In general, Florida is a hot-spot in the US for its beaches. One of my favorite locations for amazing beaches is Naples. I’ve compiled a list of the best beaches in Naples, Florida along with everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
Barefoot Beach
How to Get Here
Barefoot Beach is located off of Barefoot Beach Blvd (who would’ve guessed). However, you will initially get here by turning onto the Boulevard by entering off of Bonita Beach Road/Highway 865.
Drive for 5-10 minutes down Barefoot Beach Blvd, passing by the glamorous homes and clubs on the way, before you reach the parking attendant booth. This is where you will pay or show your parking pass and enter.
Be aware: during the busy season the beach parking will fill up fast and they will close off beach access for additional vehicles.
How Much Does it Cost
Parking will cost $8 if you don’t have a Collier County Beach Pass (you must be a resident in order to obtain this).
What Amenities Does this Beach Offer?
Walking Path in Nature Preserve
Barefoot Beach has a one mile walking path on a nice, elevated boardwalk. The path takes you through some of the preserve, so it’s likely you may see some wild animals. I’ve seen many lizards, gopher tortoises, and even an armadillo here! This is also the path that leads to showers and bathrooms.
Welcome Center/Washrooms
As you walk along the boardwalk, there are several stops for benches or outdoor showers to rinse off. As you continue along, you eventually end up at the washroom and welcome center. The washrooms are typically maintained very well (but I still suggest wearing sandals) and have a small stall designed as a changing room as well inside.
At the welcome center you will also find a whiteboard with daily beach updates (sunrise/sunset, water temperature, tide warnings, etc.), a vending machine (drinks only), and some shaded benches. Barefoot Beach also opts into a Loaner Life Jacket Program. Right outside the welcome center, you are allowed to borrow a lifejacket for the day, if needed.
Anything Else to Know?
The beach can have a lot of shells in certain areas, so if you plan on coming here for a beach walk, I suggest packing appropriate shoes.
Given the beach is also a large nature preserve, keep on the lookout for wild animals! There are large warning signs to make sure you check under your car before leaving as the many gopher tortoises that live here may wander beneath them for shade.
Every so often the beach offers various “nature talks” at their learning center. I recommend calling to find out when and if this is available during your trip if you have young children (or adults!) interested.
Vanderbilt Beach
How to Get Here
One of the most popular and well-known beaches in Naples is Vanderbilt. The main entrance of Vanderbilt is located on the intersection of the south end of Gulf Shore Dr. and the west end of Vanderbilt Beach Rd (someone was coming up with extremely original names for these beach roads).
Here, you will find a roundabout/drop-off area at the main entrance. There are a few spots available for handicap parking, but otherwise this is only a pickup or drop-off zone. Read the next section to learn more about the parking situation.
If you are walking from a nearby hotel or AirBnB then you can either enter at the main entrance or there are several boardwalk paths leading to the beach along Gulf Shore Dr.
How Much Does It Cost?
If you are just getting dropped off by family/friends/ride share, then entrance is free! Just walk on in. However, if you need to park then you will want to utilize either street parking along Vanderbilt Beach Rd or the parking garage just east of the main entrance, about a block up Vanderbilt Beach Rd.
It is $8 to park in the garage, which you will pay the tollbooth assistant. If you park on the street, you can pay by the hour, and it will max out at $8 for the day. Note that the street parking is credit card only.
What Amenities Does this Beach Offer?
Vanderbilt offers some very fun and convenient beach amenities right off of the main entrance. You can rent paddleboards, chairs, and cabanas. There is also a concession stand where you can purchase food, drinks, or beach toys.
There is a large bathroom facility off of the main entrance, which has many stalls and is always in good condition. Near the roundabout at the entrance there are also beach showers for washing off the sand before heading back to your car.
This is another beach that also offers a Loaner Life Jacket program. #SafetyFirst
Anything Else to Know?
The sand at this beach is incredible. It’s soft and white, which makes for a great beach to walk along.
If you want to enjoy an adult beverage with the sunset, I suggest heading to Gumbo Limbo, the beach bar and grill at the Ritz Carlton. While it is a bit pricy, you pay for a fun environment. Usually on nice evenings they pick out a young kid to ring the bell once the sun sets.
