The only freshwater lake public beach in the Naples area, Sugden Regional Park is most well known for its sailing events and programs, but the 60-acre Avalon Lake is also a great place for kayaking and water skiing. The park rents water sports equipment including paddle boats. A scenic walking trail takes you around the lake, and visitors also enjoy picnicking, playing on the playground, fishing from the pier and relaxing on the sand beach. Water-skiing and sailing lessons are available at this county maintained facility in a quiet neighborhood on the east side of Naples - including instruction for those with special needs.
Recommended for Beaches because: It is the only freshwater lake beach in the Naples area.
Chelle's expert tip: The park is the site of a popular Ice Cream Social held every July to celebrate Parks and Recreation month.
Big Hickory Island holds the community of Bonita Beach, an erstwhile fishing village turned swank. At the island's southernmost end, beach-lovers come to play and shell-seekers to beachcomb. The closest beach to Interstate 75, it attracts a lively crowd of active beach-goers with all sorts of water sports rentals and beach volleyball. Although many come to party at Bonita Beach Park, it is also family friendly with a playground, picnic shelters with tables and grills, beach rentals and a burger joint that feeds you indoors and outdoors. Heading north, you will find about ten additional smaller public beach accesses, with free but limited parking, lining Hickory Boulevard.
Recommended for Beaches because: The closest beach to Interstate 75, it attracts a lively crowd of active beach-goers.
Chelle's expert tip: When hunger strikes, slip into Doc's Beach House for burgers or pizza.
Public beach access is limited on Marco Island. This one, at the southernmost end of the island, is easiest to get to and find, although there is a bit of a walk from the parking lot on the other side of Collier Boulevard. Marco Island boasts a soft sugar-sand brand of beach, wide and usually teeming with activity - volleyball, jet-skiing, parasailing, paddle-boarding, you name it. Set back high-rises line most of the shoreline. Native vegetation grows between development and the sand. The only facilities are restrooms in the parking lot, but there is a restaurant next to the access where you can use the restrooms if you're eating or drinking there.
Recommended for Beaches because: Marco Island has only two public beach accesses, and this is one of them.
Chelle's expert tip: Take a food and drink break at Sunset Grille, just north of the beach access.
This beach adventure begins with a tram ride or walk across a three-quarter-mile boardwalk through a mangrove estuary, so you get to experience at least two different Naples habitats within minutes. The park fronts the Naples Grande Beach Resort, located adjacent to its parking lot, which means it can be heavily populated, especially in the winter and spring season. The lovely coastal habitat spans 35 acres and also includes a tidal bay area where beach-goers can observe wading shorebirds, osprey and other marine life. Boat and cabana rentals are available at the county-operated facility, plus there are restrooms, showers and a resort food concession.
Recommended for Beaches because: Because of its proximity to the Naples Grande resort and a housing development, it is one of Naples' most popular.
Chelle's expert tip: Walk up or down the beach from the public access to lose the crowds.
At Marco Island's northern end, a sand spit peninsula intercepts the sand, stealing the beach from the main island. Sand Dollar Spit is accessible from Tigertail Beach, the public access operated by Collier County, and is known for its sea shells. Meanwhile at Tigertail, a lagoon has formed at the public access and fills with birds, especially in the morning breakfast hours. The access also has playgrounds, water sports rentals, a food concession and restrooms. Walk north for a natural scape and lands protected by the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Reserve. As you head south, high-rises corrupt the view.
Recommended for Beaches because: It rates as a 10-best beach because of its wildlife, facilities and barrier beach features.
Chelle's expert tip: To reach Sand Dollar Spit, you can swim across the lagoon or walk south to where it connects to land.
Vanderbilt Beach in North Naples fronts a line of resorts, including the Ritz-Carlton. The good news is: That affords beach-goers venues for bar-hopping and dining. The bad: It gets crowded and the parking ramp often fills to capacity in season. Plenty of open white sand carpets the beach along the gently lapping Gulf of Mexico. In the quiet early morning hours, beachers can enjoy hunting for sea shells and watching shore birds. You can walk for miles along this stretch, to Clam Pass Preserve Park to the north and along housing developments and residential neighborhoods to the south. Perks such as a concession stand, public restrooms, showers and bike racks appeal to the convenience-concerned crowd.
Recommended for Beaches because: A bustling beach, it is best for those looking for a little bar-hopping and easy feeding while beaching.
Chelle's expert tip: The parking ramp for the public access is a bit of a walk away, but you can drop off charges and gear in the roundabout there.
Lowdermilk Park holds the most full-service facilities of any Gulf of Mexico beach in the Naples area, making it a good fit for families with children. They can gather for picnics in one of the two gazebo pavilions that the park rents out, check out the pond (popular with ducks and other wild birds), play on the two playgrounds and enjoy the calm and safe sea here, away from any rushing pass waters. Other facilities include sand volleyball courts, restrooms and showers, handicap access and beach wheelchairs and a food concession stand. Its close proximity to the downtown area adds to its convenience for visitors of all ages.
Recommended for Beaches because: This is the Naples' area's best beach for families with children.
Chelle's expert tip: Parking costs $3 an hour, payable at stations via cash, credit card or phone app.
A staple in the community for more than 100 years, the Naples Fishing Pier is a must-see attraction close to the downtown goings-on around Third Street South. Once the entry point for those who arrived to Naples by boat, the main mode of transportation in the early days, today its importance lies in the recreational rather than practical realm. Six miles of flawless, white sand meet aquamarine waves that lull beach lovers into relaxation. Bring a rod to try fishing off the pier, or just watch as others reel in their catches. The pier and beach never close, and provide the perfect spot to watch the setting sun dip into the endless sea. It's a nightly ritual for fishermen, strollers, lovers and pelicans.
Recommended for Beaches because: Steps from the downtown area, the Naples Pier makes this the city's most frequented.
Chelle's expert tip: Combine a walk on the beach with a visit to the local shops, bars and restaurants of the Third Street South neighborhood.
This pristine park offers the ideal beach experience complete with tropical hammocks, scenic tidal creeks and lush mangrove swamps. For those who eschew beach crowds, this is usually a good bet, because it is a little trickier to get to - through a neighborhood development mined with speed bumps and roaming gopher tortoises. The 342-acre preserve features a one-mile nature trail, public showers, a picnic area, a concession stand, a butterfly garden and equipment rentals. Rangers give free nature walks and shell talks at the chickee learning center. Its natural, unspoiled quality appeals to wildlife watchers, fishermen and beach bums alike.
Recommended for Beaches because: One of Naples' most natural beaches, it is the best for seeing wildlife.
Chelle's expert tip: The entrance and fee booth to the park is adjacent to the Bonita Beach public park.
Recognized as one of the best beaches in the US, the sandy shore at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is all-natural and devoid of the high rises and development of most of the other local beaches. A nature trail leads to an observation tower at the beach's north end. Fishermen head to the pass to hook into fish being flushed out of the Cocohatchee River. This is a popular park, but you can usually find parking in one of the many lots if you arrive early enough. The park posts a sign on the road leading to it when it is full, but there's another parking lot less than a quarter mile away if you don't mind walking. Picnic areas have grills, restrooms and showers.
Recommended for Beaches because: This is one of Naples' most naturally preserved beaches.
Chelle's expert tip: Avoid swimming in the waters at the pass, which run swiftly and can be a challenge - especially to children.