The Beaches of Naples, Florida

Naples, Florida has seven miles of gorgeous white sand beaches along the turqoise, opalesque Gulf of Mexico. They are as beautiful as anything you will find in the Caribbean Islands, and are right here in our own back yard. It is the sub-tropics here and the flora and fauna along the beaches is just as beautiful. A stop in Naples will bring you to the following beaches that you don't want to miss.

First, is Clams' Pass Beach. It is found at the straight end of Seagate Drive at the Naples Grand Hotel once you have crossed over Rt. 41 (Tamiami Tr.) You can access the beach through the tram that rides the boardwalk to the beach or, for you hikers and nature lovers, you can walk the entire boardwalk way and enjoy the scenery, animals, birds and natural beauty. Once at the beach, dotted with colorful umbrellas and chaise lounges, you can see the Gulf stretch for miles into the horizon. There is a full restaurant (Naples Grand) and restrooms and you can rent the umbrellas and chaise lounges if you wish. It is a public beach and anyone can park themselves there at any time. It is a short walk to the actual Clams' Pass, and you can watch canoes and fishermen coming out to the Gulf. Catamarans, wind surfing, and kite sailing can be rented here from the Naples Grand Hotel. This beach has even been the scene of lovely outdoor beach weddings.

Next, is Seagate Beach accessible by Seagate Drive which also curves around to the left and ends at Gulf Shore Blvd. and the high rise condominiums along the beach. This beach has some stone pilings on which perch egrets, seagulls, and pelicans. Dolphin sightings are almost daily here in the beautiful Gulf. This beach is sparsely populated as most people are from the condominiums that are beach front. There are no restrooms, restaurants, or snack bars here, but it is an excellent beach for walking, especially at sunrise and sunset. Bring a picnic lunch and a cooler for beverages as this is also a public beach.

Another beach you don't want to miss is at the Moorings. It is found on Gulf Shore Blvd. The beach is public, but the parking is private for the Moorings residents only. You must have the appropriate Moorings parking sticker for your car to be allowed in the parking lot. But, you can park anywhere on the street or nearby store parking lots to experience this beach and lovely, shaded park. Children can play on the dolphin statuettes, and there are picnic tables available. The beach and Gulf are lovely here, but many of the people at this beach are residents of the Moorings.

Next, is Lowdermilk Park, an entire public park and beach. It is found on Gulf Shore Blvd., also. There are restrooms, snackbar, picnic tables and small park for when you need some shade. There are also beach volleyball courts to the side of the parking lot. This is a truly family beach and you will see many children digging and playing by the Gulf's edge. Many a sandcastle has been known to go up along this beach. The shell hunting is great here also.

Naples Pier and Beach is at 12th Ave. S. and is the most populated beach in all of Naples. How can it not be with the pier here? The pier is a good half mile long walk out into the Gulf to see it up close and personal, along with the pelicans and dolphins. Yes, plenty of dolphin sightings at this beach also. There are beach volleyball courts right on the beach to the left of the pier and this is the hang out for the teenagers and young adults, as well as families and everyone else. There are restrooms at the start of the pier and a snackbar halfway down the pier. Fishing off the side of the pier is offered and there are even troughs for cleaning your fish once you've caught them. You can rent fishing rods right there at the snack bar. The Naples Pier is also where fireworks are set off every New Year's Eve and 4th of July, when the sun goes down. This is one beach you don't want to miss on your trip to Naples.

The rest of the seven miles of beaches can be accessed by any of the sides streets running off Gulf Shore Blvd. They are nice, because they are sparsely populated; usually only the residents from the beach front homes and condominiums and their guests are at these parts of the beaches. Usually these are quiet, adult only beaches and you are away from the hustle and bustle of parking lots and families. There is minimal parking spaces on the sides streets and no restrooms or restaurants or snackbars. Take a picnic lunch and cooler with beverages for a day at the beach.

Naples beaches are lovely, but there are no lifeguards on any of its beaches. You swim at your own risk. There is a beach patrol that drives by from time to time, but if there are any real emergencies you need your cell phone and your own bandaids. There are not many shark sightings at any of the Naples beaches, but be aware that when swimming in the Gulf you are invading the fish's domaine. Public parking at the beaches is $8 per visit or parking meters. Seasonal beach passes can be had at downtown municipal buildings on 8th Avenue S.

I have traveled all over Florida and visited the beaches on both the east and west coast and Naples' beaches by far are the most beautiful, because they are on the gulf and in the sub-tropics. The beaches on the east coast are on the Atlanic Ocean and for those liking oceans, that may be the place for you. But, for all around tropics, beauty, sun, Gulf and climate, Naples Beaches are your best choice. It is warm here year round and that can't be said for all of Florida.

Naples beaches are a gold mine of beauty and pleasure for people of all ages. All of the beaches are pristine clean. Dolphin sightings are nearly everyday, especially at Seagate and the Naples Pier. When in Florida, don't miss the opportunity to experience a Naples beach.