Southwest Florida Beach Access Map

Here in Southwest Florida, there are a wide variety of beaches, from the “party beach” areas of the middle north section of Fort Myers Beach, to the deserted beaches of the Ten Thousand Islands, there is a beach for everyone here in Southwest Florida.

Lee County Beaches

Lovers Key

Located just south of Fort Myers Beach across Big Carlos Pass is Lover’s Key Beach. This 2.5 mile stretch of beach can be visited by car or by boat and is also served by Lee Tran as well as the Fort Myers Beach Trolley.

Along Lover’s Key beach are three access points, each of which offers a unique beach experience. Admission to the park is $4.00 for a single occupant vehicle / motorcycle, $8.00 per vehicle (2-8 occupants), and $2.00 per person if arriving via boat, bicycle, bus or on foot.

Lovers Key is actually a cluster of islands, with Lover’s Key as only the westernmost gulf-facing island. Originally this archipelago was accessible only by boat and the island’s secret coves made it the ideal hideout for pirates. Black Island was home to the pirate Black Augustus and can be explored via the 2.5 mile Black Island Trail as well as the Eagle Trail.

In the 1960s, the islands were slated for development when the Bonita Beach Causeway was built. Some of the far northeastern end was developed prior to the gift of the land to the people of Florida for preservation. In addition to the beaches the park features the Lovers Key Discovery Center, as well as a bayside vessel launch perfect for exploring the surrounding mangrove forest or beginning your journey across Estero Bay to Mound Key.

South Big Carlos Pass Beach

Located on the south side of Big Carlos Pass, this beach borders the Lovers Key Beach Club, Island Beach Club and the Lovers Key Resort. This is a popular beach with boaters with an easy landing, and fairly deep water in Big Carlos Pass. Swimming here is NOT advised, Big Carlos Pass is a busy harbor with a LOT of boat traffic. There is a parking area at the base of the Big Carlos Pass bridge with FREE parking. In order to access the beach from this location there is a $2.00 per person admission fee.

You can walk 0.6 miles west along this beach to reach the main gulf beach. Along Big Carlos Pass is the best fishing beach here as the tides from Estero Bay bring numerous fish through this area. Dolphins and Manatees are also often seen along South Big Carlos Pass Beach,

Lovers Key North Beach

Within Lovers Key State Park, North Beach is the less traveled quieter beach. This beach is not served by the tram that connects the main parking area to Lovers Key South Beach. It is only a .25 mile walk along a boardwalk/trail over two bridges through a natural setting to reach this secluded beach.

There are no facilities at Lovers Key North Beach, and it is 0.4 miles from the main beach facility at Lovers Key South Beach so it doesn’t get “spillover” from the main beach. If you walk north from Lovers Key North Beach it is .75 miles to the northern tip of Lovers Key where the coast bends around towards Big Carlos Pass.

It is on the ends of the islands near the harbor inlets that the best seashells are found and this area tends to offer the best shelling on Lovers Key.

Lovers Key South Beach

Lovers Key South Beach is the main beach area on Lovers Key. A tram service provides convenient access from the main parking area out to Lovers Key South Beach. The south end beach features a restroom facility, gazebo, picnic area and a concession stand for food and beach rentals. Please note that there is NO running water available at the beach.

This beach does tend to get a bit crowded, especially on holiday weekends. The majority of the crowds stick to the area right by the access point, so if you walk south the crowds thin out. You can walk 0.6 miles south to the end of the island at New Pass.

At the far south end along New Pass is some of the best shelling on Lovers Key. There are several sandbars here with excellent shelling and this area is a haven for shorebirds.

Bonita Beach Dog Park

Bonita Beach Dog Park, is located just south of Lover’s Key State Park along New Pass. It’s an off-leash beach to let your dog run free and frolic in the shallow, calm water of the Gulf of Mexico. There are no fences, leashes, or worries. Just plenty of dogs of all sizes to play with. Many people visit that don’t even have dogs but enjoy watching them run and play with their furry friends on land and water.

The area has a large tidal range, so animal waste is removes with each high tide, however PLEASE clean up after your dog.

Big Hickory Island

Pelican Landing Beach Park

At the north end of Big Hickory Island you will find Pelican Landing Beach Park. This park is accessible only by private boat, or a ferry service from either the Pelican Landing neighborhood or the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Beach Resort.

The ferry is for residents of Pelican Landing and hotel guests only and takes one on a 12 minute ride across Estero Bay to the beach park.

Facilities include an elevated beach pavilion, restrooms, shower facilities, nature library, two open-air pavilions, and a large screened-in pavilion with deck.

Big Hickory Island Beach

Accessible only by boat, is one of Lee County’s best kept secrets. This beach that lies between Bonita Beach and Lovers Key is seldom ever crowded. From a Great Calusa Blueway launch point near the Estero Blvd New Pass Bridge it is only 0.3 miles by canoe/kayak out to Big Hickory Island Beach.

There are NO facilities available to the public on Big Hickory Island Beach but the beach here is almost never crowded.

Beach camping is not allowed on Big Hickory Island, but nearby Bowtie Island on the bay side offers a small bayside pocket beach and camp site.

Bonita Beach

Little Hickory Island Beach Park (Bonita Beach Access #10)

Located near the corner of Hickory Blvd and Estero Blvd, Little Hickory Island Beach Park is the northernmost beach access point on Bonita Beach. You’ll find a foot washer, showers and drinking water at this location. This beach is popular with shellers and surf fishermen because of its proximity to Big Hickory Pass.

You can walk 0.6 miles north along the beach to the jetty at Big Hickory Pass. The area around Big Hickory Pass has some of the best shelling along the Bonita Beach area.

Parking here is $2.00 per hour and is FREE with a Lee County Beach Parking Permit.

Bonita Beach Park

At the west end of Bonita Beach Road you will find Bonita Beach Park. This is the southernmost beach in Lee County and is located just north of the Collier County line. Here you will find restroom facilities as well as showers and and foot washers. The park features shaded picnic pavilions and is adjacent to the Doc’s Beach House Restaurant which offers beach concessions and rentals.

This is the busiest beach in the Bonita Beach area and you will often find it crowded. Crowds tend to only congregate in the main park area and walking a short ways down the beach leads to a much quieter and less traveled area.

The park adjoins Collier County’s Barefoot Beach Access on the south and the two parks are interconnected with parking available in both Collier and Lee County.

Parking here is $2.00 per hour for residents as well as visitors.

Collier County Beaches

Barefoot Beach

You will find Barefoot Beach just south of Bonita Beach at the west end of Bonita Beach Road. It occupies the southern half of Little Hickory Island and is the northernmost of the sections of the Collier County Beaches.

The entrance to Barefoot Beach appears as a gated community, and that is because it is. However there is a public access point called Barefoot Beach Access just past the turnoff before the gate into the gated community.

Barefoot Beach Access

This sometimes referred to as the “Collier County” side of Bonita Beach Park as the two parks adjoin and are connected by a pedestrian path. There are picnic pavilions and a restroom, but no other services on the Collier County side. Walking just over the county line there is a full service beach park available at Bonita Beach Park.

