsite ship store, boaters can stock up on hats, tackle, and gear to prepare for any tours or voyages.

Reel Kind Fishing charters boats on which adventurers explore backwater wetlands, protected freshwater, and saltwater regions that are home to diverse marine life. Along with licensed and experienced captains, the company supplies rods, reels, tackle, and bait, ensuring that even novice fishers can participate. Tour-takers might nab snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, and tarpon, the four of which can be housed together in a jumbo aquarium for a fish reality show, as long as a sassy blowfish joins the mix. Each boat seats up to three people for half-days, three-quarter days, or full days, with the vessels heading either inshore or offshore near the Gulf of Mexico. Explorers might bring a hat, sunglasses, snacks, and jackets, according to the weather, and smocks depending on how neatly their co-tourists can eat.

Captain Nate Maynard may just as well have been born on a boat. Growing up in South Florida, he spent much of his youth studying the waters off Pine Island Sound, Charlotte Harbor, and Matlacha and San Carlos Passes, learning the patterns of the prized catches lurking beneath. As he got older, Maynard tested his expertise by entering the tournament scene, refining his approach for fishing the area’s expansive shallow flats, bays, and outer-island passes.

With Lip’em N Grip’em Fishing Charters, Maynard imparts his knowledge to all levels of anglers during guided outings. Supplying all equipment and preferring live bait such as pinfish and shrimp—but willing to use artificial lures based on the availability of live bait and clients’ preferences—the captain leads parties on fishing excursions for hauls of South Florida’s many species, including redfish, snook, and trout. For fisherman seeking bigger trophies, Maynard motors his 22-foot, 225 horse-power Sterling boat toward waters home to tarpon, shark, and flounder shaped like Academy Awards.

Captain Maynard operates by a “no fish, no pay” policy to demonstrate his integrity toward clients. In addition to guiding, he also takes guests on sunset cruises and wildlife excursions such as dolphin and manatee tours.:m]]

A windswept canopy of palm trees and tiki huts cast shadows over Golf Safari’s 18-hole mini-golf course, where putters explore a safari-themed pastiche of life-sized lion statues, jungly gardens, and misting waterfalls. Built upon a foundation of rocky outcrops, the emerald passageways swerve among the hooves of zebra sculptures, pretend giraffes, and real-life goat-human hybrids. Sprightly flowers and ponds dotted with lily pads greet putt-putt posses along the way, providing a tranquil contrast to pressure-packed putts. With each hole in one, players gain a lifetime of bragging rights against their competitors, as well as the eternal friendship of George T. Gorilla, the course’s primate mascot.

Inside Naples Segway Tours' large showroom, three models of the upright vehicle wait patiently to catch the eye of a new owner. Assisting them in their quest are knowledgeable salespeople who can quickly run down the specs and benefits of each model for interested customers. Apart from their work on the sales floor, the team leads guided Segway tours of Naples' most attractive highlights and ugliest construction zones.