The sand here is white and like quicksand, so soft. Best time to go is early in the morning or…read moreafter 3pm otherwise impossible to find parking. You can walk through the inlet (in water - if youre under 5'8" youre going to get more than your legs wet) and then over to the beach...if you walk north, its less busy and you feel like youre on your own remote beach. Its not a deep beach so in areas near parking it can get crowded, but if youre up for a walk, its worth it!

We went to Tigertail Beach on Thursday at the suggestion of some friends…read more Be prepared for nearly a half mile walk from the parking lot to the ocean. And if you are walking barefoot, the beach is very shelly, not the white soft sands and some of the other beaches we visited in the area. If I was hunting for seashells, this might be a good beach, but I probably wouldn't come back just for a beach day. Between the long walk and lack of bathroom facilities or food nearby, I would pass.

They are redoing the walkway/ the walk isn't open it will be very nice when it's finished!read more

Today we did the extra activity on our list, driving to Shell Island Road and walking the…read moreboardwalk. Rain was threatening, but we took the chance, and we enjoyed it. The walk is a half mile long through several ecosystems. Signs tell you about the areas. The walk is easy, and on a sunny day you'll want sunscreen and a hat. You can walk quickly and get your steps in going around several times. Or you can stroll looking for animals. The boardwalk is well maintained as you can see that boards are being replaced. This is a place you can bring the family, and come anytime during the waking hours. Except for about 25 yards of a sandy trail, the boardwalk is handicapped accessible.

Jenny was fantastic. From the minute we met her she made us feel comfortable and even more excited…read morefor the kayak tour. She's been giving tours a long time, and it shows in the best way possible. She's incredibly knowledgeable about the area, and her love of the Everglades shows. Each mangrove cave we went in she pointed out unique attributes including plants and birds. Every animal she saw she not only pointed it out but helped us get great photos too. It was so special to see a crocodile! Jenny also brought us water and chocolate + came incredibly prepared with heavy-duty bug spray. Use it. And book with Jenny! It will be a top Everglades experience.

Jenny's kayak tours are fun and she will educate you with facts about birds, reptiles, fish and…read moreecology of the Everglades. We've done two other kayak tours in the past 3 years and Jenny's is by far the best! You'll learn so much about the Everglades and conservation efforts to protect this beautiful and delicate natural resource.

Very nice walk with lots of wildlife, mostly water birds. Trail is level and easy to walk. There…read moreis an observation tower to provide a wider view. I took lots of photos of water birds.

Nice place to come visit and come for a walk to take a look at the lakes and ponds. I came here…read morefor fishing but left disappointed. Would not recommend anyone here for fishing

What a wonderful morning with Dreamlander Tours! Capt Kieran was friendly, knowledgeable, and full…read moreof interesting stories about the area, wildlife, and local history. We saw manatees, dolphins, and found beautiful shells, making it an unforgettable experience. The pace was perfect, and we appreciated how much the captain shared while still allowing us to simply enjoy the beauty around us. This was one of the highlights of our Marco Island girls' trip, and we would absolutely recommend it to anyone visiting the area!

We had an excellent time with Kieran fishing yesterday. He is knowledgeable, patient, and helpful…read more This experience was worth it. We caught 20+ fish, all different kinds. Awesome morning!! Thank you.

Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is an amazing destination for history and nature lovers…read moreof all ages. The center sits within the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, which covers more than 110,000 acres of mangrove forests, upland habitats, and estuarine waters. In addition to board walks and hiking trail it has a two-story, 16,500-square-foot facility that combines research, education, art, and conservation. Start your visit inside the learning center where there is a 2,300-gallon mangrove aquarium with a sculpted 14-foot red mangrove tree. Another highlight is the touch tank where visitors can hold sea stars, horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, and more. There are also exhibits on local ecology and ongoing research in the estuary with emphasis on human impact on nature. A favorite stop on the first floor was the Palmetto Patch Nature Store which featured a variety of nature themed and local made gifts. They also sell water which you will need for a hike if you forgot to bring it. Proceeds from the store go to the Friends of Rookery Bay and their mission to provide resources for Rookery Bay Research Reserve's education, research, and conservation programs. Behind the center there are three half mile walking trails including a boardwalk over Henderson Creek. Thousands of years ago this was the home of the ancient Calusa people that thrived on seafood from the estuary. Although they are extinct you can still see the shell mounds they built. Several Calusa mound complexes are protected within the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve's 110,000 acres. From the observation bridge, you can sometimes spot manatees, tarpon, or even sharks. The trails also passes through native plants and historic sites like the remains of the pioneer settlement Little Marco that lay between Marco Island and Naples. The community was sparked by the Homestead act and pre dated the City of Naples. People lived off the estuary, catching fish, harvesting shellfish, and also growing small plots of winter vegetables. A historic cemetery remains near what is now known as Shell Island Road. The Rookery Bay Environmental Reserve is doing important ecological research and conservation while providing public education about coastal ecosystems, climate impacts, and habitat preservation. If you're a nature lover, looking for an inexpensive family friendly activity, or someone curious about coastal ecosystems, the environmental learning center is well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Awesome boat tour with two naturalists. We had a great time exploring a private island.read more

This State Park does a good job of dotting the " i's " and crossing the " t's ". There's hiking…read moretrails, camping, fishing, kayaking / canoeing, a pavilion, picnic tables, kiddies playground, and some interesting historical items. Admission is $5.00 per vehicle (maximum of 8 people), or $2.00 per person (pedestrians or bicyclists). I was on my motorcycle so I fell in the top category. I rode to the boat launch area first. This was a nice place to launch a boat or kayak. It was a protected bay like area. There was a floating boat dock nearby where one could fish from. In the same area as the boat launch was the hiking trail. It was closed (the park employee at the entrance had already told me) probably because of Hurricane Ian damages? Also the picnic and playground area was in this area. here. Restrooms are on site too. The next stop I visited while in the park was the historic Bay City Walking Dredge No. 489. This feat of engineering was used in the 1920's to help build the Tamiami Trail through the Florida Everglades. From the information provided, "Built in Bay City Michigan, this walking dredge followed the drilling and blasting rigs, averaging 80 feet per 10 hour shift. Dynamite was used to blast the limestone into small enough chunks for the dredge to lift." The road was completed, finally linking Tampa to Miami in 1928, with the help of this machine. For the mechanical and engineering nerds (like me), you'll want to see and read about this. Ha! I had a good time here and recommend you check this place out. I am going with 4 stars because the hiking trail was closed and the canoe rental cabin where one could also buy drinks was closed. Hopefully these will open in the near future.

I drove in to let my dog out for a pee real quick but I saw you gotta pay for this park so I turned…read moreright around:) I'm not paying for my dogs little walk. But maybe I'll come back one day for a planned visit