A Guide To Parking, Amenities & Experiences on Paradise Coast Beaches
Here on Florida’s Paradise Coast, miles of pristine beaches offer hours of seaside bliss. To make your beach day even more care-free, it’s advisable to have a plan before heading out, especially when it comes to finding a parking space.
Here’s a round-up of area beaches, where to park and what amenities you’ll find when you get there.
NAPLES BEACH: STEPS FROM IT ALL
A gorgeous stretch that runs for miles northward and southward from the Naples Pier, Naples Beach is just a few blocks from the upscale restaurants, shops and hotels downtown.
The Pier juts a thousand feet into the Gulf, making it a great spot for watching the sun set over the water. Keep in mind that as of summer 2025, only part of the Pier is open, after sustaining damage in Hurricane Ian.
PARKING
Several public access points offer limited parking at the west end of most downtown avenues. Metered spaces cost $5 an hour. Pay with quarters or a credit card. You can also get here without a car: the Naples Trolley makes regular stops at the Pier.
Due to hurricane damage, some of the accesses are closed. Check here for updates. The concession stand is closed as of spring 2025.
AMENITIES
Restrooms, showers, concession stand, covered eating area, wheelchair access.
HOURS
The Pier is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
LOWDERMILK PARK: NATURAL BEAUTY, NEAR TOWN
Scenic, easy-to-access Lowdermilk Park is a public beach and park situated three miles north of downtown Naples. Lowdermilk Beach Cafe, open from 9 a.m. to sunset, serves sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, ice cream and more — and it’s also where you can rent beach chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, paddleboards, body boards and other beach essentials.
To the east of the beach is an ample green space that includes a lagoon. It’s a perfect spot for kids to romp around after they’ve had enough sand.
PARKING
Metered parking — $5 per hour. Pay with quarters or credit card.
AMENITIES
Restrooms, showers, picnic pavilion/tables, Flip-Flop Beach Grill concession stand, beach gear rentals, two gazebos available for rent, duck pond, a children’s playground, two sand volleyball courts, wheelchair ramp.
HOURS
5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
VANDERBILT BEACH PARK: A SANDY STRETCH IN NORTH NAPLES
A popular beach nine miles north of downtown Naples, and near upscale hotels and resorts and golf courses, Vanderbilt Beach is fairly narrow, providing easy access to the Gulf waters.
At the concession stand you can rent beach gear, chairs, and cabanas, but no food or drinks. Restaurants and convenience stores are within walking distance. The beach has a dedicated parking garage, but spots go quickly, especially during peak tourism season.
PARKING
Parking garage. $10 without Collier County resident beach parking permit. Limited, metered street parking, credit cards only.
AMENITIES
Restroom, foot showers, concessions, beach gear rentals, bike racks, beach wheelchair, life jackets.
HOURS
8 a.m. to sunset.
NATURALLY HEAVENLY: DELNOR-WIGGINS PASS STATE PARK
Located just west of North Naples, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is a mile-long, 166-acre wonderland separated from the mainland by tidal creeks and mangrove swamps, giving the park a pristine, get-away-from-it-all vibe. Delnor-Wiggins is celebrated for its shelling.
Boaters and paddlers can reach the Gulf of America and the Cocohatchee River. Naples Beach Adventures rents beach chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.
PARKING
Four parking lots — $6 per vehicle (limit eight people); $4 single-occupant vehicle; $2 bicyclists, pedestrians, extra passengers. Additional parking can be found at the Conner Park parking lot, a short walk east of the beach, with 158 metered spaces (credit cards only).
AMENITIES
Outdoor showers, boat ramp ($5 extra) with kayak/canoe launch, observation tower and trail, picnic tables/pavilions/grills, boardwalks and observation decks, beach wheelchairs, concessions, beach gear rental, free beach wheelchairs.
HOURS
8 a.m. to sunset.
BELOVED BEACHFRONT: CLAM PASS PARK
One of the Paradise Coast’s most popular beach access points, Clam Pass Park is a serene, 35-acre park located on Outer Clam Bay, just west of the Naples Grande Beach Resort, six miles north of downtown Naples. The park sits between a mangrove-fringed lagoon and sandy beach.
You can reach the beach via a three-quarter-mile boardwalk that runs through a mangrove forest. You can choose to walk it or take a free tram.
PARKING
171 public parking spaces. $10 without Collier County Resident Beach Parking Permit. Free tram to the beach.
AMENITIES
Rhodes End restaurant (part of the Naples Grande Beach Resort), restrooms, bike racks, foot showers, life jackets, beach wheelchair.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida offers guided nature walks Monday through Saturday from December through April. Reservations required.
HOURS
8 a.m. to sunset
BAREFOOT BEACH PRESERVE: A PRISTINE PARADISE
The northernmost beach on Florida’s Paradise Coast, Barefoot Beach Preserve is a 342-acre natural marvel lined with lush plant life. This is one of the last remaining undeveloped barrier islands in Southwest Florida.
PARKING
96 public spaces; $10 (credit card only) without Collier County resident beach parking permit
AMENITIES
Portable restrooms and washing station, drink-vending machines, learning center with natural history exhibits, butterfly and cactus gardens, one-mile loop walking trail, picnic tables/pavilions, foot showers, beach wheelchair, life jackets
HOURS
8 a.m. to sundown
TIGERTAIL BEACH PARK: NATURAL BEAUTY ON MARCO ISLAND
Located on the northwest side of Marco Island, Tigertail Beach Park is a surprisingly undeveloped natural park amid suburban streets, high-rise condos and resorts. Five boardwalks lead from the parking area to the beach.
A tidal lagoon separates Tigertail Beach from Sand Dollar Spit, which can be reached by kayak, paddleboard, or wading (at low tide).
PARKING
Parking lot with 200 spaces. $10 (credit card only) without Collier County resident beach parking permit.
AMENITIES
Restrooms/changing rooms, concessions (closed as of spring 2025), picnic area, playground, watersports/beach gear rentals, including jet skis and paddleboards (closed as of spring 2025).
HOURS
8 a.m. to sundown
SOUTH MARCO BEACH ACCESS: FAMILY FUN
Near the junction of South Collier Boulevard and Swallow Avenue, this location is perfect for families who want to sunbathe, swim, hunt for shells or fish. The South Marco beach access offers plenty of room to spread out. The sunset views are spectacular.
PARKING
70 parking spaces. $10, without Collier County beach parking pass.
AMENITIES
Restrooms; several companies rent waverunners and kayaks. Marco Island Watersports will take you parasailing.
HOURS
Sunrise to sunset
For more information, visit South Marco Beach.