Public Beaches

Question

Hi All- I'm sure this has been posted before. Sanibel is not going to work out for us again this spring, and now we have spent so much time looking there, that there are no units left at Somerset either... anywho, if we rent a pool house, would still like to hit the beach, where are the public accesses? I have honestly not paid attention. I only have knowledge of the South Beach access. Honestly, I would prefer to stay away from that one(CRAZY!!)

We will be there the end of March.

Answer

Marco Island offers several public beach access points beyond the very busy South Beach, so you can enjoy sand and surf without the huge crowds. Most of the public accesses have parking lots, restrooms, and easy pathways to the beach, though some are smaller and less crowded than others.

Public Beach Access Points on Marco Island:

South Beach Access (Collier Blvd / Tigertail Beach) – The most famous and busiest; plenty of parking but crowded, especially on weekends. Includes picnic areas and restrooms.
Resident Beach Access – North End – Several smaller accesses along the north side of the island, generally quieter. Example: Park Shore Drive Access.
Jolly Bridge Beach Access – Located near the northern residential areas, often less crowded, easy parking, and direct beach access.
Hidden Harbor / Beach Access 2 & 3 – Off San Marco Road, good for quieter beach time and short walks from parking.
Esplanade / South Collier Blvd Access Points – Small public parking areas leading to beach walkways; usually quieter than South Beach proper.

Tips for visiting:

Arrive early if you want quieter spots, especially on weekends or holiday weeks in March.
Bring your own chairs, umbrellas, and beach gear as some smaller access points do not have rentals.
Check local signage as some “residents only” areas may restrict public parking.
Consider exploring Tigertail Beach at the north end of South Beach; it tends to be slightly less crowded than the main South Beach area.

Overall, if you want to avoid the “crazy” South Beach crowd, aim for northern or smaller access points, and plan for early morning or late afternoon beach visits to maximize space and comfort.

Public Beaches

More Marco Island Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions