Tigertail Beach

Northwest corner of Marco Island — the shell-hunter's beach, and the only Marco beach with a proper barrier-island setup. What used to be a spit is now Sand Dollar Island: a three-mile ribbon of wild sand separated from the mainland by Tigertail Lagoon, a shallow tidal flat you wade across at low tide. Lagoon side is calm and knee-deep, good for kids and wading birds — ospreys and roseate spoonbills work the flats. Sand Dollar Spit side faces the open Gulf and takes the shell wash: whelks, olive shells, sand dollars, scallops. The far tip is protected shorebird nesting; heed the ropes.

What to order

Come two hours before low tide with reef shoes for the lagoon crossing — Sand Dollar Spit is the shelling side and empties out at sunset. Parking $10/day non-residents; concession has kayak rentals.

Hours

Daily 8a–sundown