Best Beaches in Naples Florida for Fun and Sun
The city of Naples, Florida, is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Powdery white sand, calm turquoise waters, and sunsets that stop you in your tracks make this stretch of coastline a delight.
Each beach in Naples has its own personality and amenities, from family-friendly parks to natural preserves where mangroves meet the sea. Here’s a closer look at the Naples’ best beaches, what you’ll find there, and the info you need to help you plan a perfect day by the water.
Best Naples Florida Beaches
Here are the best public beaches in Naples, Florida.
Naples Municipal Beach
While the Naples Pier was recently destroyed by a hurricane and there are no definite plans to rebuild it, the Naples Beach is still a great place to spend the day.
The sandy beach that flanks the pier is perfect for swimming and relaxing. Also, it’s just a short stroll from downtown Naples’ Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South, areas known for great shopping, cafés, restaurants, and art galleries.
Facilities here are excellent, with restrooms and showers. The concession stand and small bait shop are currently closed.
Parking near the pier is metered, costing about $2.50 per hour, and you can extend your time via phone if needed. There’s a parking lot at the corner of Gulf Shore Blvd. South and 12th Avenue South, and additional paid parking spaces by the access points on 13th Avenue South and Broad Avenue South.
Because of its central location, this beach can get busy,. If you prefer a quieter experience, walk a few minutes north or south of the pier for more space (but parking might be harder to find). For sunset lovers, this might just be the best spot in Naples, but get there early to claim a good viewing position.
Location: Naples Pier is at the part of the beach where 12th Avenue South ends at the beach.
Lowdermilk Park
Lowdermilk Park is the best place for families to spend a day at the beach. In addition to the soft sand and calm waters, you’ll find shaded picnic areas, sand volleyball courts, and even a playground for kids.
Perhaps the most convenient part of the beach is that there’s a full concession stand at the beach, with drinks, sandwiches, salads, and more.
Restroom facilities and showers are available on site. There are free lifejackets available for kids to use.
Also, there’s usually a rental stand for paddle boards, beach chairs, and umbrellas.
Parking is metered, and like many Naples beaches, the parking area fills up quickly on weekends. The park’s location makes it easy to carry beach gear from the parking lot to the sand, and there is handicap access to the beach.
The combination of amenities, convenience, and family-friendly atmosphere makes Lowdermilk one of the most popular beaches in town for a laid-back beach day.
Location: 1301 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples, FL 34102
Horizon Way Beach
Horizon Way Beach is a peaceful alternative to some of the busier beaches in Naples.
The calm conditions are ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and simply enjoying the scenery.
This location provides a more natural and less-developed feel. It offers showers and foot washers at the access point, but there are no public restrooms.
There is a small public parking lot with meters, and parking can be very limited, especially during peak season.
Location: Horizon Way Beach Access is located at 3951 Gulf Shore Blvd N in the Park Shore community.
Vanderbilt Beach
If you’re looking for a livelier vibe, Vanderbilt Beach offers plenty of energy and activity. Vanderbilt Beach Park is perfect for people who like to be active at the beach or families with older kids.
Located at the end of Vanderbilt Beach Road, near upscale resorts like the Ritz-Carlton, this beach is wide, busy, and well-equipped with amenities.
There’s a concession stand with ice cream, and vendors rent everything from umbrellas and chairs to water sports gear like paddleboards, kayaks, and Hobie Cats, so you don’t need to pack much if you want a spontaneous beach day.
Restrooms and outdoor showers are available, and you’ll find a few cafés and shops within walking distance.
Public parking is available in a large dedicated parking garage and on the street for a daily fee. Parking fills up quickly, especially in high season, so plan to arrive in the morning.
Vanderbilt Beach is perfect for people who like having services and rentals close at hand, but if you want a quieter stretch of sand, simply walk a bit farther north or south.
Location: Parking is located at 100 Vanderbilt Beach Road.
