Are you heading to Florida and looking for the best beaches in Naples Florida? We are counting down the best beaches in Naples Florida; the white sand and fifty shades of blue.
All kinds of beach-lovers love Naples Fl beaches because they are so versatile for everyone. I have been visiting Naples, Florida for over 15 years and have been lucky to visit all of these beaches.
Naples is known for its sugary white sands and perfect water, lapping up from the Gulf of Mexico.
The best beaches in Naples, Florida, are a wide variety of busy city beaches to quiet state parks, from spotting dolphins on the waves to renting a kayak and taking to the seas yourself. Check out some of the top hotels on or close to Naples Beaches.
My family loves Naples Florida so much that we visit yearly for weeks at a time. There are so many fun attractions in Naples. If you are a coffee lover here are the top coffee shops in Naples Fl.
Here are the top restaurants to visit on 5th Avenue Naples and the top breakfast spots in Naples, Florida.
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Whether you’re looking for family-friendly Naples beaches, watersports, a perfect sunset spot, or a relaxing day out along the coast, here you can find the best beaches in Naples, Florida, to suit every taste.
The first destination that people usually think of when someone mentions Florida is Orlando. You can have an ultimate 4 days in Orlando then head to the best beaches in Naples Florida to enjoy some of the best beaches in the Gulf of Mexico.
Just remember to pack your high-SPF sunscreen and a quality beach umbrella.
Best Beaches in Naples Florida
If you’re looking for a spot of paradise – pearly white sand, turquoise waters, and bending palm trees – look no further than Naples, Florida.
I have been traveling to Florida several times per year for just over 10 years now and of all of Florida, the beaches in Naples are still my favorite. Naples makes a great winter getaway in December for some sunshine. Here are the best Naples beaches.
1. Lowdermilk Park, Naples Beach
1301 Gulfshore Boulevard North
This is my favorite Naples beach as it is ideally located in central Naples, Lowdermilk Park has it all, from natural wonderment to excellent facilities. The beach is clean and wide, and if you get there early enough you can bag one of the eight thatched palapas along the sand.
Another benefit of a dawn awakening is the wildlife watching on offer in the early hours, where you can see dolphins and turtles swimming just offshore in the summer. Or, enjoy the peace of the duck pond.
Not all Naples beaches have public facilities. This Naples Beach has facilities that include public washrooms, a snack bar, plenty of parking, two playgrounds, volleyball courts, beach wheelchairs, and disabled access, plus a concession stand where you can hire stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and other equipment.
Arrive early and you could be treated to a free thatched roof umbrella-type structure for the day. It is first-come, first-served and the early bird always gets the worm at Lowdermilk Park.
How to get to Lowdermilk Park
Parking is set at $1.25 for the first 30 minutes, then $0.25 for every six minutes after, or hourly at $2.50. The machines accept only quarters for cash, but some also have credit card facilities.
The park is open from sunrise to sunset daily. Parking at Naples beaches is first come, first serve so arrive early if you want to get a parking spot, especially during the holidays in December. The summer months at Naples beaches aren’t as busy.
Why choose Lowdermilk Park?
Palapas are shady enough to cover the whole family. The public facilities are a big plus for me as a lot of the Naples beaches don’t have any facilities. The snack bar is convenient for a quick lunch. The playground is great for smaller kids.
2. Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples Beach
11135 Gulfshore Drive
One of the most protected beaches in Naples, Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park is filled with natural beauty. Walk along winding paths through the natural dunes until you reach this Naples beach.
There are plenty of facilities for a full day out. Picnic tables for a scenic lunch, a small watchtower at the northern end of the beach provides gorgeous panoramas, plus you can also try a spot of fishing at the pass where the Cocohatchee River meets the ocean.
Be careful where you swim and especially avoid swimming near the pass, where waters are tricky to navigate, plus you’ll be in the way of the fishermen.
How to get to Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park
Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park is at the intersection of 11th Avenue North and Gulfshore Drive. This Naples beach park is open from 8 am to sundown all year round, but there can be closures between 10 am and 3 pm on weekends if the park gets too busy. However, additional parking is available at Conner Park.
State Park entrance fee: $6 per vehicle (two to eight people), or $4 for a single occupant vehicle. Cyclists, pedestrians, or holders of an Annual Individual Entrance Pass pay $2. There is also an additional boat ramp fee of $5 plus tax.
Why choose Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park?
To try and hook yourself a prize catch.
3. Clam Pass Beach Park
Seagate Drive and Crayton Road
Wander along the mile-long boardwalk, which winds through mangroves, with the reward of shining white sands at the end. Secluded and pristine, Clam Pass Beach Park is perfect for picking shells and paddling in the calm waves.
