While you could probably stick your head outside of your beachfront rental to see a bird or two poking around in the sand or nestling by the palms, there are definitely a few locales you should check out to see some birds.

We have reviewed the entire Island and found three top locations for bird watching near Marco Island.

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

The Rookery Bay Estuarine Reserve is great for multiple reasons. There’s simply so much to do. You can camp overnight. You can rent a kayak and patrol the waters. You could even join one of the weekly workshops for teachers, students, scientists, and even professionals-in-training. Most workshops and guided tours are open to the public during their scheduled times. You can even visit the seasonal Birding Basics class or the Birds of the Beach class which focuses on migratory birds.

If you can’t catch a workshop or tour, you can still explore on your own terms. The reserve is home to an observation bridge, which offers excellent bird watching. The bridge is discovered along the Snail Trail walking path. It is a popular site for heron and egrets, lounging along the banks below.

There are many natural sights and sounds near the Island. Don’t forget to review more of the island’s best and most accomplished nature preserves open year-round. These include Logan Woods, Caracara Prairie Preserve, Rivers Road Preserve, Redroot, and many more. Not all nature preserves are actually located on Marco Island, but they are all located in Collier County, which includes Naples.

Otter Mound Preserve

Few locations are as isolated and untouched as Otter Mound when it comes to bird watching near Marco Island. This preserve is located right on the southeast corner of Marco Island. Hidden away along the island’s fringe rests this adorable and isolated escape. It consists primarily of tropical hardwood hammocks. At least 57 different bird species have been sighted here officially, including the dazzling and grandiose Cooper’s hawk.

Otter Mound only has three parking spots. But it is not the most accessible or accommodating location on the island. There are no facilities and no water fountains, so this is definitely a prepared professional bird watching location. Families are not common here. The mulched trail is largely covered in shade, so you can spend plenty of time quietly scanning the hammocks.

Tigertail Beach Park

We can’t recommend Tigertail Beach enough. You can see more than 200 species at this incredible bird watching paradise. You need to cross a shallow lagoon to get to the beach proper. Once you do, you can scale seemingly miles north or south along the pristine and quiet beach. Most people collect near the lagoon, so you can easily escape any groups and find an isolated haven right by the water.

This location even has a handicap accessible observation tower with bird identification guides and scopes. You will be able to see many different species of birds including terns, plovers, and egrets. During the winter, peregrine falcons can be found as well as osprey, bald eagles, and pelicans. The lagoon and sandbar areas are designated as Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area, established to protect the nesting and foraging birds.

Amenities at Tigertail beach include a picnic area, a playground, and a concession stand offering beach equipment rentals, food, and drinks. Go fishing, rent a kayak, or paddleboard to explore the lagoon. Parking is $8 per vehicle for non-beach parking permit holders.

There is also a nice café right at the entrance to Tigertail Beach. It makes for a really welcoming stop before your afternoon beach adventure or after your early-morning bird exploring.

Dogs love birds (even if the birds don’t love the dogs). Be sure to review the dog rules for any of the above locations before you bring the furriest family member along for the trip. You can also review our Marco Island pet-friendly rentals to find the ideal fit for the whole family.

We can get you connected to the grand beaches, the fantastic family attractions, and the best dining along the Gulf of Mexico.

Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

The Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is considered one of the top birding sites in the entire United States with 13,000 acres of wilderness.

For Marco Island bird watching here, you can catch a glimpse of the iconic Wood Stork in its natural habitat, or look for the majestic Bald Eagle, the tiny Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, or the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck as well during your adventure. 

From Marco Island, the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is an easy 50-minute drive with only a few turns from North Collier Boulevard. The Sanctuary also offers bus parking if you prefer to book your visit with a larger tour group. 

To visit the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, you can schedule a tour or show up for a self-guided experience. General admission is $14 a person for adults, while children under the age of 8 are free. 

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and an important habitat for various rare and endangered species. You have the chance to see a wide variety of plants, animals, and birds that live in or migrate through the Everglades. 

Sixteen different species of wading birds call the Everglades their home. These birds, like the wood stork, have long legs to allow them to easily wade into the water to catch their food. Other wading birds you may encounter in the Everglades are the green-backed heron, great blue heron, snowy egret, or the colorful roseate spoonbill. 

The Everglades National Park is one of the only places in the United State where you can catch a glimpse of so many federally endangered and threatened birds, such as the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow, Snail Kite, Arctic Peregrine Falcon, Wood Stork, and the Piping Plover. 

The Everglades National Park is a quick 38-minute drive from Marco Island. Most of the drive is on US 41 S, which runs along the Gulf coast, giving you a beautiful and scenic route to your destination. If you are staying at one of the many Marco Island Rentals, some offer shuttles to the Everglades for small groups. 

The Everglades National Park is one of the only places in the United State where you can catch a glimpse of so many federally endangered and threatened birds, such as the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow, Snail Kite, Arctic Peregrine Falcon, Wood Stork, and the Piping Plover. 

The Everglades National Park is a quick 38-minute drive from Marco Island. Most of the drive is on US 41 S, which runs along the Gulf coast, giving you a beautiful and scenic route to your destination. If you are staying at one of the many Marco Island Rentals, some offer shuttles to the Everglades for small groups. 

The Homestead and Gulf Coast Area entrances to the Everglades National Park are open 24 hours a day, while the Shark Valley Area entrance is open from 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. All entrances collect an entrance fee which depends on the vehicle type or the number of people if you are on a cycle. You can access the visitor center from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the state of Florida.  It is also the home of some rare and magnificent species of birds that people travel from all over to see. 

Perhaps the most interesting and unique bird you will see while birdwatching in Marco Island is the Florida scrub-jay. This is the state’s only endemic bird and is currently on the list of threatened species. You can choose to explore the beaches and birdwatch at the same time! Birds like the plover and the sanderling are shorebirds and can be seen while walking the beach if you look carefully.

Getting to Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park from Marco Island is a breeze. Just take North Collier Boulevard and I-75 N almost the whole way there for about an hour-long drive. The park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown every single day. Entrance fees are $6 per vehicle, giving you access to a wide array of tours and activities throughout the park. 

Bird Watching Tips

The two most important things to remember when bird watching are to be as quiet as possible and to avoid any sudden movements. It’s not hard to scare a bird away, so you need to be smooth, slow, and quiet.

Typically, the sound of one calling bird will lead you to an entire flock. Follow the sound of a single songbird and you may be pleasantly surprised to stumble upon a whole flock. 

Explore with the sun at your back. It may not always be possible, but this simple maneuver will make it much easier to locate and identify birds.

Lastly, be patient! You may not find great success every birdwatching outing, and that is to be expected. Practice your skills and be patient and you will find more and more birds each time. 

Where to Stay

When it comes to somewhere to stay for your visit to Marco Island, we can help you find the best waterfront Marco Island rentals.  Just contact us to get started!