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. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.
1.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.
2.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.
3.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.
, OH4.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.
5.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.
6.More Info
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.
5 Best Beaches in Naples, Florida
- Naples Beach, Photo: lunamarina/stock.adobe.com
- Delnor Wiggins Pass, Photo: lunamarina/stock.adobe.com
- Marco Island, Photo: tonktiti/stock.adobe.com
- Lowdermilk Park, Photo: SailingAway/stock.adobe.com
- Barefoot Beach, Photo: lunamarina/stock.adobe.com
- More Info, Photo: Gabriele Maltinti/stock.adobe.com
- Cover Photo: Courtesy of jovannig - Fotolia.com
More Ideas: Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
Naples Zoo is an institute that is run on a nonprofit basis and is ranked as one of the top in the country for the conservation of wildlife. The admission fees go towards maintaining the upkeep of the zoo and its animals whilst also going towards supporting animals in the wild. The zoo sets out to assist in the conservation of wildlife as well as teach people to value and respect nature.
The site of the zoo was first started as a garden project by Dr Henry Nehrling, a botanist who bought the land in order to protect his collection of rare plants in 1919. After his death, the site later became open for public visits as what we now know as the “Caribbean Gardens.” It wasn’t until 1969 that the park opened with the rare animal collection of Larry and Nancy Jane Tetzlaff. To this day, the Tetzlaff family still plays a big part in the upkeep of the zoo
The top attractions at the zoo include a visit to the Lions Lair, a large meshed-off enclosure which, as you may have guessed, is home to the zoo’s lions. If that doesn’t sound thrilling enough for you, why not check out Alligator Bay, Home to Alligator mississippiensis or the American alligator as its more commonly known. Here you can witness these giant alligators being hand-fed by the zookeepers.
A lot of visitors agree that their favourite part of the zoo is a lovely cruise around Lake Victoria, where visitors can expect to see several different types of endangered primate, such as the ring-tailed lemurs and buff-cheeked gibbons, to name a few. Each species of primate inhabits their very own Pirate Monkey Island, a must-see for any visitor, although watch out as some mischievous primates do tend to launch the occasional poo cannonball at passing boats. The Primate Expedition Cruise comes free with the price of admission and visitors can feel free to take the cruise as many times as they want.
Fancy becoming a zoo keeper? Well, Naples Zoo offers a wide range of internships, volunteer roles, and field trips for schools, and younger children aged 3 to 5 have the chance to join the Safari Squad. All of these opportunities give any up-and-coming zoologist a chance to study a variety of different live animals. You’ll have your work cut out for you, however, as the zoo has around 70 different species, each as weird and wonderful as the next.
Address
1590 Goodlette Road, Naples, Florida, FL 34102, Phone: 239-262-5490
Back to: Things to Do in Naples
More Ideas: The Inn on Fifth
The Inn on Fifth is a luxurious boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Naples on Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast. Situated on the fashionable Fifth Avenue South in the center of the celebrated shopping, dining, and entertainment district, the Inn on Fifth offers style and sophistication with 119 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, including 32 luxurious Club Level Suites located in a separate, private building. Upscale amenities include the intimate Spa on Fifth, a fully equipped fitness center and gym, an award-winning restaurant, Truluck's Steak, Seafood and Crabhouse, and premium concierge services. Ideally located for enjoying all the sights and sounds of downtown Naples, The Inn on Fifth is a short walk from several restaurants, bars, boutique shops and nightclubs, as well as a beautiful beach and the ocean.
Guest Accommodations
The Inn on Fifth features 119 well-appointed and stylishly decorated guest rooms and suites, including 32 luxurious Club Level Suites, which are located in a separate building and offer extra levels of luxury and privacy. All accommodations boast a contemporary design with modern furnishings, king or queen-size pillow top beds with luxurious bedding, en-suite bathrooms with shower/bath combinations and furnished Juliet balconies or terraces with vibrant streetscape views. Guest rooms and suites range from Deluxe and Plaza Rooms to Deluxe View Rooms, Junior Suites, Royal Suites and Terrace Suites. All rooms feature modern amenities including flat screen televisions with cable channels, telephones with voicemail services, mini-fridges, coffee makers, hair dryer and complimentary wireless Internet.
Four luxurious Terrace Suites offer contemporary style with 550-square-feet of space that opens onto large balcony terraces with spectacular views over the vibrant Fifth Avenue. These beautifully-appointed suites feature king-size beds dressed in designer linens, and en-suite Italian marble bathroom with walk-in showers, Jacuzzi tubs, thick towels, bathrobes and slippers and organic bath products. Separate living rooms have comfortable queen-size pull out sofas for additional guests, work desks and chairs, and flat-screen televisions with cable channels.
