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Spotting Dolphins and Manatees in Naples and Marco Island

The Gulf waters around Naples and Marco Island, Florida are teeming with amazing marine life. Visitors and residents can book a wildlife tour with local tour operators for an up close and personal visit with some of them. 

Where to See Bottlenose Dolphins in Naples and Marco Island, Florida

One of the Paradise Coast’s most popular marine residents is the bottlenose dolphin. Arguably one of the most playful and intelligent creatures on the planet, dolphins can often be seen swimming alongside Naples and Marco Island sightseeing tours. Bottlenose dolphins can also be spotted from the beach where they cruise close to shore to fish. Dolphins are social mammals and usually live in groups or pods of up to 30, although pods of have been recorded of more than 1,000! 

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Check out these operators for an opportunity to see bottlenose dolphins: Cool Beans CruisesPure Florida Sightseeing and Sunset CruisesRookery Bay Environmental Learning Center Eco-Cruises and Kayak Toursand Marco Island Water Sports Dolphin, Shelling, and Wildlife Cruises.

Where to See a Manatee in Naples and Marco Island, Florida

Photo credit Bree Silhavy

Another of Naples and Marco Island’s favorite wildlife inhabitants is the West Indian manatee. Known as sea cows, manatees love the warm shallow waters around Southwest Florida. These gentle marine animals can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh as much as 1,200 pounds. Manatees are plant eaters, and an adult will normally consume up to 10 percent of its body weight per day – that is over 100 lbs. of vegetation! A cruise or kayak trip is a great way to view these amazing gentle giants. 

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Check out these operators for an opportunity to see a manatee: Naples Kayak CompanyManatee Eco-ToursRookery Bay Environmental Learning Center Eco-Cruises and Kayak Tours, Conservancy of Southwest Floridaand Marco Island Watersports Wildlife Cruises.

An encounter with a manatee or dolphin is sure to be one of the highlights of your Naples and Marco Island, Florida vacation. 

Explore all there is to see and do in Naples and Marco Island.

Written by:

Nita Ettinger is Co-publisher for Siesta Publications Inc. and the Editor in Chief for Must Do Visitor Guides. Must Do Visitor Guides provides Southwest Florida visitor information through printed magazines and the website MustDo.com. Must Do magazines are published bi-annually and are available at no cost in Sarasota, Lee, and Collier County Chamber of Commerce, visitor information centers, select Southwest Florida hotels, and wherever free publications can be found.