Within the City of Naples proper are 8.75 miles of beaches running from Clam Pass all the way south to Gordon Pass. You'll find this section of beach is almost never crowded. A few places near larger parks and resorts may draw a small on busy days. You will find everyone kind of spread out here since there are many access points over a large area. The city beaches are lined by high rise condos in the Naples Cay and Park Shore sections, and by midrise condos in the Moorings and Coquina Sands Sections.
The beaches here are no resort island like Sanibel, but further south along Old Naples the beach kept its old Florida charm despite the massive growth of Naples.
Clam Pass Park
Located just south of Pelican Bay along Seagate Drive is one of Southwest Florida’s best beaches. Clam Pass Park has 171 public parking spaces since it is also one of the most popular beach access points, rivaling Vanderbilt Beach.
Parking at Clam Pass is $10 per day and is FREE with a Collier County beach parking permit.
Clam Pass boasts 35 acres of coastal habitat and preserves that habitat by providing beach access from a three-quarter-mile boardwalk to the sandy beach. The Naples Grande Beach Resort is located here and provides a free tram shuttle along the boardwalk to the beach.
At the end of the boardwalk are public restrooms, concessions and the Rhodes End beachside restaurant.
The park offers a landing on the bay to launch small craft and explore the mangrove shores around the area. Kayak rentals are available at the beach for those who want to cross the pass and explore the uncrowded beaches and mangrove shores along Pelican Bay to the north of the pass.
Seagate Beach
Seagate Beach features a lovely walkway between the condominiums of Naples Cay and Park Shore. This access is one of few public access points in the upscale beachfront area. This beach is accessible from both the north end of Gulf Shore Blvd and the west end of Seagate Drive with parking available at both locations.
The beach here is lined by high rises, but to the north it gives way to the mangrove shoreline of the Clam Pass Preserve. This beach is typically much less crowded than Clam Pass Park as it is not a “tourist resort beach”. No facilities are available at Seagate Beach, but a shower, foot washer, and running water are available.
This beach has a very “urban feel” with architecturally interesting high rise buildings along the shore. Sunsets here are spectacular with the distinctive skyline reflecting the colors of the sunset.
Parking at the end of Seagate Drive is $10 per day, and parking at the north end of Gulf Shore Blvd is $3.00 per hour. Parking is FREE with a collier county resident beach parking permit.
Raymond Lutgert Park (Park Shore)
Located in the middle of Park Shore, at the end of Park Shore Drive, this RESIDENTS ONLY park offers a quiet area along the gulf for the Park Shore Area. The park is located behind the gates of a cluster of high rise condo units and offers a private seaside oasis for residents of the neighborhood.
Within the park you will find a picnic area as well as restroom facilities alongside a path going down to the gulf. Residents of Park Shore often hold gatherings here and it is the congregating place for local residents. The park features a small pavilion, picnic area and an event lawn.
The beach in this section is open to the public by walking along the shore, or by arriving via watercraft.
Horizon Way / Vedado Way Beaches
Located just south of Park Shore you will find Horizon Way and Vedado Way Beach. These beaches are located at the north end of the Moorings neighborhood. To the north you enter the high rise lined beach of Park Shore. To the south you enter the beaches of the moorings neighborhood with older mid rise condos.
The beaches here are safer swimming beaches with no sharp rocks, and have weaker tidal currents. The high rises to the north offer some morning shade, and to the south the beach has more morning sun.
At Horizon Way you will find 38 parking spaces, a shower/foot washer, and potable water available. At Horizon Way there is a small park with benches for viewing the sunset. There is almost no shade at this location though.
Vedado Way is located 4 blocks south of Horizon Way and features a more shaded park along the beach. You will find a shower / foot washer available here as well as potable water.
Via Miramar Beach
Just north of Doctor's Pass in the Moorings neighborhood, you will find Via Miramar Beach. There are a total of 42 parking spaces at Via Miramar Beach. This is less of a park and mostly a "beach access". You will find a foot washer, shower, and potable water here though.
Via Miramar Beach is very popular with jetty fishers. The north jetty of Doctor's Pass is only a quarter mile walk south along the beach. The beach here tends to be quiet and is lined with mid and low rise condos.