Dining
The Inn on Fifth is home to two award-winning restaurants – the popular, perennial Naples favorite, Truluck’s Seafood Steak and Crabhouse, and the acclaimed modern American restaurant and lounge, Ocean Prime, owned by renowned restaurateur Cameron Mitchell. Truluck’s Seafood Steak and Crabhouse specializes in fresh seafood, succulent steaks and Florida stone crab, along with 100 wines by the glass, served in a casual, cosmopolitan, and stylish ambiance. The award-winning Ocean Prime features two private dining rooms and serves a menu that specializes in pairing ocean-fresh seafood and prime steaks, with delectable sushi, appetizers, and desserts.
Amenities and Recreation
Guests staying at the Inn on Fifth and Club Level Suites enjoy an array of signature services and amenities, including 24-hour concierge services, the award-winning Spa on Fifth with sauna and steam rooms, and a 24-hour fitness center, with state-of-the-art fitness equipment including Nautilus® Pro Strength training and Technogym® cardiovascular exercise equipment. The hotel features a rooftop swimming pool and hot tub, the acclaimed Truluck Steak, Seafood and Crabhouse and Ocean Prime restaurants, two Tesla vehicle chargers, and complimentary self-parking and valet parking service. Additional guest services include laundry and dry cleaning services, a fully equipped business center with computers and printing, copying and faxing services, complimentary transportation to the beach and downtown area, and guests have golf and tennis privileges at nearby venues. Newspapers from around the world are delivered daily, and there is complimentary wireless Internet throughout the property.
Amenities exclusive to Club Level guests include a personal concierge, private seamless arrival, and check-in, complimentary food and beverage offerings throughout the day and evening including a full bar with premium liquor selections, ports and desserts in the late evening and snacks and drinks throughout the day. Guests also enjoy a turndown service, access to the exclusive rooftop deck with a hot tub, complimentary shuttle Old Naples, complimentary bottled water, and Starbucks coffee in their suites.
Weddings & Events
The Inn on Fifth offers a selection of flexible and modern meeting spaces for special events and functions, along with a range of services and professional event and catering staff. The 1,876-square-foot Palm Ballroom is an elegant ballroom with burgundy carpeting and crystal chandeliers that can accommodate up to 120 guests for banquet dinners and receptions. The Palm Ballroom can be partitioned into smaller rooms for more intimate occasions, including the 1,176-square-foot Queen Palm which can host up to 80 guests, and the 700-square-foot Royal Palm for up to 30 guests.
699 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102, Phone: 239-403-8777
More Ideas: Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club
Located on 125 acres of tropical land along the Gulf of Mexico, the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is a beachfront hotel in Southwest Florida with an onsite golf course, tennis court, and spa. It features 319 newly renovated accommodations, each with their own patio or balcony. Every spot in this luxurious resort offers guests a chance to witness beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico. Guests are also treated to valet parking, zero resort fees, and access to the resort’s fitness center.
With award-winning dining and 34,000 square feet of function space, Naples Beach Hotel is also a fine avenue for occasions of all kinds. With the help of a wide selection of luxurious but modern amenities and packages that are completely customizable for any budget, every event set in this resort is bound to be a memorable one.
The resort boasts a new beachfront Pool complex, Kids Club, four retail shops, and everything else that guests may need. Everything is just within reach so guests won’t need to leave the grounds throughout their stay. More ideas: 26 Best Things to Do in Naples
Naples beach Hotel and Golf Club has 319 renovated rooms that are well appointed in six beachfront buildings. Every room is full of Florida charm with the help of tropical décor integrated neatly with the modern comforts of home. Guests will have wireless internet access in their rooms as well as a flat-screen TV, phone with voicemail, and a personal safe.
The bathrooms have all been remodeled and enlarged with new fixtures, vanities, and showers. Guests also get their own bathrobes, hair dryers, and other bath amenities. There’s also a refrigerator and coffee maker.
Every room features a patio or a balcony that gives access to a wonderful view of the Gulf of Mexico.
The hotel’s accommodations are separated into two groups: the guest rooms and the suites. The guest rooms include the Cabana Room, Florida Room, Tower Room, Watkins Room, and Patio Room floorplans each of which offer a bed, sitting space inside as well as on the patio or balcony, a dressing room, and a bathroom.
Each of these guest rooms has a one-bedroom suite counterpart. The Cabana Suite, Florida Suite, Tower Suite, Watkins Suite, and Penthouse offer more spacious accommodations with a living room, kitchenette, and dining area on top of the other basic amenities.
HB’s on the Gulf is the resort’s signature restaurant and is the only beachfront restaurant on Naples. Its breathtaking views, fresh local seafood dishes and other specials for lunch and dinner are what make the restaurant famous. It has also has consistently been awarded the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence every year since 2005. Guests can opt for indoor and alfresco environments as well.