From here you can easily access Bonita Beach, or you can walk south (MUST stay below mean high water mark to avoid trespassing) along the beach of the Barefoot Beach neighborhood to admire the many mansions and their unique architecture. This area offers a sampling of the architecture of the area with a wide array of styles on display. There are futuristic ultra modern estate homes here located gracefully alongside Tuscan inspired grand estates. Most homes here feature coastal designs with the popular rooftop “widows” walk common amongst these magnificent 3 sometimes 4 or even 5 level homes.

Beach parking here is $10 per day, and is FREE with a Collier County beach parking permit. At this location there is ample parking (96 Parking Spaces) so there is never a hard time finding parking.

Barefoot Beach Preserve

If you pass by Barefoot Beach Access, you will come to the main entry gate of the Barefoot Beach Neighborhood. Just pull up to the guardhouse and say you are going to Barefoot Beach Preserve, and they will wave you through. This is one of the best kept secrets in the Bonita Springs area and after passing through the gates you will wind through this beautiful neighborhood. After passing the mansions described earlier, and then the mid-rise condos of the Barefoot Beach Club, you reach the park entrance.

The park is located on the far south end of Little Hickory Island and is a nature lover’s paradise. Here one will find 3 different beach access areas. within the park is 1.4 miles of preserved natural beachfront with no homes or high rises abutting the shore.

The park includes a two mile-long nature trails, and a small craft launch for exploring the estuary waters of Wiggins and Little Hickory Bays (no combustion engines allowed).

The northernmost of the beach areas features a nature center, restrooms, and has drinking water available. The other two areas have no facilities available but tend to be much less crowded. Its a mile walk from the southernmost of the beach areas via either the beach or the nature trail down to Wiggins Pass.

Parking here is $10 per day and the park has 356 parking spaces but it almost NEVER crowded owing to its “best kept secret” location.

Vanderbilt Beach

Vanderbilt Beach is Collier County’s second most commercialized beach area after Marco Island. It is one of the busiest beaches in the area and for good reason. The north end of this section is part of Wiggins Pass State Park and is a preserved natural shoreline.

The main section of Vanderbilt Beach is the “busy beach” that is lined by Resorts and tends to be the most touristy. LaPlaya Beach Resort and the Ritz Carlton are the main hotels here, but there are a few smaller hotels including Vanderbilt Beach and Harbor Club, Vanderbilt Beach Resort, and the Lighthouse Inn.

Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park

Located at the north end of Vanderbilt Beach, just south of Wiggins Pass is Wiggins Pass State Park. This is perhaps the busiest beach location in Collier County. Consistently rated among the best beaches in Florida. It was recently ranked #9 on America’s best beaches.

This 199 acre park offers a mile of unspoiled beaches and a boat launch area for all types of trailerable vessels.

Delnor-Wiggins State Park is heavily wooded with plenty of shaded picnic tables all along the beach. Restroom facilities are spaced conveniently along the beach front. A nature trail leads to an observation tower at the north end of the park that puts you above the small oaks and cabbage palms and mangroves. Unfortunately it is about 10 feet too short to give a good view of the Gulf of Mexico.

The down side to Delnor Wiggins is that it fills up fairly quickly. When that happens the park gates are closed. It can get crowded.

Conner Park / Bluebill Beach

Conner Park is located alongside Bluebill Avenue and offers access to the beach at the end of Bluebill Avenue. This beach access is between the Moraya Bay Condominiums and the Wiggins Pass State Park. Its a half mile walk from the parking area at Conner Park to the beach so this is often one of the “less visited” beach areas.

There are restroom facilities and running water available at the beach here, and you will never have trouble finding a place to park in Conner Park, unless Wiggins Pass State Park fills up and then Conner Park will become “overflow parking”.

Beach Accesses along Gulf Shore Drive

CAT (collier area transit) provides transportation to the beach.  Visitors and residents can catch the trolley at the North Collier Regional Park Administration Building, 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, Florida 34109. One may also catch the trolley at Conner Park.

The trolley runs every 60 minutes and serves the Vanderbilt Beach Area. The fare to ride the Beach Trolley is $1.50 for a single ride, or you may use your CAT pass to hop on. You can use your CAT passes to ride beyond the beach and the park.

Because of the lack of parking these access points lead to areas of beach that are almost never crowded. The quietest section is in the area by Channel Drive and the residential neighborhood beach here. Most of the crowds stay near the big parks or the resorts like LaPlaya or the Ritz Carlton.

Vanderbilt Beach Park

Located at the end of Vanderbilt Beach Road just north of the Ritz Carlton Beach Resort, Vanderbilt Beach Park is one of Naples most popular beaches. The easy access and proximity to large resorts make this Collier County’s most popular beach among visitors. It DOES get crowded here during season and on weekends. If you want to get away from the crowding, you can simply walk south of the Ritz Carlton towards Pelican Bay.

The park offers public restrooms and running water, as well as a parking garage with 375 spaces. Parking is $10 per day and FREE with a Collier County beach parking permit.

This beach has a concession stand that offers rentals of beach equipment, chairs and umbrellas.

Pelican Bay Beaches

Within Pelican Bay are two beach access areas reserved for RESIDENTS ONLY. Members of the general public may access this beach area by walking south from Vanderbilt Beach Park or arriving on a watercraft.

Pelican Bay is situated alongside two and a half miles of white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Pelican Bay is unique due to it’s private beach pavilions, complete with beachfront dining for residents and their guests. There simply isn’t anything else like it in Southwest Florida.

Along the northern half of Pelican Bay’s beach is the gulf front community of Bay Colony. Here the beach is lined by 7 of the area’s most luxurious beach front high rise condominiums immediately south of the Ritz Carlton Beach Resort. South of the high rises of Bay Colony are 11 beachfront estate homes of Southwest Florida’s most exclusive neighborhood, The Strand at Bay Colony. One can walk south from Vanderbilt Beach to view these exquisite estates and admire the architecture.(STAY BELOW HIGH WATER MARK TO AVOID TRESPASSING). From Vanderbilt Beach Park it is about 3/4 mile to walk past the condos of Bay Colony to view the estate homes in The Strand. This half mile stretch of beach is an architecture connoisseur’s delight with numerous architectural styles on display among the grand estates.

Just south of The Strand at Bay Colony is Pelican Bay’s North Beach. Located approximately halfway from Vanderbilt Beach to Clam Pass, this is the smaller of the two Pelican Bay residents only beach accesses. A popular site for morning walks, dolphin watching, shelling and more, North Beach offers a relaxed pace.

North Beach is home to Pelican Bay’s Marker 36 restaurant. Marker 36 is the essence of beachfront dining. Here, the cuisine more than measures up to the indulgent surroundings – with menus offering a mix of classic dishes and innovative lighter fare, all featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients and an exciting beverage program. Marker 36 does offer beach take-out service at the bar, so you can enjoy your cocktails on the beach.

