10 Best Beaches in Naples

Naples Beach offers a variety of restaurants armed with outdoor patios, intriguing shops to visit, and a farmers market on Saturdays, all just a mile from the heart of downtown. While it might be more populated than some other beaches, this is a great place to visit when you want the true tourist experience.

The historic Naples Beach Pier, which juts out 1,000 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, is located here and is perfect for photo opportunities and selfies. From lazing in the sun and playing volleyball to catching a romantic sunset, strolling onto the pier for a cold drink, or taking a walk through Gordon’s Pass, there’s a little bit of everything here.

Lowdermilk Park is a green space filled with picnic tables, showers, barbecues, and restrooms, plus a beach, making it an ideal spot for families. Located north of downtown in a residential neighborhood the beach here is also a wonderful spot to catch a sunset.

If you're looking for a bit more excitement, you can rent paddleboards here. Additionally, there is a concession shop that has chairs for rent as well as an array of snack foods like fries and cold drinks.

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is home to wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles, as well as great places to hike and take scenic photographs. Comprising over 200 acres, the park is located on Florida's southwest coast near Naples and filled with beautiful stretches of beach.

For water sports, you can kayak, canoe, or paddleboard on the many waterways, including the shaded and hidden Cocohatchee River. Watersport equipment, as well as umbrellas and chairs, are available to rent here.

Bonita Beach is a family-friendly spot where visitors can enjoy activities such as surfing, seashell hunting, and lounging in the sun. Located just 15 miles from downtown, this beautiful beach is known for its clear waters and white sands.

In addition to plenty of areas to swim in, there are also places where you can fish, explore dunes, and have a picnic. For a more adventure-filled experience, there’s also the opportunity to enjoy watersports like parasailing. Parking and restaurants are available nearby, making this a great place to spend a day.

Visiting the Barefoot Beach County Preserve is great for a more secluded nature experience, thanks to its 342 acres of undeveloped land and beaches stretching for a mile to explore. The preserve is located on a barrier island 40 minutes from downtown Naples on the southwest coast.

Some activities you can enjoy here include spotting seashells and sand dollars, swimming, surfing, or bathing in the sun. Additionally, there are also dunes and nature trails to walk. When walking a nature trail, sometimes it’s possible to see bottle-nosed dolphins and turtles.

Vanderbilt Beach is home to several high-end hotels and numerous restaurants and bars, making it ideal for travelers who are interested in experiencing the nightlife interspersed with the beach. Located 16 minutes from the heart of downtown, Vanderbilt Beach is a popular and often busy beach.

You can arrive early to beat the crowds and set up your spot before enjoying a stroll along the shore, or you can visit to enjoy the nearby amenities like shops or restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a bite or a drink in the beach air.

Tigertail Beach is a secluded beach with scenic landscapes, including the bird-filled Sand Dollar Island, making it a calm and relaxing place to visit. The beach is located just off the Naples shore and is part of Marco Island.

Tigertail Beach Park offers a playground for kids, as well as full facilities, so it's ideal for a family day out. From frolicking on the white-sand beach to exploring the tidal pools to taking in a gorgeous sunset, there's plenty here to keep the whole family happy.

Clam Pass Park features small waves and an overall calm atmosphere that could be perfect for a family with younger children. The beach is nestled in a 35-acre wilderness area and is the perfect spot to search for wildlife, including shorebirds and turtles. The entire beach is 3,200 feet long and is composed of white sand and low coastal vegetation. Clam Pass Park is located in North Naples.

You have the option of taking a tram that runs from 8 am to sunset or strolling the boardwalk to the beach. Additionally, the beach comes outfitted with restrooms as well as a small restaurant. Also, free loaner life jackets are available, and you can ask for a beach wheelchair.

Lovers Key Beach is a beautiful beach with 2.5 miles of white sand and is often a great place to find seashells and shark teeth that have washed ashore. The beach is located about 45 minutes from downtown. In years past, the beach was only accessible by boat, but now there’s a tram that arrives upon its southside and trails that you can travel on foot.

Besides just relaxing on the beach or swimming, you can also canoe or kayak here. Fishing is also an option, but you may require a license to do so. True to its name, Lovers Key Beach is known as a quiet, romantic beach area, perfect for a couples getaway.

Keewaydin Island is a pet-friendly, undeveloped barrier island that's filled with wildlife and 8 miles of nearly untouched white-sand beach, and it's accessible only by boat. The island is a few miles south of downtown Naples, and you reach it by water taxi, by renting a boat or bringing your own, or by booking a guided shelling tour that brings you to the island.

While the island doesn't feature amenities such as showers, restrooms, or even electricity, you can buy items such as hot dogs, ice cream, and beers from the burger boat that serves the island.