Hi there!
Tigertail Beach is one of the 2 main Marco Island beaches.
You will likely find it easier to find Marco Island beach parking at Tigertail Beach compared to South Marco Beach parking.
Once you are at the Tigertail Beach parking lot, there are 2 main ways to get to Tigertail Beach.
How to get to Tigertail Beach from the parking lot
1. Walk across the lagoon
2. Walk the sand trail
Tigertail Beach lagoon crossing
Tigertail Beach is also known as the Marco Island beach that you walk through (yes, THROUGH!) a lagoon to get to.
You may be walking through waist high water, and you’ll need to make sure you can carry all your beach gear with you.
π Tigertail Beach lagoon: One way to get to Tigertail Beach is a water crossing through a lagoon!
But don’t need to wade across the lagoon in order to go to Tigertail Beach!
π
How to get to Tigertail Beach without the lagoon crossing
You can also walk normally to Tigertail Beach without a lagoon crossing.
Well, as normal as a walk to the beach can get.
It’s a walk through sand.
Some people might consider it to be a long walk to get to Tigertail Beach the “normal” way.
While I have done a hike through water to get to a beach in Hawaii, I was not particularly feeling like walking through water to get to a beach this time.
Having been to many beaches in Florida, it really isn’t any longer of a walk (or not too much longer of a walk) than a popular Florida beach in which you have to park far away because the parking lot is full.
So I didnβt find the walk to Tigertail Beach to be that bad.
Maybe you will walk around 10 to 15 minutes from your car in the parking lot to the spot that you set up camp on Tigertail Beach.
There is a lot of walking through sand which means it’s more effort. (Walking through water in the lagoon is also more effort than simply walking!)
You’ll want to think about that as you consider what beach gear you want to bring and how you want to bring it.
Many people roll beach wagons through the sand with their beach gear.
But as you approach the beach⦠WOW!!!
The expansive white sand beach just looked really amazing! You don’t get this with the lagoon crossing… just saying!
How to get to Tigertail Beach from the parking lot, walking the normal way without the lagoon crossing
Here’s the quick list:
- For google maps, navigate to Tigertail Beach.
- Arrive at the Tigertail Beach parking lot!
- To walk to Tigertail Beach the normal way, continue driving far to the back of the parking lot.
- Go to the payment kiosk to pay for Tigertail Beach parking
- Walk the boardwalk to get to the sand trail
- Walk through the sand to get to Tigertail Beach!
- Arrive at Tigertail Beach!
- Enjoy Marco Island at Tigertail Beach!!!
1. For google maps, navigate to Tigertail Beach
Once you’re near, you’ll see signs along the way leading your to Tigertail Beach too.
2. Arrive at the Tigertail Beach parking lot!
3. To walk to Tigertail Beach the normal way, continue driving far to the back of the parking lot.
If you want to do the Tigertail Beach lagoon crossing, it’s better to look for a parking spot closer to the entrance, since this is the side of the lagoon.
4. Go to the payment kiosk to pay for Tigertail Beach parking
There is an entry station at the Tigertail Beach parking lot.
If it’s not staffed, then you will make your parking payment at the kiosk.
How much does Marco Island beach parking cost at Tigertail Beach?
Parking at Tigertail Beach is $10 for all-day parking.
π The cost of the Tigertail Beach parking fee is $10 for the day, as of April 2022.
Tigertail Beach parking lot bathroom
There is a bathroom at Tigertail Beach parking lot at both ends of the parking lot.
5. Walk the boardwalk to get to the sand trail
6. Walk through the sand to get to Tigertail Beach!
7. Arrive at Tigertail Beach!
WOW!!!
8. Enjoy Marco Island at Tigertail Beach!!!
Tigertail Beach is at the north end of Marco Island.
You can start your Marco Island beach walk in either direction once you get to the shoreline.
As you’re facing the water, to the left is to the south where you can walk to the other beaches.
To the right is where the lagoon beach goers will arrive on Tigertail Beach, and also where you’ll find more shells along with some dead beach trees on Marco Island.
You can really consider any of the shoreline to be Marco Island shelling beaches, but Tigertail Beach is known as the best beach for shelling on Marco Island.
π Florida shells! You can go shelling on Marco Island at Tigertail Beach.
π Map of where Tigertail Beach is located on Marco Island. It’s located on the northern side of Marco Island. Explore the map. Explore more things to do in Southwest Florida!
And that’s a bit about getting to Tigertail Beach!
Getting to more Marco Island beaches:
More for your Florida road trip:
- Marco Island beaches
- Shelling on Marco Island
- What to pack for shelling in Florida
- Best beaches in Southwest Florida
- Things to do in Southwest Florida
- Best state parks in Southwest Florida
- Marco Island to Miami
- Marco Island to Key West
- Marco Island to Tampa
- Tamiami Trail alligators
- Everglades National Park
HAPPY PARKING AT THE TIGERTAIL BEACH PARKING LOT!
Here's some info on Florida trip prep!
- Things to do in Southwest Florida
- Best shelling in Florida
- Tampa to Miami drive
- Things to do in Everglades National Park
Things to consider packing for Florida!
You can find these things on Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate.
Teva is a popular outdoor shoe brand, and they have sandals perfect for walking! Take a look at walking sandals for women and walking sandals for men.
There are waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
How to save money on your trip
I tend to use booking.com or hotels.com to look for the cheapest hotels. You can also try the expedia hotels site or see if you like any of the vrbo vacation rentals.