Naples / Marco Island KOA

Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico's eastern, north, and northwestern shores lie along the US states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. This coastline spans 1,630 miles, receiving water from thirty-three major rivers that drain 31 states.

Marco Island

One of the oldest inhabited areas in the United States. Take the Marco Island Trolley for an overview of Marco Island, then return for an afternoon of golf. Picnic on the white-sand Tigertail Beach, or lunch aboard the paddle wheel cruise boat Rosie or at one of the island’s upscale resort hotels.

Everglades National Park

Spanning the southern tip of the Florida peninsula and most of Florida Bay, Everglades National Park is the only subtropical preserve in North America. It contains both temperate and tropical plant communities, including sawgrass prairies, mangrove and cypress swamps, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks, as well as marine and estuarine environments. The park is known for its rich bird life, particularly large wading birds, such as the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, great blue heron and a variety of egrets. It is also the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side. Boat tours are available year-round at Flamingo and Gulf Coast. For information and reservations, call Flamingo Lodge Boat Tours at 941-695-3101, or Everglades National Park Boat Tours at 941-695-2591.

Briggs Nature Center

A guided boat tour to nearby islands from the Brigg's Nature Center is a good introduction to manatee watching, Beach combing and shelling.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

At the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, you can stroll the boardwalk through a “river of trees”, the country’s largest remaining stand of virgin bald cypress trees, home of alligators, great egrets, white ibis and limpkins.

Tin City

The Naples Princess leaves several times daily for lunch- and dinner-cruises and tours of Naples Bay. Visit the Tin City waterfront for shopping, deep sea fishing, boardwalk and restaurants.

Big Cypress National Preserve

This 720,000 acre preserve is sure to amaze you! The freshwaters of Big Cypress Swamp support a mix of plants and a wide diversity of wildlife, including black bears, panthers and alligators. Enjoy hiking, canoeing, biking and camping. There are also scenic drives through the area. Open every day. No entrance fee. Located between Miami and Naples; the main roads through the site are I-75 and US Hwy. 41.

Naples Pier

Visit the Naples Pier website for information.

Everglades Excursion

Everglades Excursion/Trip into the backcountry that includes lunch at Everglades City. Don't just visit The Everglades . . . Experience it! Everglades Excursions departs Naples and Marco Island daily. You'll board a comfort-controlled "Safari Wagon," driven by one of our experienced guides. Your first stop will be in the heart of the Everglades, where you'll take a Jungle Cruise through the sawgrass prairies and mangrove wilderness. Many of our tours observe alligators and manatees, as well as encountering birds such as the Blue Heron, American Egret, Bald Eagle and Osprey.

Naples Zoo

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is a nationally accredited zoo and historic botanical garden featuring a full day of fun shows. Voted "Best Place to Take Kids" by Gulfshore Life magazine and Naples Daily News! See Hours & Admission.

Links of Naples Golf Course

Practice your swing at this 18–hole, par 61 executive golf course! Enjoy 4,000 yards of golf with pristine grounds and nicely manicured grass. The entire course is lit for play at night, too. Open every day until 11:00 p.m. There are green fees. Located in Naples.

Everglades Wonder Gardens

For 71 years, this has been a premier wildlife and botanical showplace! See the large collection of native and exotic birds, the botanical garden, live otter shows, alligator feedings and more. Visit “Big Joe,” the world’s largest American crocodile at 15-feet long and over 1,000 pounds! Open daily, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission is charged. Located in Bonita Springs, 10 miles north of Naples on Old US 41.

Island Shelling

The islands and sandbars in the Naples’ area are known for their large numbers of beautiful seashells. Go looking on your own or charter a tour boat; there are miles of white sandy beaches for you to explore. Collect sand dollars, starfish, conch and more! Be sure to take sun block and check the tide tables – the lower the tide the better.

Fishing

You couldn’t ask for a better location for fishing than southwest Florida. Go backcountry fishing in the calm waters of bays and creeks for snook, redfish, snapper, trout and tarpon. Enjoy offshore fishing in the Gulf of Mexico over wrecks and reefs for grouper, cobia, barracuda and even shark! Either use a guide service or go on your own, you won’t be disappointed.

Sunshine Tours

Enjoy a day of backcountry fishing, offshore fishing, island shelling or sightseeing with these charters and tours. There are also lunch, dinner and sunset cruises available. Sailing daily from Marco River Marina on Marco Island. Call 239-642-5415 for reservations. Admission is charged.

Princess Cruises

Take in the sights in style as you sail aboard an elegant yacht. The Naples Princess leaves from Port–O–Call Marina and cruises Naples Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The Marco Island Princess leaves from the Marco River Marina and cruises the Marco River and the Gulf of Mexico. There are daily public, lunch, sightseeing and sunset cruises! Call 239-649-2275 for Naples reservations and 239-642-5415 for Marco Island reservations.

Hike Florida

The Florida National Scenic Trail is 1,400 miles long and provides you with a unique hiking experience. The trail goes over both private and public lands, around Lake Okeechobee and through the most beautiful scenery. It begins in south Florida in the Big Cypress Preserve and loops through the entire state!

Gators and Crocs

The crocodilians in Florida’s wetlands have inspired fear and fascination through the ages! Crocodiles are grayish–green in color and have a tapered snout with an exposed fourth tooth on either side. They prefer saltwater and are more secretive and shy. Alligators are darker in color and have a broader snout. They prefer freshwater and are the more aggressive of the two. They can both live up to 35 years in the wild and are currently threatened by habitat loss.

Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

It means “a place to learn” and is a state–of–the–art facility on a 64-acre cypress swamp created to educate the public about the Seminole Tribe. View artifacts, silver work, dugout canoes and life–size dioramas depicting Seminole life! There is also a mile-long raised boardwalk through the swamp for you to enjoy. Open daily, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission is charged. Located in Clewiston; from Naples take I-75 S and CR833 N.

Seminole Casino

Try your luck down at the Seminole Casino! There are over 950 high paying gaming machines and 16 tables of live action poker for you to play. Enjoy fine dining and a full bar as well. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Located in Immokalee, 35 minutes from Naples on Hwy. 846.