Pelican Bay’s resident’s only beach accesses are located at the end of boardwalks crossing through a mangrove forest with a bridge across Pelican Bay’s namesake Pelican Bay.

Ideal for active families, Pelican Bay South End Beach (also known as Commons Park Beach) owing to its location close to Commons Park is located on the north side of Clam Pass at the southern tip of the Vanderbilt Beach section. Here you will find the Sandbar restaurant which offers a variety of fresh and flavorful selections, prepared in an open-air kitchen that imbues every dish with a hint of genuine beach breeze.

Members of the public can easily access Pelican Bay’s beach areas by watercraft, just pull up on the beach. The beaches themselves are PUBLIC. Non motorized small craft may land along clam pass, and motorized craft may land anywhere between Pelican Bay’s north and south beaches (PLEASE USE COURTESY, and avoid parking watercraft in front of the pelican bay beach facilities, and remember that all facilities are for RESIDENTS ONLY).

Naples Beaches

Within the City of Naples proper are 8.75 miles of beaches running from Clam Pass all the way south to Gordon Pass. This section of beach is almost never crowded, except in a few places near larger parks and resorts on busy days. 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

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.

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.

Clam Pass 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 between the Moorings and Park Shore neighborhoods, the Horizon Way and Vedado Way beach accesses provide public access to the high rise lined beach along Park Shore. There is ample parking here with 38 spaces at Horizon Way and 39 spaces at Vedado Way.

There are no public restrooms, but running water is available for showers, foot washing and drinking at both access points. Parking is $3.00 per hour for visitors and FREE with a City of Naples or Collier County beach parking permit.

Beaches here are wide and offer a large amount of space to spread out, and it almost never gets crowded here. The beach here is far from the strong tides of the inlets so the currents are weaker here making it a safer beach for children.

This section of beach is lined by low and mid rise condos but still has an urban feel. Looking north along this area provides a spectacular sillhouette of the area skyline. You will definitely notice the difference between the Moorings which is south of Horizon Way, and Park Shore which is north of Horizon Way. Park shore features newer modern looking high rises, while the Moorings features shorter older style mid rise condominiums.

Horizon Way features benches for viewing the sunset, while Vedado Way offers a park shaded by tropical vegetation.

Via Miramar Park

Located on Gulf Shore Blvd, just south of Harbor Drive, this is the closest beach to Doctor’s Pass. Its just a third of a mile to the Doctor’s Pass north jetty. This is a great spot for jetty fishing, particularly on an ebb tide. The park features 41 parking spaces and parking is $3.00 per hour for visitors and FREE with a City of Naples or Collier County beach parking permit.

There are no public restrooms at this location, but showers, foot washers and running water are available at the parking area. There is little to no shade in the park, and this park mainly serves as a pass through to access the beach.

Moorings Beach

Moorings Beach 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 Moorings Beach 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., weather permitting. 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 feeding the ducks is NOT encouraged.

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 thought out zoning the area along the beach kept its “Old Naples” feel despite its close proximity to downtown.

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 includes a “blanket license” so no license is required to fish from the Naples Pier. The sunsets here are amazing and it makes for the perfect Instagram photo.

Port Royal Beaches

Located at the south end of Naples, the beaches in the Port Royal area are an architecture lover’s dream come true. 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.

East Naples Beaches (Keewaydin Island, Sea Oat Island, Cannon Island)

East Naples is home to some of the best beaches, and they are on three islands accessible only by boat. There are NO public restroom facilities or running water ANYWHERE on these islands. Bayview Park in East Naples is the best “launch point” to begin your trip out to these islands. Further south, there are launch points at Shell Island Rd, and Isles of Capri.

North Keewaydin Beach (Key Island)

Located just south of Gordon Pass is North Keewaydin Beach. This beach is along the Key Island neighborhood, a private island community that acts as a southern extension of Port Royal. This beach is located near the Keewaydin Island State Park trail system which many visitors and locals to the island do not know exists. This is the site of the former Keewaydin Club and is historic for many reasons.

The neighborhood here is PRIVATE, but the entire beach on Keewaydin Island is public. This beach may be accessed by landing your vessel on the GULF SIDE of the island or by walking north from Secret Beach.

One may access the trail system without trespassing on private property via two access points connected to the beach in this area. Local tour boats often stop here at North Keewaydin Beach to visit the island or anchor offshore to watch the sunset. You will often here a conch trumpet sound during sunset from this location as the Gordon Pass fog signal or as the departure signal from the Sweet Liberty catamaran.

Secret Beach (Reb’s Cove)

A small pocket beach in the mangroves, accessible by boat from Bartell Bay is perhaps the area’s best kept secret. This beach is only accessible by canoe, kayak, rowboat or a small sailboat or motorboat. Here is perhaps the area’s best kept secret and many locals would prefer it stay that way.

Owing to its location close to Bayview Park and East Naples, this beach is popular with the locals here who often kayak from the Isles of Collier Preserve neighborhood, as well as residents of the other East Naples neighborhoods.

There is a bayside landing in Reb’s Cove off of Bartell Bay and there is both a calm bay side and a traditional gulf beach at this location. Along this beach it is quiet with natural dune vegetation along this section. From Secret Beach it is popular to walk north to Gordon Pass and back.

Sue’s Beach

Just south of Secret Beach along Bartell Bay is Sue’s Beach. Here you will find a landing that is slightly larger than the one at Secret Beach and the site is open for beach camping. With its location away from city lights there is a spectacular view of the stars from this location at night. It is one of the best locations for amateur astronomy in the Naples area that is relatively close to town. Sue’s Beach is never crowded and is a local’s best kept secret and is popular with residents of East Naples.

Rookery Bay Beach

Located at roughly the midpoint of Keewaydin Island is Rookery Bay Beach. Here you will find a small sandy landing on the bay side with a cross over path through the mangroves. This beach is a popular stop for boaters on the inside passage between Marco Island and Naples and is popular with canoeists and kayakers touring the Rookery Bay Loop around Halloway Island.

South of Rookery Bay Beach is the Keewaydin Island neighborhood, a collection of private island retreats for those who are very privacy minded. The beach here is public though, and if you are courteous the islanders are generally friendly. In the neighborhood section, tall australian pines line the shore providing some morning shade in a place that feels like a private island. There are a few vacation rentals here (boat access only) for those who desire a true private island getaway.

Windstar Beach Club (Private)

Residents of Windstar enjoy a private beach shuttle that connects to Windstar’s Private Beach Club on Keewaydin Island. Here Windstar residents will find a screened beach clubhouse, and beach chairs already set out. This spot is one of the amazing perks of living in Windstar and one of the few “resident’s beaches” that offers true privacy.

The beach itself is public (all of Keewaydin’s Beaches are), but the remoteness of this club makes this one of Naples most secluded and exclusive private beach clubs.

