By Kevin Harper

Marco Island FL is a drop-dead gorgeous place to live, work, or vacation. Nestled on the pretty Gulf of Mexico on the southwestern coast of Florida, it is the largest of the Sunshine State's waterway called Ten Thousand Islands (though inaccurately named).

Part of a chain of hundreds, not thousands, of islands and tiny mangroves, Marco Island is actually just 24 square miles, making it an exclusive place to live. There are many other things that make it a desirable place to raise a family or own a second home, however, not the least of which is its clean sandy beaches and amazing panoramic views of the ocean.

There are about 10 km of these pristine beaches to be shared by its population of about 15,000 residents, although seasonal population swings are regular. The populations often reaches up to 35,000 in the colder months.

There are quite a few waterfront Marco Island condos for residents to live in. There are beach front homes or real estate facing one of the many canals that provide boaters convenient access to their home. Marco Island real estate is listed in all price ranges, from mid to high five figures for a smaller condo to easily over $30 million for one of its more exclusive luxury estates.

As one might expect, one will find a wide variety of things to do on Marco Island, including world class restaurants, outdoor cafes, and family restaurants. Many places of business are situated in view of Marco's coastal scenery, allowing visitors to see porpoises in their natural environment while enjoying fine cuisine.