Marco Island Adventure

Take the "Fanta-Sea Tour" with Capt. Cedric Davis. This is a "three hour tour," an eco-adventure, where you stop at two beaches to collect shells (best large, whole sand dollars ever!), cruise along the "1000 islands" chain, observe several species of native birds in their natural habitats, hold tiny sea life in your hands, watch as dolphins "chase" your boat, and if you're very fortunate, you will see a stingray or manatee swimming along. The dolphins chasing the boat was a highlight. I shot an entire roll of film capturing their play. The tour costs , and Capt. Davis was recently featured as "Best Private Boat Tour" captain in the Marco Review. He will take up to six people and give you personalized service and a wealth of information on the various shells, birds, sea creatures, and tropical foliage while aboard. Don't miss out!

Quick Tips:

Wear SPF 30 every day, as the sun is intense!
Have flip-flops available to walk the beach, as the shell fragments in some areas are a little more harsh than the soft sand.
Rent beach towels from Club Regency ( for the week) and save space in your suitcase for purchases!
Bring mosquito spray for boat tours (especially for the everglades).
If you're dying to spend money and shop, drive to Naples and hit 3rd Street South shops and Fifth Avenue district. They are packed with darling little boutiques (pricey, but nice) and cute restaurants. You can also hit "Tin City" in Naples area for souvenirs and large shells.
In Marco, the best shopping was at the Marco Town Center Mall (pale yellow painted stores near Publix). They had fantastic gift shops, a Tommy Bahamas store, and several boutique and specialty shops.

Best Way To Get Around:

Many things are within walking distance from Club Regency. Several restaurants, clothing stores, souvenir and beach shops, a movie theater, and night clubs were all closeby. A rental car is nice if you want to drive to Naples, Sanibel, or Captiva to explore those areas for a day, or if you want to see Thomas Edison's summer home (and laboratory, all left intact as he left it) or do an Everglades tour. Definitely make time to do a boat tour of the area if possible.

Best Things Nearby:
The beach is a short walk from the lovely pool area, and you can collect some beautiful shells each morning. Sailboards, jet-skis, and Sea-Doos are all available to rent, along with beach chaise chairs and umbrellas. Nearby hotel restaurants are within walking distance on the beach.

Best Things About the Resort:
The unit was very spacious and decorated in a tropical, breezy nature with rattan furnishings. The screened-in lanai provided a lovely place to relax and unwind in chaise lounge chairs (without pesky mosquitoes). I preferred having a pool view rather than an ocean view, especially since the tropical plants and landscaping were so gorgeous. The gated security entrance to and from the beach made you feel completely safe.

Resort Experience:
Club Regency is a beautiful facility with well kept grounds and a nice pool area. I really enjoyed staying there during off-peak season. It is very clean and the staff is most helpful.

The unit has a nice bar area with its own sink, glass shelving, blender, and glasses so you can entertain easily after a busy day at the beach or shopping. The kitchen and dining areas were spacious, so if you elect to cook your own meals, it's a breeze. There is an additional table and four chairs (rattan, tropical style) out on the screened-in lanai, so you can seat 8 people comfortably for a dinner party if needed.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Very Good

Exceptional food abounds at Bimini's. For starters, you MUST order the Bimini Bread! Yes, it is $3, but it is the best bread you'll ever taste, and it comes to your table piping hot with butter and/or dipping oil! Try the Capt. Bimini's platter for a tasty trio of broiled grouper, large shrimp, and huge tender scallops, along with fresh steamed vegetables, and a Caesar salad. They serve a glorious variety of appetizers, too. For dessert, the Key lime pie drizzled with a raspberry coulis will knock your socks off!

If you're dying for regular American food, try the slab of ribs with the Jamaican Jerk spice rub and smoky-flavored sauce. Excellent!

You can't beat the margaritas they serve here, and the iced tea is delicious and fresh-brewed.

This little jewel of a restaurant is fantastic! The service was excellent, and the food was outstanding!

Try a blackened grouper Caesar salad, as they have their own special touches (roasted red pepper and sundried tomatoes tossed in . . . to DIE for!), or try the Seafood Salad, which is a delectable blend of fresh crab, lobster, and scallops blended with diced pimento, celery, green onion, etc. in a lightly creamy consistency, and served over a beautiful bed of gourmet lettuces. And if you love iced tea, you'll love it here especially.

Ask to be seated by the water, so you can observe the large fish below hoping you'll toss in a crouton for their benefit.

Try a "Miami Vice" cocktail . . . the top portion is a "Rum Runner" blend in fuschia pink and the lower portion is a pina colada concoction. The layered colors make it interesting and very delicious.

A gift shop is next door with very nice logo items, luxurious beach towels, handsome golf shirts, children's wear, Koozies, etc. A hidden jewel of a place it is indeed, and the best kept secret in the area!

Fifth Avenue in Naples (a 35-minute drive from Club Regency) is a shopper's paradise. The prices are higher, but the sales are good and the quality exquisite. May starts the "off-season" sales and you can find incredible buys on luxury linens for bed and bath, garden and greenhouse specialty items, fine "resort" clothing, elegant evening wear, fine jewelry, artwork, and one-of-a-kind handblown glass items.

There are many restaurants woven through the shops, each with their own special flair. A short distance from Fifth Avenue Shops is "The Boathouse," a lovely restaurant sitting on the edge of a pier overlooking the yachts and sailing vessels. They have indoor and outdoor seating, and a marvelous Seafood Louis Salad and sourdough rolls. The dessert to order is the banana cheesecake roll with caramel sauce. It is decadent!