Lowdermilk Beach
How to Get Here
Lowdermilk Beach is located right at the intersection of Gulf Shore Blvd N and Banyan Blvd. This is where you will pull into the one-way entrance of the parking lot. If the first section is full, there is one more cluster of spots just attached a bit north.
This beach has very limited parking and fills up fast, so plan your day early if you want to ensure a spot!
How Much Does It Cost?
There is no cost if you are just getting dropped off by friends/family/ride share.
Otherwise, parking costs $3/hour, which you will pay at the parking meters. The meters accept card or quarters. As always, if you have a Collier County Pass, then it is free. Also note, there is additional parking (IF you have the Collier pass) along Gulf Shore Blvd.
What Amenities Does this Beach Offer?
Despite the parking fiasco, there are some great amenities at Lowdermilk Beach! Right off of the parking lots, there are two large sand volleyball courts. There are also large gazebos available to rent (or just sit at to eat or shade if they aren’t rented). If you have kids they may want to check out the playgrounds here.
I also think these are the nicest bathrooms of any Naples beach. There are a ton of stalls, I’ve always seen them clean, and they are also located right off the main entrance next to the parking.
Anything Else to Know?
Lowdermilk Beach also has amazing, soft sand. This is one of my personal favorite beaches in Naples for a mix of the amenities and general scenery here.
Park Shore Beach
How to Get Here
Park Shore Beach is quite tricky to get to compared to these other beaches in Naples. There are a few side roads off of Gulf Shore Blvd N that offer minimal parking spots, and I’ll admit they are usually full (especially around sunset). Because of this, the crowd is typically locals from the nearby condominiums.
How Much Does It Cost?
As stated before, parking is free if you have an up-to-date Collier County Pass. I believe without, it costs $8.
What Amenities Does this Beach Offer?
You will not easily find bathrooms, life jackets, concessions, etc. here. However, the one positive about Park Shore’s location is its distance to The Village Shops at Venetian Bay. You can find plenty of stores and restaurants (and bathrooms!) here.
Anything Else to Know?
Due to the difficulty of finding not only beach access, but beach parking, this wouldn’t be the #1 beach I recommend. However, if you are renting nearby and want to enjoy a quieter, private-y beach, then I would head here. Pack some food and remember that you may need to make a trek to find bathrooms.
Naples Pier and Beach
How to Get Here
There are plenty of beach parking areas off of Gulf Shore Blvd S (think 6-8 spots). The pier itself is off of 12th Avenue, so keep that in mind if you’d like to be close.
How Much Does It Cost?
Parking is $3/hour and meters accept card or quarters only. If you have a Collier Pass or are getting dropped off, there is no payment required.
What Amenities Does this Beach Offer?
The Pier is the highlight of this beach. Here, you will find restrooms, showers, concessions, and benches. You’ll often find many people fishing from off of the pier (just a heads up if you plan to swim to keep a bit of a distance from the lines over here).
Anything Else to Know?
If you have extra time to explore the area before or after the beach, I recommend walking over to 3rd Street. There are a variety of galleries, boutiques, and restaurants.
If you find yourself here during the 4th of July, this is a very popular spot for watching the fireworks. Just mentally prepare that parking is a living nightmare, especially when the show’s over and it’s time to leave.
Clam Pass Beach
How to Get Here
The easiest way to get to Clam Pass is by turning west onto Seagate Dr. from Tamiami Trail (Highway 41). You’ll know you’re at the right spot as you see The Naples Grande Beach Resort on your right. Keep going straight until you make it to the parking lot attendant booth.
How Much Does It Cost?
Clam Pass will cost $8. There is no fee if you have a Collier Beach Pass.
What Amenities Does this Beach Offer?
Since the actual path leading to the beach from the parking lot is 3/4 miles, you can either opt to walk OR there is a free tram that will drop you off.
Once you arrive to the beach, there is a large outdoor seating area with a restaurant and bathrooms. The beach also offers kayak and paddleboard rentals.
Anything Else to Know?
If it is a busy day and you want to take the tram, be sure to note that you may be waiting in line a long time. So either pack accordingly to walk or understand your patience may be tested.
Alright, folks! This concludes my guide to the Best Beaches of Naples, Florida.
You may also enjoy these blog posts: