When you're looking for the best beaches in the United States, Florida is clearly a very obvious and ideal place to start. The Sunshine State, as it is affectionately known, is perhaps best-known for its world-famous theme parks like Disney's Magic Kingdom and Epcot, with the Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure parks also standing out as some of the state's top attractions. Florida is one of America's biggest tourist hotspots, with many people heading for locations like Orlando to check out the theme parks and ride the rides, but there's so much more to Florida beyond these man-made attractions.
More ideas: Best Weekend Getaways, Best Day Trips
The natural side of the state can leave you breathless time and time again, so no vacation to Florida can be complete with exploring the state's national parks like the Everglades and its many world-class beaches like Clearwater and Sanibel Island. Another lesser-known but immensely beautiful beach area in Florida is Naples. Located down in Collier County on the Gulf Coast, Naples is seen as quite an exclusive, wealthy city. Row after row of incredible, enormous homes fill the tree-lined streets and lots of upscale shopping areas and fancy restaurants can be found around the city, but Naples is also a very welcoming place that draws in a good number of tourists each year without ever being too crowded or noisy.
Naples Florida Beach Guide
Naples is a super city to visit. Simply walking along the streets and admiring the various extravagant residences can be a joy or taking to the water for a boat tour is also another fun way to spend a day here. One of the best things to do in Naples is to simply visit one or more of the city's numerous breathtaking beaches. Whether you're watching the sun go down on Naples Pier or sunbathing at Lowdermilk Park, you'll find this to be one of the best beach cities in the world.
Naples Beach
This is perhaps the most iconic beach in Naples because it's home to the famous and very popular Naples Fishing Pier. Easy to access from the city, Naples Beach has been beloved by locals and 'in the know' tourists for many decades. Not a single day goes by without people gathering here in the evenings to watch the sun go down, and the early evening views at Naples Beach are simply unparalleled anywhere in the world. The pier is a prime spot for fishing, but it's also a nice little boardwalk to stroll along and admire the views, perhaps even spotting some pelicans or a few dolphins playing and splashing further out to sea.
Delnor Wiggins Pass
Located in the northern side of Naples and regarded as perhaps the best beach in the city and even one of the best beaches in all of Florida, Delnor Wiggins Pass is an untouched, natural spot for people of all ages to enjoy. You won't find any big hotels or fancy restaurants here; it's a 100% pure and pristine beach. Lots of activities can be enjoyed at Delnor Wiggins Pass, including fishing and swimming, but one of the best things to do is get here early in the day and claim one of the many BBQ grills to enjoy some tasty treats with friends or family.
Marco Island
There are actually several beaches over on Marco Island. Some of them are open to the public, while others are private, so you'll need to pay attention to the signs and see where the crowds are gathering to distinguish between the open and closed beaches. Either way, this island is definitely a must-visit location for your Naples trip. The big beach at the southern end of the island is one of the best public areas, offering exceptionally soft sands and good water conditions for wading and swimming. The amenities here are pretty basic, so you might want to pack a picnic and bring your own beach umbrella or tent for shade, but you can spend a lot of time relaxing and sunbathing on Marco Island beaches.
Lowdermilk Park
Situated down in Old Naples, Lowdermilk Park is a very popular Naples beach for families. There are a lot of amenities and facilities here, so it's the perfect place to come for a stress-free day without having to worry about going anywhere else for food or restrooms or other necessities. Several picnic areas can be found here as well as concessions, clean restrooms, public showers, volleyball courts, wheelchair ramps, and more. This beach is also really close to the downtown district of Naples, so if you're renting a place or staying in a hotel in the middle of town, you can walk here with ease.
Barefoot Beach
The name of this beach tells you a lot about it. Barefoot Beach is, of course, best experienced with bare feet due to the exceptionally soft, sugary sands you can find here. It's another one of Naples' best beaches for watching the sunset, with a really romantic vibe that couples will adore. It's also one of the trickier beaches to access, meaning that you won't ever have to worry about big crowds and lots of noise here. The atmosphere at Barefoot Beach is calm and soothing all year long and there are some lovely scenic walks and trails to check out nearby. Beach amenities include restrooms, showers, and picnic areas.