South End of Keewaydin Island (Southwaydin)

The south end of Keeywaydin Island is often called “Southwaydin” or “Inspiration Point” by locals and this is perhaps the most popular mariner’s hangout in Naples. At the south end of Keeywaydin one can see Marco Island in the distance and the site offers some of the area’s finest views.

The go-to spot on the Keewaydin is the very southern tip.  That location has a beautiful sandy shoreline on the bayside and a breathtaking beach on the Gulfside. It’s very popular every day of the week but even more so on the weekends. Be sure to arrive early to secure a spot! Any major holiday here is always a blast!

Often, you’ll see a floating concession stand beached on the shoreline.  When I visited, I saw an ice cream boat.  She was busy! I’ve also heard that another boat that frequents Keewaydin is one that sells cheeseburgers and other items.  Be on the lookout for one of these boats to satisfy your hunger or sweet tooth.  Better yet, come prepared with your own stuff just in case.

This location offers excellent mangrove fishing on the tides of Little Marco Pass bringing in Mackerel, Snook, Snapper and Tillapia.

For the casual visitor, Southwaydin is served by the Hemmingway Water Shuttle. Its $44 round trip and operates out of Rose Marina on Marco Island. If you are here to see the mangrove estuary of Rookery Bay its possible to visit Southwaydin as a stopover on a paddle tour of the estuary.

Its 2 miles from Capri Fish House which is the closest launch point (rentals are available), and the route passes by numerous mangrove islands in the estuary. Once at Keewaydin you can stop over for the Island version of a food truck rally (food boats) before returning to Isles of Capri,

Sea Oat Island

Located just off the southern tip of Keewaydin Island, Sea Oat Island is one beach that is never crowded. Often overlooked by those who are headed to Southwaydin, this is one of the area’s quietest beaches. Sea Oat Island’s shore is lined by majestic tall australian pines and is a haven for numerous shorebirds.

The north and south sections of Sea Oat Island are a tangle of driftwood, mud, rocks and mangrove forest with a small beach area in the middle section of Sea Oat Island. This beach is accessible by landing your watercraft on the GULF SIDE, and is a great stopover for boaters on the way to or from Keewaydin Island. Isles of Capri residents often come out here to watch the sunset as this is the nearest sandy beach on the open gulf in the area.

Cannon Beach

Located just off Isles of Capri on the south end of Cannon Island, Cannon Beach is a small pocket beach in the mangroves just southeast of Sea Oat Island. This beach is popular with kayakers, and is easily accessible from Capri Fish House. Launch and rentals are available at Capri Fish House to travel out to Cannon Beach and explore the mangroves along Cannon Island and Johnson Island.

The eastern bayside sandbar is an excellent spot for bird watching, (please don’t disturb nesting birds and STAY IN THE BOAT. This area doesn’t get loads of people tromping around, and lets keep it nice.

On the south end of Cannon Beach is a mangrove forest shoreline with marl and rocks amongst a tangle of driftwood, perfect for estuary fishing on the ebb tide.

To the western side is a small pocket beach in the mangroves. This short beach section has some of the calmest waves and clearest water on the gulf coast. The water here is flat as a lake generally as the area is protected from breaking waves by an offshore sandbar. The area is a great place for snorkeling and diving in search of seashells.

Marco Island Beaches

Marco Island is similar to Sanibel but generally has a busier feel. The island feels familiar and has areas similar to both Sanibel and Captiva while offering some of the amenities of a busier beach like Fort Myers Beach. The main beach is lined by several resort hotels as well as numerous high rise condominiums. This main beach is shaped like a crescent and is 2.5 miles long from Tigertail Channel in the north to Caxambas Pass in the south.

The area along the main beach is the most touristy with beach shops, and numerous resorts along this section. The island’s other beaches (Tigertail and Hideaway) are in a quieter residential neighborhood section of the island which gives way to the mangrove jungles of the Ten Thousand Islands.

The Old Marco section of the island, located at the north end of Bald Eagle Drive has a more bohemian vibe and although there are no beaches in this area you will find a seaside fishing village vibe mixed with a city waterfront feel. Here you will find some of the island’s best unique restaurants and bars including the Snook Inn, and Marecks Collier House Rsstaurants.

In the middle of the island is the “downtown area” which features some of the “chain restaurants” and gives Marco Island its familiar feel. To the south of downtown is the Marco Island Museum (free admission) which is home to the famed Key Marco Cat.

In the southeast portion of the island, and on neighboring Horr’s Island one can find ancient Calusa Indian mounds. Check out Otter Mound Preserve or the historic Captain John Horr’s House in this area.

Hideaway Beach

Hideaway Beach is located on the far north end of Marco Island and is located along the islands most exclusive gated community. The entire beach is public, but public access is ONLY by water. We do NOT condone trespassing through the Hideaway Beach neighborhood and trespassers here are subject to a $500 fine.

Hideaway Beach is lined by large rocky breakwaters and has a few areas of sandy shore between sections of breakwater. Swimming is NOT advised at Hideaway Beach as the currents here are strong and water is VERY DEEP with a large amount of vessel traffic just offshore as this beach fronts onto Big Marco Pass.

The Hideaway Beach section is lined by large mansions at the southern end, and by high rise condominiums at the northern end. A walk along this section is great for someone who is interested in seeing the area’s unique architecture.

Tigertail Beach

Located on Marco Island, Tigertail Beach offers the public everything to make your visit a rewarding one. Tigertail Beach offers a bath house, five boardwalks leading from the mangrove lined parking area to the white, sandy beach.

At Tigertail Beach it is easy to find parking with 210 parking spaces available (the lot is never full). Parking here is $10 per day for visitors and free with a Collier County beach parking permit.

This beach is located along the calm and quiet Tigertail Channel and is sheltered from the wave action of the Gulf of Mexico. The water is flat and is a great place to rent paddlecraft to explore the mangrove coastline in the surrounding area, or to venture to Sand Dollar Island or Hideaway Beach.

Many wading birds make their nests along the channel as well. At times during the year both least tern and black skimmers nest in large groups around the channel area.

Sand Dollar Island Beach

Located immediately across the channel from Tigertail Beach is Sand Dollar Island. This island is completely undeveloped and is a sanctuary for migratory birds. Owing to its desert island location, it often feels as though you have the entire island to yourselves.

Access to Sand Dollar Island beach is by crossing Tigertail Channel from Tigertail Beach. Its approximately a tenth of a mile across the channel which is shallow enough to walk across at low tide (3 to 4 feet deep), and crossing at high tide is doable but a little scary. Most visitors to Sand Dollar Island arrive by watercraft by paddling over from Tigertail Beach. Once on the island there is a landing and a path through the mangroves on the bay side over to the gulf side beach.

Walking north from this point, its 2 miles to the far northern tip of the island which makes for an interesting 4 mile nature tour. Much of the island is roped off as a preserve for nesting shorebirds and can be enjoyed from the gulf beach or from the water on the channel side.

Along the length of the island you will find shells rivaling those of Sanibel, and this island has some of the best shelling of SWFL. The middle and northern end sections of the island tend to have the best shelling. The northern end of the island is a popular gathering spot for local boaters and was formerly known as Coconut Island and is still oftentimes referred to as such.

Resident’s Beach

Located at San Marco Rd. and Collier Blvd, this beach is at the north end of Marco Island’s main “crescent” beach. This beach is reserved for Marco Island Residents ONLY, and a Marco Island Civic Association beach parking pass is REQUIRED to access the park. Do not park in any of the nearby parking lots and walk to Resident’s Beach as your vehicle will be TOWED ($250+) and unauthorized access to Resident’s beach will result in a TRESPASSING CITATION ($500 FINE).

If you are an island resident or have a pass then you will enjoy what some consider the most beautiful beach on the island. The sand is silky smooth and the beach is widest at Residents’ Beach. Resident’s beach is where Marco Islanders come to hang out. Here you will find the Paradise Grill, a beachfront snack shack. Many beachside tiki huts offer a great place for a picnic, and with such a wide and large beach area here, it never feels crowded.

If you are strolling Marco Island Beach, you should refrain from using the tiki huts or entering the Residents’ Beach park. This is a private beach for Marco Island residents only, and you may be asked for proof of residency. The parking lot and the park area are patrolled and no one is permitted entry without producing proper identification. 

Maple Avenue Beach

Located at Collier Blvd and Maple Ave, this is often referred to as “City North Beach Access”. There is NO beach parking available at this access. The local parking lots here are for local business customers only and are a TOW AWAY ZONE.

This beach is mostly used by islanders residing nearby or visitors staying across the way from the beach. You will find a wide beach here similar to the resident’s beach section but with easy public access open to visitors. There is a Collier Area Transit bus stop near this location, and it is free to access by bicycle.

This beach is just north of the Island’s main resorts and can get busy at times. This is, like Resident’s Beach one of the widest beaches on Marco Island. Here you will access the island’s main resort beach, right next to the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort.

Winterberry Beach

Located at Winterberry Drive and Collier Blvd is Winterberry Beach. This beach is one of Marco Island’s newest public beach access points. This is also know as “City South Beach Access”. Parking is available nearby at the “Turtle Lot” and costs $10 per day for visitors and residents. Its only a quarter mile walk from the parking lot to the beach. Do not park at nearby businesses as your vehicle will be towed if you park anywhere marked NO BEACH PARKING.

This beach is near the Marriott Crystal Shores Resort and is a very wide beach. If you want to have a beach party, this is the place. There is plenty of room to set up canopies, beach chairs, etc. Please remember that if you pack it in, you pack it out, and no alcohol or glass containers allowed on the beach.

You will often see Jet Skis running the waves along this section of beach. From Caxambas Park one can launch a jet ski and cruise along this section of beach (please stay a ways offshore when running at speed). Many of the resorts here have jet ski rentals and this is perhaps the most popular watersports beach in the area.

If you want to launch your JetSki, Caxambas Park is one of the best put in spots, and you can cruise the coast just off Marco Beach. This beach is also popular for windsurfing and kiteboarding.

South Marco Beach (Gene Sarazen Park)

Located at the far south end of Marco Island is South Marco Beach. This beach is a traditional beach located directly along the gulf. It can sometimes get a bit crowded here as this is the island’s most popular beach. You will find that this is the southernmost beach on Florida’s gulf coast that is accessible by road.

Parking and restrooms are available at the Collier County parking lot (70 spaces) along Swallow Avenue. Parking is $10 per day for visitors and free with a Collier County Beach Parking Permit. From the parking area its a quarter mile walk along Swallow Ave, across Collier Blvd and through a beach access path between the Apollo condominiums and the Cape Marco development.

You can walk south for a third of a mile to the very end of the island (a place sometimes referred to as Cape Wilma). The beach ends here and the coast turns rocky along the south end of the island. Shelling is sometimes good on the far south end of the beach here, and the area along the rocky shore on the south side of the island makes for excellent snorkeling.

Dolphins are known to congregate in this area as the Caxambas Pass and the rocks are a popular place for both spearfishing and jetty fishing.

North of South Marco Beach is Marco Island’s main crescent beach lined by high rise condos and Marco Island’s famed luxury resorts.

Cape Romano Area Beaches

South of Marco Island is a cluster of uninhabited islands known as the Cape Romano Islands. These islands are close to Marco Island and are a great place for those on Marco Island to experience the isolation of the Ten Thousand Islands without traveling too far.

Caxambas Park on the south end of Marco Island is the “jumping off point” for exploring this archipelago. You must bring all the supplies you need when you travel out here. There are NO facilities on any of these islands and there are NO concessions available.

Karina Island (Caxambas Sandbar)

In Caxambas Pass, just south of the Shipps Landing Condominium and Caxambas Park is Karina Island, also known as the Caxambas Sandbar. This island is part of an old oyster bar and reef and offers some of the best shelling in the area. Parts of Karina Island are literally made of shells!!

Its only a short hop out from Caxambas Park, its maybe a 5 minute paddle from Caxambas Park out to Karina Island. Definitely stop here on your way out to Dickman’s, Kice or Cape Romano Island. The downside here is that there is absolutely no shade anywhere on the island.

Dickman’s Point

You will sometimes hear of this place referred to as Dickman’s Island and it was formerly part of Kice Island until it split off from the main portion of Kice Island in 2011. The inlet between Dickman’s and Kice Islands is yet to be officially named, but is often called Emily Pass.

Dickman’s point beach is lined by tall australian pines and is .75 miles long. This little beach area is a popular hangout for local boaters. Off the northern tip of Dickman’s Point is a sand and shell bar known locally as as Orinna and Isaac’s Point. This is a nice beach with a spectacular view of the Marco Island condominiums Marco Islanders often come here for a sunset sail.

This is a great stop for shelling, many paddlers often stop here on the way out to Kice Island or Cape Romano, its so close to Marco that it gets such a large volume of visitors so it sometimes turns into a “boater hangout” just like Southwaydin but not near as crowded.

The small shallow lagoon between the two points makes for an excellent place to view migratory shorebirds and look for small delicate shells that might otherwise be destroyed by the wave action on the outer beach. Overall, Dickman’s Island has the best shelling in the Cape Romano area.

The main beach along Dickman’s Point is lined with tall Australian pines which provides a nice quiet picnic area. Beach camping here is permitted and offers a beach camping spot close enough to Marco Island to row over to Caxambas Park to receive a pizza delivery or make necessary supply runs.

Kice Island Beach

Located immediately south of Dickman’s Inlet is Kice Island Beach. This beach which is accessible only by watercraft is one of the best shelling beaches in the area. Its 1.5 miles out from the Caxambas Park boat ramp and is a popular destination for kayakers interested in exploring the Ten Thousand Islands.

The shore is lined by a forest of ancient dead trees and the beach offers a surreal landscape to walk through. The shore here looks like a landscape of giant thorns. This is one of the most interesting beaches in the area and is definitely a “must visit” place. From the island you can see the high rises of Marco Island in the distance.

