Winterberry Beach derives its name from Winterberry Drive on Marco Island, representing one of the island's newest public beach access points also known as City South Beach Access. Located on Marco Island's western Gulf shore at the intersection of Winterberry Drive and Collier Boulevard, this beach developed as part of Marco Island's expansion of public access following the massive 1960s development by the Mackle brothers' Deltona Corporation. The island's transformation from Calusa inhabitation dating to 500 CE through William Thomas Collier's 1870 village founding to modern resort destination accelerated after the 1969 S.S. Jolley Bridge opening connected Marco Island to mainland Florida. Winterberry Beach provides one of Marco Island's widest beach expanses along the western shore, though unlike municipally-managed beaches, parking occurs at the private Turtle Lot open to the public at 0 daily fee, located less than five minutes' walk from the beach access. The tropical paradise setting on Marco Island's western shore offers serene coastal experience distinct from the busier Tigertail Beach and South Marco Beach public access points.
Swimming in crystal-clear Gulf waters with gentle waves provides ideal conditions for families enjoying the soft, powdery white sand beach characteristic of Southwest Florida's barrier islands. Shelling attracts beachcombers searching for worm shells, calico shells, lightning whelks, moon snails, olive shells, fighting conchs, sand dollars, and starfish along the abundant shell-laden shoreline—though collection or injury to live shells, starfish, and sand dollars is prohibited on Marco Island. Paddleboarding and kayaking launch from the wide beach into calm Gulf waters. Beachcombing for unique shell specimens occupies hours along the extensive shoreline. Sunset viewing showcases spectacular colors across western Gulf horizons. Beach chairs and umbrellas rent from vendors in front of the Crystal Shores and Charter Club condominiums south of the Winterberry access. Leisurely strolls along the shoreline provide peaceful recreation. The quieter atmosphere compared to more crowded Marco Island beaches appeals to visitors seeking relaxed beach experiences in Southwest Florida's pristine coastal environment.
CJ's on the Bay at 740 North Collier Boulevard offers tropical seafood dining with spectacular Smokehouse Bay views, serving fresh stone crab, rum butter mahi mahi, signature crab cakes, and famous lobster fries with Thursday DJ dancing and 4-7 PM happy hour. Snook Inn has provided Marco River waterfront dining for over 35 years, featuring blackened red snapper, mahi mahi, and famous grouper sandwiches with live music seven days weekly on the open-air deck. Fin Bistro specializes in refined super-fresh local seafood including swordfish piccata, grouper, and crab cakes. Marco Prime Steaks & Seafood serves upscale USDA Prime beef and high-quality Gulf seafood. LeeBe Fish offers no-frills dining where local commercial-fishing boats supply fresh grouper, snapper, stone crab, and shrimp baskets, representing Marco Island's diverse waterfront culinary scene from casual beachside to fine dining showcasing abundant Gulf Coast seafood.
