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With its ever-changing sands and lagoon, that serve as the super highway for bird migrations, Tigertail Beach is a prime destination for people from around the world.

Located on the northern shoreline of Marco Beach, it is part of a 2,000-mile Great Florida Birding Trail, with the final section being the southern-most part of Florida, spanning 12 counties that showcase 116 prime bird-watching sites.

Tigertail Beach is one of the best all-around birding sites in Southwest Florida for migrations of more than 60 species, with its sandy beach, dunes and mud flats.

Operated by Collier County, its park rangers offer many educational programs, including birding tours and presentations on coastal wildlife, like sea turtles and manatees.

The Friends of Tigertail is a local volunteer group, in partnership with city, county and state organizations providing a stewardship to foster community appreciation and understanding of this unique habitat to protect this valuable resource and to ensure that future generations will be able to view the amazing diversity of shorebirds, water fowl and wading birds.

ROGER LALONDE / Eagle staff

In an early-morning photo, Tigertail Beach awaits those who come to enjoy the sun or become mystified by the birds seen at various times of the year along the beach, or to discover the beautiful shells to take home and show to family and friends, which in turns inspires more people to make the trip to paradise.

Story: View from above: Tigertail Beach (08-17-07)

The beach itself offers a magnificent location for tourists to enjoy. Kayaks, canoes and other water equipment is available for tourists’ pleasures and has a playground, alongside a picnic area with an outstanding concession stand, provided by the county. There are beach wheelchairs available.

Once across the lagoon, the beach opens onto a gorgeous waterway, excellent for shell hunting.

Tigertail Beach is the place to go for a day of lounging on the beach or for the excitement of finding shells and seeing birds that can only be found in few places in the state or the world.