Esplanade Shoppes at Marco Island — Local services in Marco Island

For years we have enjoyed going by boat to Esplanade. We bring friends and meet lots of other boaters there to enjoy CJ’s on the Bay, Deep Lagoon and Mangos Dockside Grill and Stone Cold Creamery for dessert. It has always been so easy to access by boat and the workers have always been so helpful in securing a place to dock. As usual, since January we have gone there every week to meet up with friends. I don’t know what happened but this week something changed. There was no slip available to dock our boats. We were told there will now be only several slips to dock at. We were all disappointed. I don’t know why the businesses at Esplanade would choose not to welcome boaters anymore. No boater is going to travel there knowing there may not be a place to dock. I guess we will have to go to Snook Inn or the restaurants in Goodland who welcome boaters instead. It’s too bad, we all enjoyed it...

A small waterfront spot featuring a variety of restaurants, an ice cream shop, an acaí bowl place, and several small clothing boutiques. There is a marina with ample docking space, making it easy for boaters to stop and enjoy a meal on the water. The outdoor seating is well-shaded, and there's a central outdoor bar that adds to the laid-back vibe. Public restrooms are also available, making it convenient...

It's a pretty plaza, BUT the parking is awful. There are few spots and most of the parking garage is for the apartments above the stores and restaurants. You only find that out when you drive in and get to a gate. Then you have to try to make a U-turn in front of all of the cars who will soon find out that they have to turn...