My Dad Lived On the Island for 43 Years | Good Morning Marco

In this very special episode, Ryan sits down with his dad, longtime Marco Island resident Mike Sullivan, to dive into 40+ years of wild, weird, and heartfelt stories about life on the island. From his move to Marco in 1978 to running a thriving photography business, to square groupers and skunk apes, Mike has seen it all — and he’s here to spill the history (and the tea 🍹).

In This Episode:

• Why Mike moved to Marco in the ’70s (and why he left)

• The real story behind the rise and fall of Resort Photographics

• Wild shark fishing stories, drug drops, and the infamous “square grouper”

• A skunk ape encounter in the Everglades?!

• Growing up Marco: nightlife, fishing spots, and how it all changed

• City politics, police visits, and neighborhood drama

• The Good Old Days vs. Marco today — what’s better, what’s worse

• Rapid-fire questions on food, landmarks, and ghost tours 👻

Whether you’re a Marco native, seasonal visitor, or skunk ape enthusiast, this is one of the most packed and personal episodes yet.

📍 Filmed on location in Mike’s old backyard around the firepit — just like the old days.

🎧 SPONSOR:

Thank you to Tyler Bucken and The Golf Group for supporting this episode. For luxury real estate on Marco Island and beyond, visit thegolfgroup.com or call 239-420-1099.

🛍️ Get your official Good Morning Marco Hawaiian shirt at goodmorningmarco.com — limited-time promo running now!

👇 Drop a comment with your favorite memory of old Marco or your weirdest local legend. And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more island stories every week!

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