Goodland Florida Vacations

Goodland FL Nightlife Dining Travel Real Estate

The tiny and lively community of Goodland, Florida is located off Florida State Road 92 at the southeast corner of Marco Island. Historic Goodland, offers visitors a laid back charm unlike any other place in the region. Goodland is an old Florida fishing village – once home to the Calusa Indians. The waters around Goodland are prime fishing for many species. Today, Goodland is a naturalists paradise. There are no commercial hotels on Goodland. Goodland vacation lodging is available from local cottage and condomineum owners.

Island Hopper Boat Rentals and Tours, 525 Newport Dr., Naples, FL 34114 | 239-961-2473
Guided boat tours leaving Port of the Islands Marina, Naples, Florida Touring the Everglades and the Ten Thousand Islands area. Rent a pontoon for a full day of fun. Whitehorse Key is a great place to beach your boat and find amazing shells. Walk the island, explore the 10,000 islands, and enjoy a great view of the Gulf of Mexico. Look for manatee, dolphin, alligators and everything the Everglades has to offer. See the 10,000 islands up close.
Visit Island Hopper Boat Rental & Tours - Naples, FL

Goodland FL History

Johnny Roberts is believed to have founded Goodland in the late 1800’s. He named it Goodland Point because it featured a 40-acre shell mound left by the Calusa Indians that was ideal for growing fruit and vegetables. It was also a great location to fish. Roberts would later sell his squatter’s rights to Samuel Alexander Pettit, around 1890. Goodland’s isolation remained virtually intact until 1938 when State Road 92 was completed and a swing bridge installed. It was during that time period that Pettit’s son Harry single-handedly built the winding Goodland road to the state road intersection using shells from the Calusa mounds. By 1949, Goodland would forever change with the arrival of families from nearby Caxambas. Marco Island Developers moved the families to Goodland in a failed attempt to develop the island. On January 4, 1964, the historic Marco Lodge was moved from Old Marco to Goodland.

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Today, Goodland, FL remains predominately a fishing and entertainment community of about 400 full-time residents. The fishing captains fetch local seafood from the Gulf of Mexico, dolphins break the surf and live, original music emanates from the local restaurants. Today, Goodland is home to the annual Goodland Mullet Festival – held every winter at Stan’s Idle Hour. Stan’s is the oldest family operated restaurant in the area, owned by the Gober Family since 1969. Stan’s Idle Hour, Marco Island Lodge Crab House, and the nearby Little Bar Restaurant serve lunch and dinner. The Little Bar Restaurant offers live entertainment in the cozy lounge most evenings. Local seafood may still be purchased “just of the boat” at Kirk Fish Company on Papaya Street.

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