Set amid the splendor of a lush natural environment, Marco Island is surrounded by Mother Nature's treasures. From the skies above to the waters below, local plant life and wildlife abound, and there is plenty of opportunity to explore and enjoy.

In addition to world-renowned bird life that extends from the beaches into a breathtaking array of inland wading and migratory varieties, there are frolicking dolphin, gentle manatee, and abundant fish species throughout local waters. Moreover, the Marco Island area is also home to outstanding national and state parks as well as excellent nature centers.

Everglades National Park
Spanning more than 1.5 million acres, Everglades National Park teems with natural wonders unlike any other ecosystem in the world. Explore native sawgrass prairies, mangrove and cypress swamps, pinelands and hardwood hammocks, as well as marine and estuarine environments. Marvel at the Everglades' incredible bird life, particularly large wading birds such as the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, great blue heron and more. The park is also home to the endangered Florida Panther.
Phone: 305-242-7700

Big Cypress National Preserve
An important watershed area for Everglades National Park, the Big Cypress National Preserve encompasses nearly 730,000 acres of Florida wilderness composed of a fascinating range of native plant and animal life, including pine hammocks, hardwoods and prairies mixed with palm trees, mangrove and orchids. White-tailed deer, bear and Florida Panther can also be found in the Big Cypress Preserve. Phone: 239-695-2000