Discover Naples & Marco Island by Boat

A woman and a man carry a kayak through the Everglades.

With miles of unspoiled beaches, multiple marinas and launches, and the legendary Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands on its doorstep, Florida’s Paradise Coast gives boaters of every stripe an endless variety of ways to spend time on the water.

Here are just a few of your options. Just remember to pay attention to the tides and bring along a navigational chart to make the most of your day on these endless waters.

Secluded Beaches

Naples, Marco Island, and the Everglades have some of the country’s most beautiful, unspoiled beaches, many located on islands accessible only by boat. Keewaydin Beach is one example. Located at the southern tip of 8-mile-long Keewaydin Island, the beach offers outstanding shelling, swimming, and wildlife watching. Visitors can reach the island via rental boats. It’s a popular stopover for sightseeing tours.

An aerial view of 10,000 Islands shows a beach area surrounded by lush mangroves.

10,000 Islands offers natural beauty for visitors.

Fantastic Fishing

Tidal creeks and mangrove forests create some of the nation’s greatest fishing. Legendary Florida gamefish like snook, tarpon, redfish and more are waiting in the shallows, ready to give you an unforgettable fight. Trout, pompano, ladyfish and flounder can be found in the flats. Charter a trip or rent a boat for the day to cast your line and (hopefully) catch your lunch – just be sure to get your Florida fishing license ahead
of time.

A boat sits in the water with trees in the background as two people fish from the boat.

Fishing is extra relaxing on The Paradise Coast.

Endless Wilderness

Florida’s Paradise Coast is the gateway to Ten Thousand islands, the northwestern corner of the Everglades. This seemingly endless maze of protected mangrove islands includes hidden beaches and quiet corners where visitors can commune with nature – and maybe even catch sight of a manatee or dolphin swimming alongside.

A couple sits on a boat in the ocean with the sun setting in the background.

Catch a gorgeous sunset on Florida's Paradise Coast.

Paddling Paths

Leave the motor behind and explore Florida’s Paradise Coast by paddle power. Rent a kayak or paddleboard (or bring your own) to discover the region’s waterways in a whole new way. You’ll be able to slip quietly through the shallows of mangrove forests and see the local wildlife up close. You can even try your hand at fishing from your paddlecraft. Whether your boat is self-propelled or paddle-powered, you’ll find plenty of ways to enjoy a day on the water in paradise.

A woman kayaks down a water path in the mangroves of the Everglades.

Find your own path in the Everglades.