Best Beaches in Naples Florida to visit this season

8 Best beaches in Naples, Florida

Bybrogrammer

Naples, Florida, is a popular tourist destination for many reasons. One of the reasons is that it has some of the best beaches in the world. Their waters are shallow, waves gentle, and sands soft and white, making them some of the most scenic and safe beaches in Florida.

They are also a great place for swimming, sunbathing, shelling, and enjoying stunning sunsets. The climate in Naples is warm and humid all year round, so you can visit these beaches at any time of year, even during the winter months. In this article, we will explore the best beaches in Naples, Florida, and their unique features.

1. Naples Pier Beach

Location: 25 12th Ave S Naples, FL

One of the most iconic beaches in Naples, Pier beach stretches on for miles and miles and is a perfect spot to watch sunsets. The pier spreads about 1,000 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, splitting the beach into two parts. More importantly, Naples pier beach is not overcrowded or noisy, unlike the more popular and crowded shorelines with piers. Most visitors stay near the pier area, where they can easily access facilities.

Naples pier beach is a favorite of sightseers, families, and fishing enthusiasts. But fishing is prohibited all day on Sunday and from 11:00 pm – 5:00 am on Monday – Saturday.

Amenities:

  • Public restrooms and showers
  • Beach concession stand with covered eating area and beach supplies. (open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. During the summer and 9 am. To sunset during the winter)
  • Volleyball courts
  • Picnic tables
  •  Children’s lifejackets (free of charge for borrowing)
  •  Parking

2. Seagate Beach

Location: 100 Seagate Drive, Naples FL

If you are looking for a quiet and peaceful beach where you can relax and watch a picturesque sunset, Seagate is the best beach to visit in Naples, Florida. First, head toward Venetian Village at Park Shore, then turn right onto Gulf Shore Drive, and park at the small free parking area.

A long, paved way leads to the beach from the parking area. There are lovely park benches along the pathway, where you can sit and relax. It’s a less crowded beach and has very few amenities. In fact, there are no public restrooms or showers.

Amenities:

  • Free parking
  • Kids’ life jackets available on the honor system

3. Vanderbilt Beach

Location: 100 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples, FL 34108, USA

Vanderbilt Beach - best beaches in Naples Florida

Located at the end of Vanderbilt Drive in North Naples, Vanderbilt Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Naples. If you prefer a bit of liveliness and action on a beach, you must definitely visit this beach. It is frequented by a mix of locals and tourists, making it one of the best beaches in Naples, Florida, to people watch. During the day, it’s an ideal place to take a swim or kayak.

If you are visiting on a weekend or a major holiday, try to arrive early (at least before 10 am). Parking is available in a large garage, and if the beach is crowded, you might not find space to park your car. Then rush to the beach and grab a prime spot on the beach. In the early mornings, Vanderbilt beach is ideal for walks, birdwatching, and shelling. In the evenings, many people gather on the beach to watch the sunset.

Amenities:

  • Restrooms
  • Foot showers
  • Beach concession with snacks, chairs, cabanas, beach toys
  • Life jacket loaner program
  • Bike racks
  • Toll booth attendant
  • Parking garage
  • Solar beach parking meter
  • Beach wheelchair

4. Barefoot Beach

Location: 503 Barefoot Beach Road, Bonita Springs, FL

Spread out over an area of 342 acres, Barefoot Beach is a paradise for nature lovers. The shallow water and gentle waves makes it ideal for relaxing and enjoying the scenery. The sand is soft and white, with green sea oats waving in the wind. There is a one-mile nature trail among the dunes where you can spot some of the local wildlife, including gopher tortoises and nesting turtles. In fact, Barefoot beach is home to a gopher tortoise preserve, as well as a butterfly garden and a cactus garden. The Learning Center at the beach will be an educational experience for those who love wildlife and nature.

Amenities:

  • Restrooms and showers
  • Picnic area
  • Equipment rental
  • Concession stand offering canoe and kayak rentals for mangrove paddling
  • Handicapped beach wheelchair access

5. Clam Pass Beach

Location: Seagate Drive and Crayton Road, Naples FL

Clam Pass Beach, part of Clam Pass Beach Park, is one of the most unusual beach areas and ecosystems in Naples. The beach is located behind a mangrove forest, and you have to walk nearly a mile through the mangroves to reach the beach. Yes, it’s a long walk, but the scenery is quite beautiful, and you are sure to encounter many wildlife dwellers on your walk. If you don’t want to walk, you can take a free tram, which runs every 15 minutes back and forth between the beach and the parking area.

