Founder of the first settlement on Marco Island, Captain William Collier, started charging fishermen to stay in his house for the pleasure of casting a line in the Gulf waters way back in the 1870s. Today fishing is still the main magnet for visitors to the island, which is bristling with charter companies offering deep-sea game fishing trips to the well-stocked nursery grounds of the Gulf around the Ten Thousand Islands. Aside from fishing, Marco Island offers a beautiful crescent-shaped beach with a plethora of water sports facilities aimed at holidaymakers. Colourful seashells are plentiful along the water's edge and holidaying visitors become hooked on the fun pastime of shelling. Tours to the Everglades make a great side trip, and golfers are well catered for on the island's courses that are designed to suit everyone from beginner to seasoned pro.

English is the most common language but Spanish is often spoken in south-western states.

The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

Little Marco Island is vulnerable to hurricanes and storm surges, but residents and visitors are evacuated to the mainland if danger threatens.

Lingering over dinner or sipping cocktails under the stars is enough evening entertainment for most island holidaymakers, but those who like things a little hotter will probably find dancing and cabaret available at their resort or hotel. Stan's Idle Hour Restaurant is usually a good bet for a party atmosphere, particularly when owner Stan decides to entertain his guests with jokes and a rendition of his 'buzzard lope' dance. The Snook Inn also offers live music on the dockside. There is a movie theatre on the island. The bright lights of Naples are only a few minutes drive away on the mainland.

Seafood specialities top the menu in most of Marco Island's many dining establishments, and of course most holidaymakers choose to enjoy the balmy weather and dine al fresco. The Olde Marco Island Inn is a favourite haunt for gourmets after a taste of the islands, with sizzling steaks and juicy shrimp on offer in several dining olde world dining rooms and an outdoor upper deck. Another popular eatery is the Snook Inn on the waterfront, where visitors dine in style watching dolphins and pelicans play.

Most visitors to Marco Island prefer to spend their holiday funds in the upmarket malls of elegant Naples, just 15 miles (24km) away on the mainland across the highrise bridge. The island's sprawling resort-ridden area boasts its own Marco Town Center Mall, which offers enough to keep avid shoppers busy, though. The Mall, designed as a quaint village on North Collier Boulevard and Bald Eagle Drive, features a large selection of shops and boutiques selling clothing, home accessories, fine jewellery, gifts and shoes. There is also a beauty salon, grocery store, optician and pharmacy.