Numerous shells will pile up here, especially behind the dead trees as they trap the shells on the receding waves and tides. Along the middle section of the island, be on the lookout for the “Old Whalebones”. These are not to be disturbed but are unique feature here as pods of whales have been known to come here to die. This is like the “elephant graveyard” but for whales.

The “thorn beach” is roughly 1.5 miles long till it gives way to the sandy expanse of Blind Pass Beach.

Blind Pass Beach

Located on the south end of Kice Island on the north side of Blind Pass is Blind Pass Beach. This is one of the best beach camping sites in all of Southwest Florida. Here the thorny beach of much of Kice Island gives way to a small pocket of fine sandy beach.

This beach has a sheltered harbor for anchoring and landing along Blind Pass. The campsite here is generally much less crowded than the tip of Cape Romano. Along Blind Pass one can often find very large conch shells in the sand along the pass. This is also a popular campsite with the wilds of Cape Romano to the south and the high rises of Marco still visible to the north.

Morgan Beach

Morgan Beach, located on Morgan Island is that oft overlooked beach on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Located south of Blind Pass, this beach is extremely varied with numerous small coves and inlets. This is perhaps the most interesting beaches in all of Southwest Florida geographically but it is often only viewed from the water. The northern part of Morgan Beach is very similar to Kice Island beach with a forest of dead trees along a shoreline of driftwood, rocks and marl.

A little ways south you come to a patch of sandy beach on the gulf side with a mud flat on the side facing Morgan Bay. On the bay side there are several mangrove tunnels to explore by Kayak. South of the sandbar here is a very shallow inlet and another section of marl and driftwood beach. Along this middle portion of Morgan Beach are several small coves and inlets. These provide entry into the maze of islands and channels that is Morgan Bay.

At the south end of Morgan Beach is Morgan Pass and the main entry to Morgan Bay. There is a nice section of sandy beach here similar to Blind Pass. The area along the pass offers excellent shelling at times but many areas are rocky and peaty with angry waves pounding the shore.

Morgan Beach is a shifting sand “baymouth bar” at the entrance to Morgan Bay and the shallow inlets into Morgan Bay open and close with the seasons and storms. This area always changes with the tides and storms and can be different from visit to visit.

Cape Romano

You have probably heard of it, the “Cape Romano Dome House” or just “The Dome Homes”. This is where the famed dome house is located. For someone just getting started exploring the Cape Romano Islands, this is the island to visit. There are commercial guided tours to explore Cape Romano and that is the recommended way for visitors to see this unique location.

The tour out to Cape Romano operated by Florida Adventures and Rentals departs from Caxambas Park and will bring you right out past the Dome House and after visiting the dome house, you will have a guided tour of Cape Romano Island where you will explore this island’s unique history and geography. The tour is $65 and is available on every day except Sunday.

Cape Romano Island is a shaped like a check mark with both a west and an east beach. At the very southern tip is the famed dome house. The dome house is about 338 feet offshore now and the area is heavily eroded. The famed dome house was originally the home of inventor Bob Lee who had it constructed in 1981 and used Cape Romano Island as his private retreat.

The house was built to withstand the harsh winds of the many hurricanes that pummeled Cape Romano through the years. It was originally built on a sandbar between Old Morgan Pass and the Gulf of Mexico, the sandbar has since washed away leaving the dome house standing in the water.

The western beach is 3 quarters of a mile long and offers a view of the dome house along its southern half. The beach then gives way to a mangrove and rock shoreline along the southern end of the cape.

At the very southern tip of Cape Romano is an area well suited to camping and its location away from city lights makes it one of the best locations in Southwest Florida for astronomy. The area has been dubbed, the “Cape Romano Astronomical Station” and has been the site for much amateur and professional astronomy.

A clear horizon in almost all directions can be found here with water on 3 sides of the cape. This location is unparalleled in all of Southwest Florida for the amount of sky visible and the lack of glare from city lights. More than 75% of the horizon is visible in all directions from this location.

There is NO electricity or running water available on the Island. You must bring everything you need.

The East Beach is VERY unique and offers the only due east facing outer coast beach in all of Collier County. This is the ONLY place to watch the sunrise at the beach in all of Collier County. This beach is 1.4 miles long and stretches from the southern tip of Cape Romano to about the halfway point on the east side of the island.

The northern half of Cape Romano’s eastern shore is mangrove lined and features a walking path between the various pocket beaches along this section. This path is a mile long and ends at the the pocket beach near the entrance of Snook Hole Channel. This area is a dolphin congregating area where dolphins come to feed on the fish in Snook Hole channel.

Helen Key Beach

If you are looking for a secluded beach, look no further than Helen Key. This beach has a deserted island feel and perhaps some of the best shelling in Southwest Florida. Its like Sanibel with a southwest facing beach, but there are NEVER crowds here. You will NEVER see this place advertised and locals would prefer it stay that way. Just like Sanibel, the beach here has a southern exposure as well as wave and tide conditions conducive to bringing in a lot of shells.

The beach here is a little bit muddy, and wave action is minimal as it is sheltered by Cape Romano.

Helen Key is 3.5 miles southeast of Caxambas Park and is accessible only by watercraft. This is a destination for a slightly more advanced adventurer looking to explore the Ten Thousand Islands. The island has 1 mile of beach and the island is in a completely natural state with no structures along the beach.

Goodland Area Beaches

Located just east of Marco Island is Goodland. The tiny community of Goodland, located off State Road 92 at the southeast corner of the island, offers visitors a laid back charm unlike any other place in the region.

The stillness of the village, where cats and dogs can be found napping in the streets, changes drastically on Sundays when hundreds of residents and visitors make the pilgrimage to Stan’s for an afternoon of outdoor music, drinks and dancing.

While mostly known for boating and fishing in the mangroves of the Ten Thousand Islands, Goodland does have a few beaches in the area. These beaches are accessible only by boat and are almost NEVER crowded.

Tripod Key Beach

Tripod Key is the closest beach to Goodland and is only 1.16 miles from Goodland Boat Park. This is a good adventure for beginners to explore the Ten Thousand Islands. The west side of the island is a mud flat along Coon Key Pass with a driftwood lined marl and rock shore on the south side of the island.

This is not really a traditional beach, but is interesting nonetheless. The mud flats along Coon Key Pass are not really that pleasant to walk through and are best viewed from the water. Water along this section is shallow and even small kayaks CAN RUN AGROUND here.

The mud flat section is about half a mile long and dolphins often feed just off this shoreline. Dolphins are very active here and will chase fish up the gradually sloping mud flats along this section, so this one of the best areas to see dolphins.

The south shore of Tripod Key is a half mile long and faces the Gulf of Mexico with Coon Key just offshore. This beach is the closest actual beach to Goodland, but it is mostly unremarkable. The beach here is very narrow and is lined by driftwood and stumps.

Goodlanders often come here when Coon Key is crowded, but this beach is best avoided at dawn and dusk as the mosquitoes and no-see-ums can be vicious.