To the north, you’ll find the pass that gives the beach its name, where lagoon backwaters spill into the ocean. Rent a kayak, try your hand at fishing, birdwatch for wading shorebirds and osprey, or simply explore this area of natural beauty.
Facilities include picnic tables, public washrooms, outdoor showers, a snack bar, as well as places to rent cabanas, beach chairs, and watersport equipment. Note that the beach can get busy, so walk up or down to find yourself a quiet spot.
How to get to Clam Pass Beach Park
Park behind the Naples Grande Hotel and you can take the free tram to the beach, which runs every 15 minutes. Or, you can walk along the boardwalk to get to the Naples beach. The park is open from 8 am until sundown.
Parking fee for non-residents: $8 per vehicle to be paid at the pay station, or at metered parking (credit cards are accepted).
Why choose Clam Pass Beach Park?
For the gorgeous boardwalk nature trail.
4. Seagate Beach
100 Seagate Drive
Popular with both Neapolitans and tourists, Seagate Beach is renowned as one of the best sunset beaches in Naples. Walk down the path strewn with benches and you’ll soon reach the sand.
Time your visit well and you’ll be treated to kaleidoscopic dances across the horizon to end the day (not hard when Naples boasts 300 days of sunshine a year!).
How to get to Seagate Beach
Aim for Venetian Village at Park Shore, but then turn into Gulfshore Drive and park in the small area at the end of the street. The parking is free, but there are only a few spaces.
Why choose Seagate Beach?
For the epic sunset views.
5. 3rd Avenue Beach
3rd Avenue South
Perfectly located for those who are looking for shopping, then beaching (or groups who would rather split up to do one or the other), 3rd Avenue Beach offers easy access to downtown Naples while still providing a quiet spot for beach lovers.
The old pier also makes for a photogenic dusk backdrop.
How to get to 3rd Avenue Beach
Don’t confuse 3rd Avenue South with 3rd Street South. There are 14 parking spaces here, metered at $2.50 per hour.
Why choose 3rd Avenue Beach?
For a multi-activity day of shopping and/or sunbathing.
6. Naples Pier Beach
12th Avenue South
Yes, it may get a little crowded between December and April, but there’s a good reason why the iconic Naples Pier Beach is so popular. It’s a must-see attraction for visitors, having been a staple fixture in the community for more than a century.
Arrive early to get some of the coveted shade under the pier, walk along the famous promenade to watch the fishermen reel in their catch (or try a spot of fishing yourself), then head straight into town for shopping or food around 3rd Street South.
How to get to Naples Pier Beach
Naples Pier Beach is easy to reach from Gulfshore Boulevard South or 12 Avenue South, where there are plenty of parking spaces. Parking is usually metered at $2.50 per hour.
Why choose Naples Pier Beach?
For the pier, of course! If you get here early in the morning you may be able to see some dolphins or a family of stingrays from the pier. I like that Naples Pier Beach is close to one of my favorite coffee places, Bad Ass Coffee. One of the best coffee in Naples.
7. Sugden Regional Park
4284 Avalon Drive
Naples, Florida, is not just home to gorgeous seaside beaches, but inland beaches too. Sugden Regional Park is the only freshwater lake public beach in the Naples area, so it’s perfect if you’re looking to do something a little different – particularly watersports.
Try your hand at sailing, kayaking, water-skiing, paddle boating, and more. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, as there are lessons available in all kinds of disciplines.
Back on land, there’s still plenty to see and do, including a kid’s playground, walking trails around the lake, plus fishing from the small pier.
If you’re visiting in July, don’t miss the Ice Cream Social, held annually during Parks and Recreation Month.
How to get to Sugden Regional Park
The park is open from 8 am until sunset, there is parking available and admission is free.
Why choose Sugden Regional Park?
For the 60-acre Avalon Lake.
8. Vanderbilt Beach, Naples Beaches
Vanderbilt Beach, North Naples
North Naples’ Vanderbilt Beach is home to luxurious resorts, bars, and fine dining options, which means that it’s perfect for a pina colada, but it can get busy. If you arrive early enough in the morning, you’ll be able to collect shells and watch the birdlife.
You can walk along this stretch of sand for miles, which extends to Clam Pass Preserve Park in the north and residential neighborhoods in the south.
Facilities include public washrooms and showers.
How to get to Vanderbilt Beach
The County Park is at the end of Vanderbilt Beach Road, between Immokalee Road and Pine Ridge Road. Parking costs $8 for the whole day. It’s also on the Naples Trolley Tour route if you’d prefer not to drive.
Why choose Vanderbilt Beach?
Excellent food and drink options – ideal for a cocktail on the beachfront.
best Beaches in Naples Florida
Best Beaches near Naples, Florida
However, some of the best beaches in the Naples area are actually found outside of Naples, in Bonita Springs or Marco Island. Below are a few beaches you may have to venture further afield to find but are definitely worth the extra traveling time.
Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park
503 Barefoot Beach Road, Bonita Springs
One of the most stunning beaches in the state of Florida, and perhaps the whole of the United States, Barefoot Beach lives up to its idyllic name.
Soft, white sand and shallow waves are perfect for those looking for a child-friendly day at the beach, plus there are plenty of things to see and do.
Rent a kayak or canoe to paddle along the inland side of the beach, through the mangroves. Try wildlife watching for gopher tortoises and nesting turtles (summer only), perhaps manatees if you’re lucky, or watch fluttering wings of color at the butterfly garden.
There are free nature walks and shell talks available from rangers at the Chickee Learning Center, perfect for kids to learn about the beach, while you laze in a tropical hammock.
On the drive home, you can muse over the lifestyles of the rich and famous by gawking at the incredible mansions along the coast.
How to get to Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park
Head to the end of Barefoot Beach Road, off Bonita Springs Road. Don’t park in the community, as you’ll likely get towed, but carry on to the preserve gate.
Parking fee for non-residents: $8 per car.
Why choose Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park?
Breathtaking natural beauty.
Bonita Beach Park
27954 Hickory Boulevard, Bonita Springs
Head over to Big Hickory Island and you’ll be treated to Bonita Beach Park, which was once a small fishing village. Due to its prime location by Interstate 75, you’ll be sharing the sand with plenty of other keen beachgoers, but the beach still has a great atmosphere.
You can rent watersports equipment, play beach volleyball, watch your kids play out on the playground, or fire up a barbecue at one of the picnic grills (or just buy burgers at Doc’s Beach House).
If you head further north, away from the crowds, there are also a number of smaller public beaches, but parking is more limited.
How to get to Bonita Beach Park
There’s plenty of parking around Bonita Beach Park and along Hickory Boulevard, prices start from $2 for an hour. The beach is open from 7 am to sundown daily.
Why choose Bonita Beach Park?
Easy access along Interstate 75.
South Marco Beach
290 South Collier Boulevard, Marco Island
One of only two public beach accesses on Marco Island, South Marco Beach is the easiest to get to. The sand is soft and white and is usually home to a lively crowd of beach lovers. Choose from activities such as volleyball, paddle-boarding, jet-skiing, parasailing, and more.
If you get a little hungry (or you need to use the restroom), grab a snack from the Sunset Grille.
How to get to South Marco Beach
Note that the beach is a bit of a walk from the parking lot, Swallow Avenue, which is on the other side of Collier Boulevard. Parking costs $8 per vehicle.
Why choose South Marco Beach?
The easiest access on Marco Island.
Tigertail Beach
430 Hernando Drive, Marco Island
In the north of Marco Island, you’ll find Tigertail Beach, known for birdwatching at the lagoon, as well as San Dollar Spit – a sand spit peninsula famous for its lovely seashells.
There are ample facilities, including public washrooms, a food concession stand, places to rent watersports equipment, as well as a playground.
If you’re visiting Tigertail in winter or spring, you might see representatives of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, as they study the wildlife at the beach’s lagoon.
How to get to Tigertail Beach
Parking costs $8 per day per vehicle or $1.50 per hour. There are credit-card-friendly metered machines available. The beach is open from 8 am to sundown.
Why choose Tigertail beach?
Amazing wildlife and great facilities.
Top Questions About Naples Beach Florida
Here are some of your top questions answered about Naples Beach Florida.
Is the water clear in Naples Florida?
Southwest Florida beaches can have clear water, but it can be inconsistent. It usually depends on the weather.
Is Naples beach safe to swim?
Naples’s beaches are safe to swim in. Keep an eye out for any red tide warnings.
Is there red tide in Naples Beach?
Red tide can happen at various times throughout the year. People with chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma or emphysema should avoid going to the beach as these illnesses may be aggravated.
What months does red tide occur in Florida?
K. brevis blooms occur in the Gulf of Mexico almost every year, generally in late summer or early fall. They are most common on the central and southwestern coasts of Florida between Clearwater and Sanibel Island but may occur anywhere in the Gulf.
Are there jellyfish in Naples Florida?
Yes, there are jellyfish in Naples Florida.
What kind of sharks are in Naples Florida?
Yes, there are sharks in Naples Florida. The most common local species include lemon sharks, blacktip sharks, Atlantic sharpnose sharks, hammerheads, nurse sharks, spinners, and tough bull sharks.
More of the Best Beaches in Naples, Florida
Do you agree with this list? Are your favorite Naples beaches featured here, or do you have more to add? No matter what type of beach you’re looking for, hopefully, this collection of Naples’ public beaches has helped you decide which is best for the type of beachy day out you want.
If you have any suggestions for beaches in Naples or around Naples, which we may have missed out above, don’t hesitate to let us know.
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