There are many interesting places to explore along the beach. On the way to the beach, you will see a tidal bay area filled with marine life as well as birds. If you walk to the north end of the beach, you can observe an inlet flowing from the lagoon into the Gulf. This is a perfect spot to go kayaking, wade around, and fish.  

Amenities:

  • Public restrooms
  • Outdoor showers
  • Picnic areas
  • Snack bar
  • Beach rentals, including chairs, kayaks, cabanas, and watersports

6. Keewaydin Beach

Address: 8 2nd St S, Naples, FL 34102

If you are looking for a unique beach experience on a deserted and uninhabited island, then Keewaydin Beach is ideal for you. Keewaydin is a barrier island between Naples and Marco Island. Keewaydin beach is a stretch of untouched white sand running nearly eight miles. More interestingly, Keewaydin beach is only accessible by boat. If you don’t own a boat, you can rent a boat from the Marco Island marina or take the Hemingway Water Shuttle, which makes seven trips daily. Both the shuttle and island are pet-friendly.

Keewaydin beach does not have bathroom facilities or restaurants. But there are food boats that stop on a regular basis to offer hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, ice cream, sodas, and beer.

Amenities: None

7. Lowdermilk Park

Location: 1301 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples, FL 34102

Lowdermilk Park features one of the most popular beaches in Naples, a bit north of downtown, close to the residential neighborhood. The soft white sand, shallow water, gentle waves, and the green manicured area make it one of the best beaches in Naples, Florida. The beach is not as wide as other Naples beaches, so it can get a bit crowded.

It’s always best to go early to secure a good spot on the beach. The beach also houses 8 thatched roof palapa (totally free of charge). If you are early, you can grab one of these and enjoy the shade with your whole family. In the summer months, you can also spot turtles and dolphins in the early mornings.

Amenities:

  • Restrooms and outdoor showers
  • Picnic areas
  • Playgrounds
  • Concession stand offering paddleboards, chairs, snacks, etc.
  • Snack bar

8. Delnor Wiggins State Park

Location: 11135 Gulfshore Drive, Naples, FL

A beachfront with rustic stretches of dunes strewn with sea oats and seagrape trees, Delnor Wiggins State Park beach is a must-visit place for nature lovers. It’s home to many types of wildlife – gophers, owls, eagles, ospreys, and a wide range of shorebirds. This stretch of beach is also one of the best shelling areas on the coast. So if you love sea shells, Delnor Wiggins beach is the best beach to visit in Naples, Florida.

There are several walking paths to the beach that take you through dunes. The north end of the beach is ideal for fishing; you can even cast a fishing line here, as swimming is not allowed in this zone. At the north end of the Park, you will also find a watchtower that offers sweeping views of the area.

On busy days, finding parking can be difficult since the Park will not allow additional vehicles once the parking lots are full. If you can’t get parking, try parking at Conner Park, which is about a mile away; then, you can take the free Beach Bus. The Park allows pets, but you can’t take them to the beach.

Amenities:

  • Public restrooms
  • Concession stand
  •  Children’s play area
  • Picnic tables complete with barbecues

Where are the Best Beaches in Naples?

Naples is a city known for its picturesque beaches. You can find many beaches in Naples, located either within city limits or in secluded wildlife reserves. The best thing about these beaches is that they all have different features, so there’s something for everyone!

If you are looking for a ‘fun’ beach that is popular and conveniently located close to shops and restaurants, you will love Naples Pier Beach, Lowdermilk Park, and Vanderbilt Beach.

But if you prefer more secluded, pristine beaches, don’t forget to visit Seagate beach, Barefoot Beach, Calm Pass Beach, Keewaydin Beach, and Lowdermilk Park.

Beaches close to the city limits are easier to access and usually have more and better amenities than beaches in quiet areas. In this article, we have answered your query: where are the best beaches in Naples? Some of the beaches in Naples are situated in isolated locations, while others are closer to residential areas. Now that you have all the necessary information about them, you can decide for yourself what is the best beach in Naples.