Clam Pass Park
Clam Pass Park is a unique beach that feels like an escape into nature. To reach the beach, you walk (or ride a tram) along a three-quarter-mile boardwalk that winds through mangroves and tidal lagoons.
Take the tram if it’s particularly hot or you have a lot of stuff to carry. But keep in mind that you might have to wait for the tram if you arrive at a crowded time.
Walking to Clam Pass Beach is lovely because you might spot wading birds and fiddler crabs along the way. Once you reach the Gulf, you’ll find a wide sandy beach with calm water and soft sand that’s perfect for swimming, shelling, or simply relaxing.
Amenities include restrooms, showers, a snack bar, and rentals for chairs, umbrellas, and water sports gear.
The tram service runs continuously for those who prefer not to walk the boardwalk, and interpretive signage along the path explains the ecology of the mangroves.
Parking costs about $10 for non-residents, and like other Naples beaches, the parking lot fills quickly during peak times.
Clam Pass Park is one of Naples’ most unique beach experiences because visitors get to experience both a scenic mangrove ecosystem and the classic Gulf Coast atmosphere of white sand and turquoise water.
Location: 465 Seagate Dr, Naples.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
If you’re looking for a beach that feels natural and unspoiled, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park should be at the top of your list. Located on a barrier island north of Naples, this state park combines wide sandy shores with mangroves and dunes.
Offshore, a natural reef-like hard bottom makes it one of the best places in the area for snorkeling. Visitors can swim, shell, picnic, or paddle in the calm Gulf waters, and birdwatchers often spot herons, osprey, and other coastal species.
Amenities include restrooms, showers, picnic tables, grills, and a concession stand where you can pick up snacks or beach gear.
You can take a walk on a nature trail, climb an observation tower, and use the boat launch area for kayaks and paddleboards.
The park charges a vehicle entry fee and is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset. The parking lots fill quickly on weekends and holidays, and once they are full, no more cars are allowed in until spaces open. If you want to secure a spot, arrive early in the morning.
Location: 11135 Gulf Shore Dr, Naples.
Smaller Beach Access Points
If you’d rather avoid crowds, Naples also has smaller beach access points tucked into residential areas, such as 8th Avenue North, Via Miramar, and Vedado Way. These spots are less developed and typically offer just the basics: small parking lots, showers, and foot washes.
These quieter beaches are perfect if you want to read a book, go for a peaceful swim, or enjoy a simple walk along the shore. They don’t have concessions or rentals, so bring everything you need with you, from umbrellas to snacks. Because these accesses are close to residential neighborhoods, they feel less touristy and more local.
Beaches Nearby Naples Florida
If you want to explore more Naples-area beaches, you could head north or south of the city.
Best Beaches North of Naples, Florida
Bonita Beach
Bonita Beach is the main public beach in Bonita Springs, located just north of Naples. It’s a lively spot, popular with both locals and visitors thanks to its easy access and wide shoreline.
The sand here is soft and white, and the water is typically calm enough for swimming, paddleboarding, and beach walks. Parking is available at Bonita Beach Park, which also has restrooms, showers, picnic shelters, and a playground, making it convenient for families.
The area around Bonita Beach also has a relaxed, Old Florida charm, with a handful of beach bars and casual restaurants nearby.
It’s a great place to spend the day in the sun, then linger into the evening for a casual dinner overlooking the Gulf. Bonita Beach is also one of the best spots for catching a colorful sunset without driving far from Naples.
Barefoot Beach Preserve
For a quieter, more natural experience, Barefoot Beach Preserve is one of Southwest Florida’s true treasures. This county-managed preserve offers nearly a mile of unspoiled beach lined with dunes, sea oats, and mangroves.
It’s less developed than other beaches, perfect for a peaceful, relaxed day by the water. The preserve is also home to gopher tortoises, which you may spot on the dunes as you make your way to the beach.
Barefoot Beach has restrooms, showers, picnic areas, and a nature center with exhibits about the local ecosystem.
Parking is available for a daily fee, and as with most area beaches, spaces are limited during peak times.