Moorings Beach
This is a RESIDENTS ONLY beach in the Moorings Neighborhood. Located just south of Doctor’s Pass this park provides access to excellent jetty fishing at Doctor’s Pass. This little beach park offers shaded parking and a quiet park with a picnic area along the beach. Moorings Beach itself is restricted to residents of the MOORINGS NEIGHBORHOOD, this it NOT A PUBLIC PARK. (members of the general public are advised that it is a TOW AWAY ZONE, and unauthorized vehicles will be towed at owners expense UP TO $500, + a $500 trespassing fine).
There is a public beach access walkway between the Gulf Towers and Carriage Club condominiums but there is NO Public Parking at this access point. Those with a collier county beach parking permit may park in designated spaces along Gulf Shore Blvd and walk to the public beach access path here.
Located along this section of beach between the private beach park and Lowdermilk Park is the 4 star Edgewater Beach Hotel, the only large scale hotel along Naples Beach since the closure of the Naples Beach Hotel.
The beach here is one of the widest beaches in the Naples area and is lined by low and mid rise condominiums.
Lowdermilk Park
Lowdermilk Park is one of Naples’ premier beachfront parks. Popular with families, this park boasts a duck pond, two children’s playgrounds, two sand volleyball courts and picnic tables. Lowdermilk Park also features a wheelchair ramp, offering easy beach access for those with strollers or wheelchairs. Beach wheelchairs are available to rent for free at the concessions stand. A local yoga studio also hosts yoga classes on the beach at Lowdermilk Park every Saturday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Classes are open to all levels, and reservations are not required. Participants are asked to bring a large towel, water and a suggested donation of $20.
The Beach Cafe at Lowdermilk Park is open everyday from 9 a.m. to sunset (weather permitting) and serves a variety of sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, wraps, salads, ice cream, Italian ices and beverages. They also rent beach chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, body boards and paddleboards. The park also includes picnic shelters on the North and South ends to enjoy a beach picnic rain or shine.
The park is notorious for its ducks, they will approach your picnic and want food. The east side of the park features a duck pond and PLEASE DO NOT FEED DUCKS.
Naples “Downtown” Beaches
These beaches are the original Naples Beaches and run from 8th Avenue North near the former Naples Beach Hotel down to 21st Ave S just north of Port Royal. Beach access points are located every block at the west end of each avenue. The abundance of public access to the downtown beaches helps to keep crowds disbursed leading to a relaxing and quiet beach experience.
The beach end at Eighth Avenue South often called the Wedding Beach or Sunset Park, has always been a popular location for a weddings as well as watching the sunset. Reconstruction of the park several years ago took this into account, and the park was designed with space for seating, lush, picturesque landscaping and the appropriate backdrop of sand, sky and setting sun (at least if the sun is setting at the time of your wedding).
It is only ever crowded at the more popular access points such as 5th Ave S, 8th Ave N (former Naples Beach Hotel) and the Naples Pier.
Naples beaches have lots of tropical foliage, making them the most tropical looking beaches on the Gulf Coast of Florida. In particular, near the Naples Pier, the tall coconut palms are at their best. All of the residential neighborhoods are lush with tropical foliage and feature a mixture of older and newer homes.
Due to well planned zoning the area along the beach kept its “Old Naples” feel. Despite its close proximity to downtown you will still find many Old Naples style homes here.
The Naples Pier
The historic Naples Pier is located on the Gulf of Mexico at the West end of 12th Avenue South. The Naples Pier is a favorite location for sightseers. The Pier features restrooms, showers, a concession stand with covered eating area, and beach supplies.
Parking at the pier is $3.00 per hour, and there is ample parking available in the area. Parking is FREE once you get beyond a few blocks from the beach.
The Pier is popular with fishers and you DO NOT need a license to fish from the Naples Pier. The sunsets here are amazing and it makes for the perfect Instagram photo.
Port Royal Beaches
If you are an architecture connoisseur, Port Royal Beach is for you. Some of Naples largest residences are along this stretch of beach. Homes here are in a variety of architectural styles and people come to this beach to admire the architecture. Beach access is available at 32nd Ave S and 33rd Ave S and parking requires a Collier County or City of Naples beach parking permit. Pedestrians and cyclists may access the beach at this location at no cost.
The beach along this section is narrow and sections are often rocky with seawalls along much of the coast. It may be possible to walk along this section at Low Tide. From 33rd Ave S its 1.5 miles down to the North Jetty at Gordon Pass.
This is one of the best places to watch the sunset with the line of boats going out to sea and then returning just after sunset.