Good Times & Tan Lines JENNIFER BRINKMAN Paradise Coast beaches will not disappoint. Stretching from Bonita <strong>Spring</strong>s in the north to Marco Island in the south, <strong>Naples</strong>’ beaches offer locals and visitors a variety of activities and atmospheres. Dig your feet into the soft white-sand and enjoy the warm sparkling Gulf of Mexico waters. Visit <strong>Must</strong><strong>Do</strong>.com for additional information on area beaches. JENNIFER BRINKMAN NITA ETTINGER 10 | <strong>Must</strong> <strong>Do</strong> <strong>Visitor</strong> <strong>Guides</strong>
MUST DO BEACHES Concessions <strong>Do</strong>g-Friendly Fishing Parking Restrooms Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park 2 Barefoot Beach Blvd., Bonita Beach Features a boardwalk, one-mile nature trail, showers, picnic area, concession for equipment rental, and food and drink purchases. Handicapped beach wheelchair access. A terrific spot for fishing and shelling. Preserve is 342-acres of unspoiled land and one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida’s west coast. Parking is $8 per vehicle for non-beach parking permit holders. Lowdermilk Park on <strong>Naples</strong> Beach 1301 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., <strong>Naples</strong> Popular beachfront park with a duck pond. The concession stand is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers food and beverage for purchase. Additional amenities include two children’s play areas, sand volleyball courts, picnic tables, and showers. Offers handicap access and beach wheelchair rentals. Beach permit, pay-by-space, and metered parking available for $2.50 per hour. Clam Pass Park 410 Seagate Drive, <strong>Naples</strong> One of the most popular beach access points in the <strong>Naples</strong> area. Stroll the boardwalk or ride the tram to access a 3,200-foot stretch of soft, white-sand beach. Concessions, picnic area, outdoor showers, chairs, cabanas, and watersports equipment rentals are available. Great spot for shelling. Parking is $8 per vehicle for non-beach parking permit holders. <strong>Naples</strong> Beach & Fishing Pier 25 12th Avenue South, <strong>Naples</strong> A community landmark and hub for activity or a popular gathering place to watch a magnificent Gulf of Mexico sunset. Pier fishing is available without a license 24-hours a day. Amenities include restrooms with showers, concession stand with a covered eating area, beach supplies, bait shop, volleyball nets, and handicapped beach wheelchair access. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park 1135 Gulf Shore Drive, <strong>Naples</strong> A 166-acre park offering an opportunity to swim, scuba dive, kayak, or fish along more than one mile of beach rated as one of the best in the United States. Easy access to the beach from five parking lots via a system of connecting trails and boardwalks. Grills, picnic areas, bicycle racks, restrooms with wheelchair access, and outdoor showers are available. Admission is $4-6 per vehicle, $2 for bicyclists or pedestrians. <strong>Do</strong>g Beach Park 8800 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach Give your pet an off-the-leash run on the only county-owned beach where pets are allowed. <strong>Do</strong>ggie shower and disposal stations are available. Owners are required to clean up after their pets. Maximum of two dogs per person allowed. A coastal tideland, therefore the size of the beach varies on the water level and tide. Parking is free. Lovers Key State Park & Beaches 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach Four barrier islands offering biking, wildlife viewing, fishing, and shelling in a pristine setting. Manatees, dolphins, coastal birds, and even bald eagles are often seen. The two-mile long beach is accessible by boardwalk or tram. Kayak, canoe, pedal boat, stand-up paddleboards, beach chairs, and umbrella rentals are available. Park entrance admission fee varies between $2 and $8 depending on the number of occupants and mode of transport. South Marco Beach Access South Collier Blvd., Marco Island One of two public beach access points on Marco Island – and generally the less busy of the two. A great place for families to go shelling, beach fishing, or dolphin watching. Parking and restrooms are available on Swallow Avenue and is a short walk across South Collier Boulevard to the beach. Parking is $8 per vehicle for non-beach parking permit holders. Tigertail Beach 400 Hernando Drive, Marco Island Features an observation tower and is one of the best birding sites in Southwest Florida. Amenities include restrooms, boardwalks, picnic area, playground, and concession stand offering beach equipment rentals, food, and drinks. Go fishing, rent a kayak, or paddleboard to explore the tidal lagoon that separates Tigertail Beach from Sand <strong>Do</strong>llar Spit’s narrow and unspoiled Gulf front beach. Parking is $8 per vehicle for non-beach parking permit holders. Vanderbilt Beach Park 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, <strong>Naples</strong> Gorgeous white sand, great shelling, and bird watching. Amenities include easy handicap accessibility to the beach, concessions offering beach equipment rentals and snacks. There is a parking garage just west of The Ritz-Carlton hotel entrance. The <strong>Naples</strong> Trolley Tour also makes a stop at the beach. Bicycle racks are located close to the beach. Parking is $8 per vehicle for non-beach parking permit holders. JENNIFER BRINKMAN CHECK IT OUT SEA TURTLE NESTING SEASON From May through August hundreds of sea turtles lay their eggs on <strong>Naples</strong> and Marco area beaches. Hatchlings emerge through October to make their way to the water. Please do not approach or disturb nesting females or hatchlings. Remember to fill in any holes dug on the beach, ensuring they have a clear path to make it safely to the Gulf waters. <strong>Must</strong><strong>Do</strong>.com | 11