Best Beaches South of Naples
Keewaydin Island
Keewaydin Island is one of Southwest Florida’s most unspoiled barrier islands and a favorite getaway for those seeking a true “off-the-grid” beach day.
Stretching about eight miles between Naples and Marco Island, Keewaydin Island is only accessible by boat, which keeps it wonderfully undeveloped and peaceful. With no roads, cars, or high-rise buildings, the island offers nothing but soft white sand, rolling dunes, and calm Gulf waters.
Keewaydin is a popular spot for shelling, picnicking, and swimming, and because of its remoteness, you’ll often feel as if you have miles of beach to yourself.
The island is a haven for boaters, kayakers, and wildlife enthusiasts. Dolphins are frequently spotted offshore, and shorebirds nest in the dunes.
Keewaydin is the perfect choice if you want a taste of what Southwest Florida’s coastline looked like before development — wild, pristine, and unforgettable.
Marco Island
Marco Island, located just south of Naples, is famous for its long, sweeping beaches that combine resort-style amenities with natural beauty. The two main public beaches are Tigertail Beach and South Marco Beach.
Seeing Marco Island by boat is a great way to easily access the shelly beaches without dealing with island traffic. You’ll also have an easier time spotting dolphins in the waters around the island!
Tigertail Beach is unique because it begins with a tidal lagoon that you can either wade across or walk around to reach the Gulf shore. Once across, you’ll find a pristine stretch of sand that feels remote and wild, perfect for shelling and birdwatching.
The lagoon itself is also great for kayaking and paddleboarding. Amenities include restrooms, a concession stand, and playgrounds, making it family-friendly while still retaining a natural feel.
South Marco Beach, on the other hand, is easier to access and is located near many of the island’s hotels and resorts. It has wide sand, calm water, and plenty of space for swimming, sunbathing, and beach games.
Parking is limited to a few access points with meters, so it’s wise to plan ahead. Between these two beaches, Marco Island offers both convenience and adventure, making it one of the best Gulf Coast destinations for beach lovers.
What are beaches like in Naples, Florida?
Naples, Florida, is on the Gulf of Mexico, and the water is calm and peaceful.
The wide beaches are full of soft white sand, with plenty of beautiful shells.
I personally think the best time to go to the beach in Naples is in the morning or late afternoon, particularly spring through fall, as the sun can be quite hot at midday and in the afternoon. (Lots of people disagree with me on that, and so the beaches are always busy, even at the highest point of the day.)
I also love going to the beach in Naples in the evening to see the sunset. The west coast of Florida is one of the few places in the East Coast of the United States where you can see the sun set over the water. These sunsets are pretty spectacular, so you don’t miss it!
Tips for a Naples Beach Day
Parking is the biggest challenge at Naples beaches, so if you can, stay at a beachfront hotel or a hotel or rental within walking distance of the beach. It will be well worth it!
If staying in walking distance from the beach isn’t possible, plan to arrive early to find a parking spot, especially on weekends. Many access points use meters ($5 per hour with a $2.50 minimum), and some lots accept payment by phone.
Note that most access points only have parking for cars with resident permits. Because of limited parking at all Naples beaches, plan to arrive early or expect to spend time looking for a parking space.
You’ll want to bring plenty of sun protection as shade is limited once you’re on the sand. I recommend packing lots of high SPF sunscreen–I like this one the best. Also bring coverups, sun shirts, and hats. You might even want to pack a beach umbrella.
If you plan to shell, go early in the morning around low tide for the best finds.
Alcohol and pets are not permitted at most beaches.
And finally, stay for sunset if you can — the skies over the Gulf of Mexico are often spectacular, with shades of orange and pink lighting up the horizon.
Final Thoughts
Naples’ beaches each offer something a little different, whether it’s the family-friendly atmosphere of Lowdermilk Park, the natural beauty of Delnor-Wiggins Pass, or the iconic pier experience at Naples Municipal Beach. With a little planning for parking and timing, you can enjoy some of the most beautiful stretches of sand on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
