The Best Spring Break Family Vacation - Marco Island
If your family wants sun, soft sand, and that truly private island feeling you need to go to Marco Island. This Florida Gulf Coast spot feels relaxed but has lots for kids. Watch dolphins before lunch, hunt for shells like treasure, and some of the best sunsets we have ever seen! This is not just another beach vacation - it is truly a getaway.
The beaches are calm, kid friendly and the Gulf waters are warm, shallow, and gentle—perfect for toddlers who want to splash and bigger kids learning to swim. The sand is soft and beautiful so you can set up camp for the whole day without battling rough waves or crowded boardwalks. We LOVE Marco Island for so many reasons - but one of the major reasons is the calm, quant island vibes. We love any place whereto don’t have to drag your kids in and out of a car just to go down the street. You can walk or bike around the island, depending on where you are based - You will need a car to get here though.
Day 1
Morning/Afternoon
Arrive and check in to your hotel, resort, or rental. Great family picks:
JW Marriott Marco Island Resort - best full-service family resort with an AMAZING arcade for kids & adults - we stayed the first half of our trip. Then we came back here multiple times for the beach access, arcade and the restaurants.
Vacation rental near Tigertail Beach- we’ve stayed here and LOVED the house and the location.
Spend the afternoon at Tigertail Beach. It’s perfect for families with its shallow waters, shells, and playground. You can rent kayaks, paddleboards, and cabanas here if you want but it is a public beach
Evening
Dinner: La Mesa Taqueria - cute and casual Mexican eatery with open air doors (reservation not needed)
Take a sunset walk on the beach — Marco Island’s west-facing beaches are famous for the sunsets
Day 2
Morning
Send the morning relaxing by the pool if in a hotel or rental that has one. My kids favorite thing to do on a beach vacation is just swim for a few hours so I always make sure not to over plan and have some time set aside for this.
Optional: Visit Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (15 min away).
Explore the kid-friendly nature center with aquariums and hands-on exhibits.
Afternoon
Rent bikes and bike around the island. Marco Island is small and most things can be reached by riding bikes, We stopped at some beach stores, went to the local playground and got ice cream.
Evening
Dinner: CJ’s on the Bay — great marina views with a wide variety menu. (You can make a reservation but not required, recommended during busy season).
Optional night activity: Mini golf at Marco Golf and Garden - beautiful tropical course
Day 3
Full Day
Rent a boat and take a day trip to the secret island - Keewaydin Island. This can only be reached by boat and is the most gorgeous hidden gem
kids love spotting dolphins along the way. Great place for shelling and bird watching
They have lots of boats dock here that serve ice cream, snacks and alcoholic beverages
Cruise around/fish/etc
Pack pub subs and drinks ( we ate on the boat while guys were fishing)
Evening
Return to Marco Island. We docked at Snook Inn and had an early dinner. This is an iconic waterfront restaurant with chill vibes and great food. No Reservation needed.
Day 4
Morning
Spend the morning at your resort pool or your rental for a slow morning
Optional: Book a dolphin-watching cruise. They often combine shelling stops and are perfect for kids because they are only an hour or two. Don’t forget binoculars — dolphins, manatees, and birds everywhere.
Afternoon
Lunch at Mango’s Dockside Bistro - casual and waterfront
Then, visit Mackle Park — fantastic playground, splash pad, basketball courts, and a walking path around a lake.
Evening
Dinner: The Oyster Society - for early family-friendly seating
Optional: Sunset cruise — the most relaxing way to cap off the day.
Day 5
Morning
Early morning shelling at Tigertail Beach or Sand Dollar Spit - bring a mesh bag and water shoes — the shells here are incredible and you will find a few hidden gems. Let the kids play in the sand and water and burn some energy before you travel back home.
Eat at a local café like Red Rooster - great spot for breakfast/lunch
Afternoon
Last-minute souvenir shopping
Head home
FAQ
Q: Do we need to rent a car?
A: You’ll need a car — Marco Island is small but spread out. Plus getting here from any airport is at least an hour drive.
Q: What should we pack?
A: Sunscreen, hats, insect repellent, water shoes, and shelling bags.
Q: Is Marco Island family-friendly?
A: Yes! It is very family friendly. There are lots of activities to do and it’s good for all ages.
Q: Can you see Dolphins/Wildlife at Marco Island?
A: You’ll likely see lots of species of birds, sea turtles, dolphins, pelicans, and possibly manatees right from the beach.
Q: What is the best time to visit Marco Island?
A: Warm year-round — bring light clothes, swimsuits, and a light jacket for evenings. Always check the weather before your trip but even in the winter months the average temperature is still in the mid 70s.
Q: Are there kid-friendly activities beyond the beach?
A: Yes: Dolphin-spotting cruises, Kayaking, Eco-tours with shelling stops, Mini golf at Coral Cay & Visiting the Marco Island Historical Museum (FREE)
Q: Is the water safe for swimming?
A: Yes — water is typically calm and great for kids. Just check for occasional rip currents & red tide alerts (less common but worth checking)
Q: Is Marco Island expensive?
A: It can be. Food, rentals, and accommodations run on the higher side, especially from December–April. Visiting in shoulder seasons (May, October–November) gives lower prices & still great weather.