On the other hand, the Sunset Beach & Bar Grill the restaurant’s beachfront baris one of the best of its kind in Naples. Gulfshore Life Magazine says it’s the best place to catch a sunset in Southwest Florida, while Travel Channel has called it the best beachfront bar in Naples. This recently renovated bar has been expanded and offers big group loungers, chaise lounges, as well as cocktail seats. There’s also an open-air grill for those who want to catch the Florida sunset while dining in the open.
For those who want breakfast, Broadwell’s features an a la carte menu served in an environment that features panoramic views of the resort’s championship golf course. It serves both continental and full breakfast buffets.
Those hitting the pool will also have access to the resort’s the poolside bar which is open from 10 AM until sunset. Meanwhile, those who want more casual meals can go to The Seminole Store, which also happens to be the resort’s general store, just off the hotel lobby. The Lobby Bar which serves meals, snacks, and drinks on indoor and outdoor setups is also just by the main hotel lobby.
Those who don’t want to leave the comfort of their rooms can have food delivered to their accommodations.
Whether it’s a grand wedding or an intimate gathering, Naples Beach Hotel has perfect setting for any given occasion. Weddings are especially catered to within the resort grounds, with guests having the choice of indoor or outdoor and beach venues for the ceremony, reception, and after parties.
The resort’s event planners will assist the guest through every detail.
The indoor traditional ballrooms can hold up to 500 people. The same goes for the outdoor venues, which include the beach, terrace, and lawn.
There’s a customized selection of food for the event menu. Audio and visual technology is available not only for event entertainment but to capture precious moments as well.
Guests receive special gifts as mementos for the event. Guests also have access to recreational activities, the golf and tennis facilities, and the spa.
There are also team building activities that can be arranged depending on the host’s budget to make the event more interesting.
Finally, facilitating the event includes the use of décor, photography services, flower arrangements, transportation, and even tours.
Boasting over 34,000 sq. ft. of customizable function space, the Naples Beach Hotel is one of the largest venues in the area. Its biggest ballroom spans up to 6,283 sq. ft. with a maximum of 20 breakouts. For corporate groups looking for an outdoor meeting venue, the resort has many options:
The Watkins Lawn can hold up to 800 people. The Ocean Lawn and Beach Events venue can hold up to 300 people each. The Chickee can accommodate up to 150 people. Broadwell’s Terrace and Waterlilly’s Terrace can each accommodate 100 people and Moonrise Terrace can accommodate 50 people.
The group can opt for various team building activities – ones that can be customized to fit the group size and budget – along the resort’s 7-miles of white sand beach. Activities like the beach Olympics, scavenger hunts, and more will surely help create a stronger bond between members of the group.
Naples Beach Hotel is a Florida Green Lodging member. It is also a recipient of the Green to Gold Award. These mean that every meeting held at the resort will exceed all environment objectives and social responsibilities. Top that off the resort has been awarded the Pinnacle and Best of the South Awards and is really no less than a world-class resort which is ideal for any meeting or special event.
A visit to the Naples Beach Resort would never be complete without experiencing its world class spa which offers a full range of spa packages and services that promote health and well-being. Experience the most amazing massages, try advanced hydrotherapy, or be pampered by age defying skin treatments and other services.
In addition to rejuvenating at the spa, Naples Beach Hotel also offers Yoga classes to help guests achieve balance in both the mind and body. There will be special classes for different levels. Guests will also be able to build their strength and flexibility with the large physio-ball. Alternatively, guests can also take up meditation to find focus and concentration while relaxing.
Naples Beach Hotel is also home to a popular 18-hole golf course as well as the Mary C. Watkins Tennis Center. The soon-to-be renovated championship golf course will be the result of a par-71 routing plan that has five tees, stretching up to 69,000 yards. There are also special golf lessons and clinics held within the grounds regularly to cater to the learning and improvement of golf players of all levels.
The Mary C. Watkins Tennis Center, on the other hand, is the place for personalized games for tennis players of all skill levels. There are four US PTA teaching professionals available for those who want to improve their game through private lessons and clinics in one of six hydro-grid courts. Meanwhile, there’s a shop that’s stocked with all kinds of tennis gear and accessories.
Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club is very accessible to many significant points of destination: 40 minutes from Southwest Florida International Airport; 1 hour and 10 minutes from Charlotte County Airport; 1 hour and 50 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale International Airport and 2 hours from Miami International Airport. More ideas: 26 Best Things to Do in Naples and Romantic Restaurants in Naples.
851 Gulf Shore Boulevard North, Naples, FL 34102-5397, Phone: 239-261-2222
Back to: Florida Weekend Getaways.
