Best Beaches Naples Florida
The best beaches in Naples Florida are hidden gems. With vibrant turquoise water and soft-sand beach shorelines, you can’t go wrong with any of these picks for a perfect beach day.
Gulf Coast beaches tend to have a more laid-back vibe than their East Coast counterparts, making them an ideal getaway for families, a romantic couples trip, or any time when you just need to get away from it all. Here’s what you need to know about the beaches close to Naples, Florida. And when you tire of the beaches or just want to get out of the sun for a bit, check out other things to do in Naples Florida.
Where is Naples, Florida?
Naples is located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, in a stretch often called the Paradise Coast, on the Gulf of Mexico. It is almost exactly across the state on the other side from Fort Lauderdale, with only the Everglades in between.
Interstate 75 is the main highway that gets you to Naples from almost anywhere. I-75 crosses the state from Fort Lauderdale to Naples and then turns northward. If you’re coming from areas further north on the Gulf Coast, like Sarasota or Tampa, you’ll take I-75 south to get there.
Although Naples does have a small airport, if you’re flying into the area, you’ll likely fly into the Southwest Florida International Airport, about 40 miles north near Fort Myers.
Where Should I Go to the Beach in Naples?
What is most interesting about the beaches in the area around Naples is that they all have their own unique features. This means that picking the right beach for exactly what you want to do on your beach day does take a bit of thought. Here are some of the beaches that you may want to explore. As the largest city in Collier County, Naples has some of the best-known beach facilities in the Naples area.
Naples Pier
The most famous location is the historic Naples Pier beach. The pier was originally built in 1888 and extended 1,000 feet out into the Gulf, with restrooms and a concession stand halfway out.
After damage in 2017 from Hurricane Irma, a project started to reinforce the pier structure. But then in 2022, Hurricane Ian completely devastated the pier. The damage was so extensive that plans were made for a new pier to replace the old one. It is planned to honor the historic vibe of the original pier, but with better construction to make it able to withstand future hurricanes.
Then, in October 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton added to the damage. According to the Naples government website, the pier will be rebuilt, and only a portion is open at this time.
Even though the pier won’t be open for a while, the beach area there is open for business. As of early 2024, 36 of the 39 beach access points are open. These locations provide access to gorgeous white sandy beaches with tranquil gulf waters.
If you don’t have a city or county beach permit, then paid parking is available by the hour.
Naples Pier is located at 25 12th Ave. S. It’s open year-round, 24 hours a day.
Lowdermilk Park
A short distance north from Naples Pier is Lowdermilk Park. Like the pier area, this gorgeous beach area also offers a variety of amenities. Some of the features include restroom and shower facilities, gazebos that can be rented, picnic tables, a playground, a concession stand, and sand volleyball courts. There also are beach access mats for those with ADA needs, and the concession stand offers beach wheelchairs for rent.
Continuing north, the next two beaches are incredibly popular with both locals and tourists alike: Clam Pass Park and Vanderbilt Beach.
Lowdermilk Park is located at 1301 Gulf Shore Blvd. N. It’s open year-round 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Clam Pass
At Clam Pass, parking is located about a 15-minute walk from the beach, but there is a free tram to shuttle you back and forth. Within a short walk of the beach, you’ll find a variety of restaurants, from casual to upscale, and lots of incredible seafood. The beach itself is family friendly with a three-quarters of a mile boardwalk for beach access that takes you through a variety of native plants. This beach also has standard amenities, plus a life jacket loaner program.
Clam Pass is located at 465 Seagate Drive. This beach is open year-round 8:00 a.m. to sunset.
Vanderbilt Beach Park
As the name might imply, Vanderbilt Beach is located near several upscale hotels and restaurants. During the peak of tourist season, this beach can see more crowds than some other beaches.
Because of its popularity, the beach is kept in pristine condition. It also boasts some of the most beautiful sunsets along the Gulf Coast.
Like the Naples Pier area, this beach and its surrounding businesses were hit very hard with winds and storm surge from Hurricane Ian and Helene. Most businesses have been rebuilt and reopened, but the storm did leave some permanent marks on the area with some buildings that had to be demolished.
Staying at a resort at Vanderbilt Beach is a fantastic option, but if you aren’t planning to stay there, you can still find beach chair and cabana rentals at locations along the beach. The waters are incredibly clear and the area is popular for snorkeling.
You’ll find Vanderbilt Beach Park at 100 Vanderbilt Beach Road. It’s open year-round 8:00 a.m. to sunset.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
At the north end of Naples is Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. Like the other beaches of Naples, this beach offers beautiful sandy beaches. But the real draw of this beach is the abundance of activities for people who like to stay active.
Some of the activities in this state park include snorkeling and scuba diving, boating and fishing, hiking and geocaching, and canoeing and kayaking. The beach differs greatly from the polished elegance of Vanderbilt Beach and has a more rustic vibe. The area is also great for watching wildlife, including a variety of birds, dolphins, fish, and other sea life.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is located at 11135 Gulf Shore Drive. The beach is open year-round from 8:00 a.m. to sunset.
Dog Beach Park
Even though it is technically in Bonita Springs to the north instead of Naples itself, an honorable mention has to be given to Dog Beach Park. Most of the beaches in Naples do not permit pets. Dog Beach is the exception. It is a tidal flat area, and so at certain times of high tides, this area may have wading-deep water.
