Marco Island is surely the closest thing to a Caribbean Island experience in the United States. Serenely tropical, its beautiful white sand beach stretches for four miles along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline. Four beachfront resorts provide endless opportunities for island-style relaxation and fun. A unique selection of smaller hotels and inns, combined with hundreds of homes and condos in the area's vacation rental program, provide unlimited options for your Marco Island getaway. Relax on the sun-kissed shores and you're likely to glimpse the sleek antics of dolphins in the sparkling Gulf. Colorful seashells are plentiful along the water's edge, offering irresistible souvenirs free for the taking. Boat to one of the numerous nearby outer islands and you'll find an astounding array of keepsake shells washed up daily by the Gulf currents. Sailing trips and rental boats are easily available to reach these shell-lined stretches of undisturbed island sand. Bird watchers delight as bald eagles and ospreys soar overhead in search of fish, while wood storks, roseate spoonbills, pelicans and many other species populate the surrounding mangrove islands and sand bars. Marco Island is the northernmost and largest of the Ten Thousand Islands, providing access to the unspoiled subtropical wilderness of the western waterways of the Everglades. Anglers and nature lovers find endless areas to explore and enjoy the beautiful and diverse natural environment. Fish for tarpon, snook and redfish in the mangrove backcountry, or kayak between uninhabited islands and spot dolphin, manatee, sea turtles and other wildlife. Aside from its natural wonders, Marco Island offers plenty of shopping, dining and recreational options. In Olde Marco, boutiques and restaurants mix with historic buildings. Restaurants specializing in every conceivable type of cuisine, from international dishes to Florida's signature fresh seafood, abound throughout the island. Golfers will delight in the many nearby courses, which can accommodate everyone from beginners to the seasoned pro. At Marco Island not only are you beachside, you are at the western gateway to the Everglades. Everglades day tours make a great side trip in nearby Everglades City or Chokoloskee, with stops at Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park and Collier-Seminole State Park. Arrive at sunset and you'll quickly understand why this lovely six-by-four-mile (9½-by-6½-km) island is a vacation paradise. With alluring natural beauty and a toned-down sophistication, Marco Island is one of Florida's more relaxing topical vacation retreats.