Coon Key Beach

Coon Key is a small islet in the Gulf just outside the entrance to Coon Key Pass. Coon Key is a popular hangout for boaters in the Goodland Area and features several small pocket beaches around the island. The sandbar on the northern tip of the island is the local boater’s “party beach” and is the place to see and be seen in goodland. Every Saturday Goodlanders come here to fish (and drink beer).

The island has a population of raccoons, and one has to be on the lookout for raccoons when having a picnic at this location. RACCOONS in the ten thousand islands have been known to chew through water jugs and drink up mariner’s water supplies.

The pocket beach on the southwestern shore of the island is a quiet beach with minimal wave action that gets a fresh batch of the area’s delicate seashells on the tidal currents twice a day. Its 2 miles from Goodland out to Coon Key, and its simply a ride the tide situation for paddlers and motorboaters to get out here.

Brush Island Beach

Brush Island features just under a half mile of beach and is perhaps one of the best beaches in the Goodland area. This beach is a great place for beach camping and is only 2.5 miles from Goodland. This is a great place for an intermediate adventurer looking to explore and camp in the Ten Thousand Islands. This can be a good day trip or an overnight and no camping permit is necessary to camp here.

The northwestern point of the island features a large sandbar suitable for a paddler’s stopover and the entire west side of the island is lined with several pocket beaches as well as uplands suitable for camping. The southern end of the island features a stumpy and brushy beach that traps lots of shells, which gradually gives way to a rocky and brushy southern tip. The brush tangle at the southern tip is why this island is called Brush Island.

Jackfish Island Beach

Jackfish Island is a rather unremarkable beach located only a tenth of a mile east of Brush Island. This is a great spot to visit from Brush Island and offers fairly good shelling on the eastern shore. If Brush Island is ever too crowded with campers, you can head to Jackfish Island and you often have the whole place to yourself.

The beaches of Jackfish Island are in a sheltered cove and are a great place to camp during adverse weather conditions due to the fact that winds are blocked by land.

The eastern shore of Jackfish Island has a large beach area with ample space to camp (it could hold a whole army platoon). The south end of Jackfish Island is mangrove shoreline and is not a sandy beach.

Camp Key Beach (Welk Island)

Camp Key is a tiny islet just offshore between Jackfish Island and Shell Key. Camping here is permitted, but I wouldn’t advise it due to the island’s exposure to winds and storms. The island is tiny, and can be a stopover on the way to Shell Key and Turtle Key.

Shell Key Beach

On Shell Key you’ll find a quarter mile of beach of which only the western 1/3 is sandy. The eastern 2/3 of the beach here is rocky with stumps, marl and driftwood. The Long Rock Shoal juts south from the island which is an excellent fishing spot. On the island’s western beach you will find numerous “bay side” shells such as the rare and prized pink telin. Camping here is allowed, but there are much better camping beaches not far away.

Turtlette Key Beach

Located between Shell Key and Turtle Key is Turtlette Key. This small island features just under half a mile of beach. There is a large sandy beach on the northwestern end of Turtlette Key which is a great place to land your vessel and enjoy the beach. The beach on the southeastern part of Turtlette Key is a stumpy “wild beach”. Turtlette Key is so named because of the sea turtle hatchlings that are often seen on the beach here. Camping on Turtlette Key is discouraged in order to help protect sea turtles.

Turtlette Key is approximately a 4.5 mile voyage from Goodland, so if you are looking for a destination for a good adventure this is the place. Turtle Key which is a great backwoods camping spot is just across Turtle Pass from Turtlette. This beach offers excellent shelling, especially the northwestern sandbar along Shell Pass facing shell key. Shell Pass offers a deeper water approach, and there is a sheltered lagoon behind the sandbar which serves as an anchorage for small craft.

Turtle Key Beach

At 4.76 miles from Goodland, this is the beach for serious adventurers looking to camp in the backcountry of the Ten Thousand Islands. The beach here is a mile long and you often have the whole island to yourself. You can run your jet ski here and no one will complain. Blow through where the rumrunners used to run their goods during prohibition. Turtle key has small secret cove near the eastern end of its beach leading to a narrow mangrove creek into the center of the island. Local legend says that this creek was once used by bootlegging operations and the island was once home to an active moonshine still and drug processing operation.

Port of the Islands area Beaches

Port of the Islands is the gateway to the middle Ten Thousand Islands. Most of the “islands” of the Ten Thousand Islands aren’t real islands at all, just clumps of mosquito-infested red mangrove growing out of the shallow coastline. There are however some (a few hundred) islands that are true islands and have actual land. Very few of these actually have sandy beaches.

The coastline here is mostly wetlands, and the mangrove swamps here serve as nurseries for numerous aquatic species offering some of the best fishing on the gulf coast.

The history behind these buildings and community is noteworthy, as it was the beginning of Golden Gate Estates. Back in the 1960s, the Port of the Islands began as Remuda Ranch, a luxury hotel where potential investors, consumers and visitors were flown in and catered to in order to experience the unique splendor of Southwest Florida. Remuda Ranch was built and used by the real estate developer, Gulf American Land Corporation, up until the corporation sold. The Gulf American Land Corporation used to ferry prospective land buyers out to the beaches in the area to show them “the best beaches in Florida”.

In 1980, a developer named Bill Ray obtained the land and acquired a $7 Million bond in an attempt to complete the community. After Ray passed in 1991, his family auctioned off the remaining land in 1994 to contractors and private entities. Thus began the start of the completion of many homes, villas and condos in Orchid Cove, Sunrise Cay, Sunset Cay, Villages at Stella Maris and more throughout the community. 

Port of the Islands beaches are ONLY ACCESSABLE BY BOAT, this is not the islands but a port for getting to the islands. The Port of the Islands Marina is located right next to the Port of the Islands Everglades Adventure Resort. This is the place for adventure travelers to truly experience the everglades with a wide array of kayak, jetski, airboat and motorboat options for exploring the surrounding area.

Gullivan Key Beach

Gullivan Key is the most remote beach in the Port of the Islands area and on weekends there are often one or more scout troops camping here. Here you will find 3 quarters of a mile of unspoiled southwest facing gulf beach. There is excellent shelling and the island is close to both backwater and offshore fishing grounds.

Its about 10 miles from Port of the Islands out to Gullivan Key and the trip out to Gullivan Key is an expedition level tour through the Ten Thousand Islands.

White Horse Key Beach

White Horse Key has perhaps the best beach in the Port of the Islands Area. The island features 1.1 miles of white sand beach with a southwestern exposure towards the Gulf of Mexico. This is one of the best shelling beaches in the Port of The Islands area and is the only beach in the area visited by commercial tour operators.

Wild Florida Ecotours offers a guided boat tour of White Horse Key out of Port of the Islands. For $69 one can get an introduction to the Ten Thousand Islands and this is the best way for novice adventurers to experience this unique part of Florida.

Hog Key Beach

Home a herd of Hogs, Hog Key is the least visited beach in Port of the Islands. Camping is allowed here and with fishing and hunting permitted in the area. Hog Key features just over half a mile of gulf front beach. Wave action here is minimal as Hog Key is located in a recessed area along the coast.

