You Can Find A Stunning Beach When You Paddle Through This 50-Foot Lagoon In South Florida
Florida is full of thrills and exciting adventures. From new park attractions to beach activities, we have it all. But did you know that Florida’s wilderness has many hidden thrills as well? One of which is a florida beach that you can get to from an easy swim through a small lagoon.
Tigertail Beach is waiting for you to find it. The stunning beach is a hidden paradise of clear water, soft sand and nature. In order to get to it though you have to make your way through a lagoon that you can either swim or paddleboard through.Â
Tigertail is a relatively new phenomenon in Florida and has an interesting origin story. Created by strong hurricane Wilma winds in 2015, it’s three miles of white sand beach on the coast of Marco Island. Coincidently, Marco Island is decidedly not wild, with many beach-front condos and high rises crowding the island.
It’s one of the last places you’d go looking for a private, untouched beach, which is also what makes Tigertail so special. Before the hurricane, Tigertail was just an offshore sandbar.
You can park for $8 upon getting to the lagoon, where you will find a well-kept park with changing rooms, and even a snack bar that serves beer, wine, and sandwiches. You can rent kayaks and paddleboards to use, and umbrellas to hide from the sun.
The developed park faces the salt-water lagoon, which is where you, the brave adventurer, are really headed. At high tide, the lagoon can reach 50 yards across, up to the waist and sometimes even the chest. The bottom of the lagoon is coated in grass and mud. You won’t sink, but it isn’t pleasant.
Once you’ve made it to the other side, the high tide path turns into a small channel just a few inches deep, and when you reach the sand, millions of little red fiddler crabs scurry to get out of your way.
If the beach isn't your thing, you have attractions like this new Star Wars ride to look forward to. If not, try finding this actual sunken ship you can visit.
Tigertail Beach
Price: $8 parking
When: 8AM - sundown
Address: 490 Hernando Drive, Marco Island
Why You Need To Go: The journey to this hidden, untouched beach is the best part!