Why the Best Beaches in Naples Are Some of Florida’s Finest?

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If you are looking to experience ultimate relaxation and total serenity, why not consider heading to the best beaches in Naples, Florida! Having visited various beaches scattered around the Sunshine state, we both agree that Naples is home to some of the finest beaches around. There is nothing quite like taking a morning stroll on the pristine golden sand beaches while listening to the waves crashing into the shoreline. This is the type of experience you can expect when you spend time in Naples.

For many years, the coveted title of the best beach in Florida has been shared by a number of spots around the state. Understandably there is a lot of personal preference that goes into this decision but if we had any kind of input, we would certainly include Naples beaches in this debate.

best beaches in naples

During our visit to the TBEX travel bloggers conference in Fort Lauderdale in 2015, we took a road trip through Everglades National Park to experience driving from Miami to Naples. Not only did we experience everything the beautiful city of Naples had to offer, we were also able to relax on these beaches and appreciate why this is such a popular tourist destination for beach lovers around the world.

Best Beaches in Naples

Let’s take a look at what are considered to be the best beaches in Naples. There are several that line the Gulf of Mexico on the western coast of Florida so it’s no surprise to hear that Naples is a popular spot for visitors to the Sunshine state.

best beaches in naples florida

Bonita Beach

Our first stop saw us visit Bonita Beach which was once a fishing village and now transformed into an upscale beach community. We caught our first glimpse of the Gulf of Mexico after spending all our time on the Atlantic side before crossing through the Everglades to experience the breathtaking beaches in Naples.

bonita beach naples

Bonita Beach is the closest beach to I-75, so it’s unsurprising to hear that this is a popular spot for tourists who want to spend some time relaxing before heading back on the road. Alternatively, for locals and visitors alike, there are plenty of nearby accommodation options where you can admire the Gulf of Mexico or take an early morning stroll on the pristine beaches.

best beaches in naples

Bonita Beach Park is a haven for party lovers. But for those of you that prefer a more relaxed environment, don’t worry Bonita Beach has plenty to offer everyone. It is a family friendly stretch of beach with a playground, picnic tables and a burger shack that offers visitors the opportunity to grab a bite to eat while enjoying the surroundings. If you venture a little further north, there are plenty of quieter beach access points.

Barefoot Beach Preserve Park

For those that prefer to avoid large crowds, a visit to Barefoot Beach Preserve Park in Naples will likely be your preferred choice. This location is the ultimate relaxation spot especially late in the day when the sun is setting and you can admire the gorgeous surroundings. Lush mangroves provide a scenic backdrop along with the crisp sound of waves crawling up the untouched beach.

A nature trail, butterfly garden and access to park rangers offer a completely different experience to your traditional beach so for those that love the outdoors and want to learn at the same time, this is yet again a perfect location. Unfortunately, we were not able to spend much time at Barefoot Beach but a return visit here is high on our list the next time we head to Naples!

Clam Pass Park

For the nature lovers out there, a journey aboard a tram along the 3/4 mile boardwalk to reach Clam Pass Park will be an intriguing reason to visit this Naples beach.

best beaches in naples florida

Due to the location in close proximity to a variety of habitats, Clam Pass Park is home to a wide range of wildlife and bird species. Be sure to stay on the lookout because you never quite know what bird will be watching over you!

best beaches in naples florida

Vanderbilt Beach

One of the busiest spots along this stretch of coastline can be found at Vanderbilt Beach, primarily because it is home to a large number of high-rise resorts and other Naples accommodations. Visitors can relax in their condo before taking a stroll outside onto the beach while enjoying the beautiful white sand that typically represents the Gulf of Mexico shoreline in Florida.

vanderbilt beach naples florida

Why not take a hike along the beach one morning to the aforementioned Clam Pass Park! Miles and miles of immaculate beaches can be found in this part of Naples though again I want to reiterate that this is a popular spot for those interested in late night parties and perhaps one or two folks will be found stumbling along the beach after one too many beverages.

best beaches in naples florida

We were fortunate to be able to take a morning stroll here before the crowds started arriving but I can certainly understand why this is one of the busiest spots in Naples.

best beaches in naples

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park

When you start thinking about the best beaches in Naples, it’s likely you will consider Delnor-Wiggings Pass State Park at the very top of the list. In fact, it’s fair to say that this beach may well qualify for the list of the best beaches around the United States…it’s that spectacular!

best beaches in naples florida

Located in an area void of any high-rise condominiums and developed landscapes, Delnor-Wiggins offers an all-natural environment with perfectly pristine beaches and gorgeous scenery. It’s no surprise to hear that that this is a popular spot which may be a turn-off for many but when you see the inherent beauty here, you will quickly realize that struggling to find a parking space is well worth the effort.

best beaches in naples

Visitors to Delnor-Wiggins will be able to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere while admiring the breathtaking views. Meanwhile for the more adventurous folks out there, opportunities to snorkel the reef and enjoy awesome fishing are all popular activities here.

best beaches in naples florida

Why Visit Naples, Florida?

Whether you are heading to the northern part of Naples to visit Bonita Beach or perhaps the southern beaches on Marco Island, there are plenty to choose from. Many of these beaches offer secluded spots away from the hustle and bustle of city life and certainly offer a relaxing experience second to no other locations around the state.

best beaches in naples florida

Naples beaches are stereotypically associated with seashells and a rich array of wildlife that spend time relaxing on these shorelines (I don’t blame them, it’s pretty awesome here!) For those of you that are a little more adventurous, jet-skiing, sailing and kayaking are all popular activities along this stretch of Naples beach.

best beaches in naples

A visit to Naples is more than just spending time on the beach, though as you can see from the plethora of amazing options, it’s conceivable that you would want to spend your whole trip on the gorgeous white sands. Perhaps you will be inspired to take a trip to Naples Zoo or maybe just take a wander around the downtown neighborhood to satisfy your retail therapy needs.

best beaches in naples

Regardless of what you choose to do, the amazing beaches will always be ready to provide entertainment and a relaxing setting.

Summary

I am not surprised at all to hear that Naples beaches are considered to be among the best throughout the state of Florida. Whether you prefer a secluded beach environment or perhaps a lively scene with plenty of beach activities to get involved with, Naples is home to a variety of beaches (more than I covered here!) that you should want to explore.

For the beach lovers out there, Naples offer a paradise parallel to some of the most breathtaking beaches around the world. It may not be the first place you think about visiting for the ultimate beach vacation but after spending some time here, I am convinced that a return visit will likely be on your radar!

Have you experienced the best beaches in Naples, Florida? Are you a beach lover or do you prefer to head away from the pristine sands to explore the destination?

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Chris Boothmanhttps://abritandasoutherner.com
Chris Boothman is the co-founder of A Brit and A Southerner. Born near Manchester, England, Chris moved to USA in 2006 where he soon after met his wife and travel partner in crime, Heather. They have since embarked on an amazing journey of travel as they challenge others to follow in their paths of working full-time but also being able to travel frequently! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Chris at [email protected]

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