This is a beach where you can bring your dog out and let Fido run free. There’s a shower to rinse your dog off when you’re done, but otherwise, there’s not much else to this area except a place for dogs to run in the surf and sand.
Dog Beach is located at 14436 Bonita Beach Causeway in Bonita Springs.
Where to Stay In Naples
As you can see, the beaches throughout Naples truly do offer something for everyone! Our favorite hotel in Naples is either the Inn on Fifth or the Naples Grand Beach Resort. We have stayed at both, and they are both exceptional. Both are close to the beach. Read our review of the Inn on Fifth Luxury Hotel and Naples Grand Beach Resort Hotel.
If you’re looking for a more budget friendly hotel, Hyatt House is a little over a mile from the beach.
Marco Island Beaches Close to Naples
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the barrier island of Marco Island beaches as they are so close and have a completely different feel. Marco Island is located approximately 30 minutes south of Naples.
There are two primary beach areas open to the public: South Beach (to the south, of course) and Tigertail Beach to the north. Naples is more of a city, whereas Marco Island is actually a barrier island and has more of a laid-back beach feel.
South Beach
The two may be on the same island, but the two main Marco Island beaches couldn’t be more different. If you’re looking for the traditional beach fun experience of lounging in the sun or taking to the water for kayaking, standup paddleboarding, or jet skiing, then South Beach is the choice for you. South Beach also offers wonderful restaurants and plenty of amenities to make your beach day the best.
South Beach is located at 671 County Rd. 951 in Marco Island. The beach is open year-round, sunrise to sundown.
Tigertail Beach
If natural life is more your speed, Tigertail Beach is the better choice. This area offers a lagoon beach with mangrove trees and plenty of places for bird watching with a more traditional beach area nearby.
Because of its focus on nature as part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, this area isn’t as built up as South Beach. Tigertail Beach is also a popular spot for shell collectors. You might also spot dolphins, sea turtles, or horseshoe crabs in the area. It is the beach to choose if you like nature.
Tigertail Beach is located at 430 Hernando Drive in Marco Island. It’s open year-round, sunrise to sundown.
It is also worth noting that there are two other beach areas near Marco Island: Keewaydin Island to the north and the Ten Thousand Islands to the south. A portion of the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge is accessible by car, but most of the area and all of Keewaydin Island are best accessed by boat.
Where to Stay in Marco Island
The Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa and the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort are both great choices for an upscale beach vacation. Marco Beach Ocean Suites is a little bit of a less expensive option.
What To Bring with You for a Day at the Beach
For a beach day in Naples, there are a few necessities. Protection from the sun is important, including sunscreen, a sun hat, or even a beach umbrella.
You will want to bring drinks but leave the alcohol behind. Most public beaches around Naples do not permit alcohol on the beach. Also, avoid anything in glass containers, as you don’t want to risk having broken glass in the sand.
Toss in a couple of beach towels for both sitting on the sand and drying off after heading into the water.
If you plan to do some shell collecting, a small bucket can be useful to help carry your special finds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the beaches open in Naples after recent hurricanes? Hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton all made landfall in southwest Florida in the last few years, causing billions of dollars in damage along their path. Although it has taken a while to recover, a lot of the restoration work has been completed and Naples is open for business and happy to welcome visitors. Some facilities, like the Naples Pier, are not yet fully open, but more and more businesses and beach access points open every month. For the latest information, check the City of Naples website.
What are the hours of beaches in Naples? Beach hours vary, with some open only from around 8:00 a.m. to sunset and others open 24 hours. In addition to checking the hours of beaches before you go, make sure to look at the hours for parking, as those may not be the same as the beach hours, especially for the beaches that are open 24/7.
Are the beaches in Naples free? The beaches in Naples are free, but parking is not. City or county residents can obtain a beach parking permit. For everyone else, paid parking options include metered and daily parking areas, and some beaches have a “per car” fee for entry, which includes parking. The price for parking, and the availability, varies by beach.
Top Tips
Wear shoes. Shoes are an important accessory for your beach day. Aside from the fact that the sand can get incredibly hot, most of the beaches have a long boardwalk to get from parking areas to the beach. I think Teva sandals are the most comfortable for beach days.
Always use sunscreen. Even when it’s cloudy, bring and use sunscreen. Don’t be deceived that you can’t get burned by the sun just because it’s behind the clouds.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Most people don’t know when they’re dehydrated until it’s too late. Warning signs are lightheadedness when standing up, headache, and dry mouth. If you’re thirsty, drink water.
Pay attention to warning flags. Not all beaches have warning flags, but if you do see them, heed the warnings. Similar to traffic signals, green means the beach is safe for swimming, yellow means to take caution, and red means do not swim. These warnings are based on conditions you may not be aware of, so please pay attention to them. In addition to the current warnings, a double red flag means the beach is closed, and a purple flag means to be cautious of dangerous marine life, like jellyfish or sting rays.
More Beaches Close to Naples That Are Worth the Trip
Longboat Key Florida Beaches (about 2 hours drive)
Siesta Key Beaches (about 1 hour 45 minutes drive)
Best Anna Maria Island Beaches (about 2 hours 15 minutes drive)
