The world-class resort destination of Marco Island is snugly nestled in the many mangrove islands of southwest Florida's Gulf coast. There are miles of uninhabited islands and inlets, bays, creeks, and even the Gulf of Mexico itself. This four miles wide by six miles long island is also located near the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and adjoining Briggs Memorial Nature Center and right in the heart of the prime fishing available in the Ten Thousand Island area. The population of year-round residents of Marco Island doubles during the prime Snowbird season of January through March.