The west end of Hog Key’s beach is a semicircular cove that was once an inlet. This area is the best section of Hog Key for camping with a sheltered area to park vessels during storms.

The eastern section of Hog Key consists of pocket beaches amongst a shoreline of marl and driftwood.

Panther Key Beach

Panther Key Beach is the closest beach to Port of the Islands. Its 7.8 miles from Port of the Islands out to Panther Key. This is one of the most popular beach camping spots in the Ten Thousand Islands and is a must visit for every everglades adventurer.

Panther Key is a historic place, sometimes known as Panther Glade. The island is named after Panther John Gomez, a legendary pirate just like Jose Gaspar. He was a fisherman, a hunting and fishing guide, a pirate, a sometime filibuster and rumrunner.

Panther John was said to be Gaspar’s cabin-boy or his chief mate. One version said that John was Gaspar’s brother-in-law. 

The island is home to the remains of his pirate hideout located at Gomez Point on the south tip of the island.

With 1.5 miles of beach, Panther Key has the longest stretch of beach in the Port of the Islands area. The island has two main beach areas, East Beach, and West Beach. East Beach is located along Faka Union Pass at the main entry of the Port of the Islands boat channel and is the primary camping beach on the island.

The island’s western beach is wider and much less crowded. This beach offers the best shelling and is generally on the windward side of the island.

Camp Lulu Key Beach

Camp Lulu Key is the “party beach” for the locals in Port of the Islands. On New Years Eve there is often an illegal fireworks show and bonfire here where motorboaters and paddlers come out to this island for the night. The site is also popular for large gatherings on holiday weekends throughout the year. We often call it “Parties Everglades Style”.

Camp Lulu Key features 3 quarters of a mile of white sand gulf beach with a southern exposure. You can see both the sunset AND sunrise from this beach which is fairly unique among Florida beaches. The island is home to beautiful orchids and the several shacks that are the remains of an old naval camp.

The beach here is 10 miles from Port of the Islands and is accessible only by private boat. If you are out fishing in Port of the Islands be sure to stop off at Camp Lulu Key, bring a cooler and some beer and enjoy the beach “Everglades Style”.

There is oftentimes an outhouse available on Camp Lulu Key which is here to reduce the damage to the island caused by local revelers.

Everglades City Area Beaches

Everglades City is known more for its swamps than its beaches. Most of the shoreline here is mangrove swamp and salt marsh, but there are a few pocket beaches on the outer islands near Everglades City. These are NOT touristy beaches and cater to adventure travelers looking for a seldom visited wild place.

The only beaches here accessible by road are a few small pocket beaches on Chokoloskee Island. The other beaches here are very remote and are accessible only by private vessel. If you want to see the shoreline here and not actually land on the beaches, there is a Ten Thousand Islands Tour available daily from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center at Everglades National Park.

This 90-minute excursion ventures across Chokoloskee Bay, into Indian Key Pass, and through the mangrove islands of Everglades National Park. A naturalist will highlight the rich history and unique wildlife of the area. This excursion ventures across Chokoloskee Bay, into Indian Key Pass, and through the mangrove islands of Everglades National Park. Upon arrival to the Gulf of Mexico, guests may enjoy views of Indian Key, Stop Key, Picnic Key, and Tiger Key.

On the way you will encounter alligators, crocodiles, dolphins, and manatees. The tour is $40 and is a good introduction to the Everglades coastal environment.

Due to the presence of NUMEROUS alligators, snakes and crocodiles swimming is NOT advised at any of the Everglades City area beaches.

If you visit the outer islands here, there are NO concessions available – PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT. You must bring everything you need. There is no electricity and NO running water available at Indian Key, Stop Key, Picnic Key or Tiger Key.

Chololoskee Beach

The small pocket beaches on Chokoloskee Island are the only beaches in the Everglades City area accessible by road. The largest of which is the beach facing Chololoskee Bay near the causeway just across from the Fishing Hole boat ramp. Parking at this beach is FREE, and offers access to a tenth of a mile of beach.

There are 2 other beaches on Chololoskee, a small pocket beach as the end of Calusa Drive, and one by the Ted Smallwood Trading Post Museum. These beaches face southwest , also towards Chokoloskee Bay.

These beaches are often muddy and are not the sand beaches typical of the more developed areas of Southwest Florida. The beaches here mostly serve as launch points for exploring the Ten Thousand Islands.

Indian Key Beach

Indian Key Beach is the southernmost beach in Collier County. It is located in Everglades National Park and is the most popular backcountry beach in Everglades National Park. Accessible only by private vessel this is the easiest of the Everglades City gulf beaches to access.

If you time it with the tide, paddling out to Indian Key is very easy. The ebbing tide will take you 5.5 miles down through Indian Key Pass out to Indian Key. All you have to do is steer to stay in the marked channel. This is a good introductory tour of the mangrove forests in this part of the everglades.

The island is visited by both day trippers and overnight campers visiting from Picnic Key. The beach on Indian Key is about 3 quarters of a mile long and since the island sits in the middle of the Indian Key Pass currents its a great place to go fishing for both backwater and open water species.

Once the tide turns (the tides here are semi-diurnal), the currents will push you right back to Everglades City.

The real star attraction here isn’t really the beach, but the waters around the area. The abundance of wildlife here is what people come for, with dolphins, manatees, crocodiles, and alligators all seen in the areas near Indian Key.

Stop Key Beach

A tiny islet near Indian Key, this can be an alternate destination for adventurers, and is almost always less visited than Indian Key. Do I need to say that the island is TINY. With only a tenth of a mile of beach, this is just that a quick stopover on the way to Picnic Key or Tiger Key.

Picnic Key Beach

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Like the name suggests, this is a great place for a picnic. This is one of the few true sandy beaches in Everglades National Park. This is also the most popular backcountry camping site in Everglades National Park. Its just west of Stop Key, across Gaskin Bay. The beach is a fine white sand beach that stretches .6 miles along the gulf from Gaskin Bay to Jane and Tina Pass.

On Picnic Key there is an outhouse and minimal facilities available. The beach on the east end of Picnic Key is a mess of tangled driftwood, but the west end is one of the finest beaches in Everglades City. Here along Jane and Tina Pass is the main campsite and the beach here has some of the clearest water. If you are going for a dip – make sure water is CLEAR. Crocodiles can hide in murky water and are easily upset.

Tiger Key Beach

Across Jane and Tina Pass from Picnic Key is the slightly more remote Tiger Key. Here you will find a FULL MILE of west facing gulf beach. The island stretches from Jane and Tina Pass in the southeast to West Pass in the northwest. The park service limits the number of campers on each island. If you go during the week, you will be alone. If you go on a weekend, be sure to get your backcountry camping permit promptly at 8 a.m., when the ranger station opens.

Tiger Key also boasts views of the parties and fireworks that oftentimes occur on the infamous Camp Lulu Key near port of the islands.