Discover Beaches

BONITA SPRINGS

Barefoot Beach Preserve is at the south end of Bonita Beach; look for the signs at the intersection of Barefoot Beach Boulevard and Bonita Beach Road. Enter past the security booth and continue two miles past private houses. This 342-acre preserve contains a coastal hammock, 8,200 feet of beachfront and low sand dunes. Facilities include changing rooms, showers, restrooms and snack bar. Canoe rides at the canoe launch are available at times. The preserve also offers nature interpretation stations. Entrance for nonresidents is $4 per vehicle. (239) 353-0404.

Bonita Public Beach is 10 minutes from I-75 (Exit 116) off Bonita Beach Road at Hickory Boulevard. Facilities include picnic tables, restrooms, watersports rentals and concession stand. Handicapped access is available. Parking is 75 cents per hour, and the lot fills early on weekends and during season. Beach access (with limited facilities and parking) is north of the main beach (239) 461-7400.

CAPE CORAL

Cape Coral Yacht Club, 5819 Driftwood Parkway, is home to Cape Coral's only beach. Located on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, the area features shaded picnic tables, restrooms, outdoor showers, tennis courts, a free public boat ramp, barbecue area, bait shop, heated public pool and a large beach pavilion available for rent. In addition to programs and special events, coastal navigation classes and marine biology workshops for adults and children are offered. Parking is free. (239) 574-0806.

FORT MYERS BEACH

Bowditch Point Regional Park. Take Matanzas Pass Bridge onto the beach. Turn right at foot of bridge and follow Estero Boulevard to the end. If you like an unspoiled, uncrowded, wide sandy beach with lots of native vegetation, check out this park at the north end of Estero Island. The peaceful 17 acres front bay and Gulf. Amenities include restrooms, showers, changing rooms, picnic tables, grills, hiking paths, benches, bike racks, a handicapped-accessible boardwalk to the beach, and a beautiful courtyard pavilion, which can be rented for weddings and private parties. Seasonal concessions. Parking is 75 cents per hour. Six handicapped parking spots available. A trolley (25-cent fare) runs every 15 minutes. Park free at Main Street Park-and-Ride lot, just north of Matanzas Pass Bridge.

Bunche Beach, on John Morris Road off Summerlin Road before the Sanibel Causeway, has no facilities and overlooks Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island. It is popular with fishermen and paddlers. Parking limited.

Fort Myers Beach, just east of Lynn Hall Park. Plenty of beach bars and cafés, places to rent waverunners, go parasailing, jet boating and Hobie Catting. Volleyball nets available. Parking can be a problem. Free spots go quickly. Park at Lynn Hall and walk, or at a private lot, at meters under the bridge, or ride the 25-cent trolley.

Lover's Key State Park. Pristine barrier islands between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach combine more than 700 acres of estuaries and wetlands and two miles of beachfront. The entrance is at Lover's Key; a tram is available to take patrons to the beach. Parking is plentiful. Admission is $1 for pedestrians and bicyclists; $2 for motor vehicles with one person; and $4 for those with two to eight occupants. Special rates for vehicles with more than eight occupants. The park features picnic and wedding pavilions, a concession stand, an expanded parking lot and a 700-foot bridge linking the two barrier islands. Canoe, kayak and bicycle concessions available. (239) 463-4588.

Lynn Hall Memorial Park. Turn right at foot of Matanzas Pass Bridge, left off North Estero Boulevard. A family affair, plus lots of teens. There's a huge parking lot; 25 cents for 20 minutes. Get there before 11 a.m. to get a spot. A playground for the kids, fishing pier, picnic huts, benches, information kiosk and loads of shops and restaurants at Times Square, a pedestrian mall with lights, trees and outdoor tables. The bathrooms score high, and county staff keep the whole park clean. Change and soda machines available. Free admission. Parking lot open 24 hours. (239) 461-7400.

MARCO ISLAND

South Marco Beach, located on South Collier Boulevard, is open from sunrise to sundown and includes restroom facilities. A $3 parking fee is payable at the master meter. (239) 353-0404.

Tigertail Beach, a county park located at the end of Hernando Drive, includes a bathhouse, restrooms and a concession stand offering beach equipment rentals, food and drinks. Parking is $4 per day. Come early as the lot fills quickly. (239) 353-0404.

NAPLES

Clam Pass Recreational Area is a county park near The Registry Resort on Seagate Drive. A shuttle transports visitors from the free parking area over a half-mile boardwalk to the sandy beach. The shuttle runs daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. Chairs, cabanas and watersports items may be rented from a beach concession beginning at 7 a.m. Restrooms and foot showers available. (239) 353-0404.

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Recreational Area is nestled at the north end of Naples at the intersection of Route 846 (Immokalee Road-111th Ave. N.) and Gulf Shore Drive North. Facilities include grills, a shaded picnic area, restrooms with wheelchair access, one free wheelchair, outdoor showers, changing rooms, five large parking areas and a covered pavilion available for rent. Use of the boat ramp is $2.12. Park rangers conduct general nature programs in the winter and sea turtle programs in the summer. Beachgoers are cautioned against swimming in areas with swiftly moving currents. Admission is $1 for pedestrians and bicyclists; $2 for motor vehicles with one person; and $4 for those with two to eight occupants. Special rates for vehicles with more than eight occupants. (239) 597-6196.

Lowdermilk Park is located along Gulf Shore Boulevard at Banyan Boulevard. The park offers 1,000 feet of beachfront, plus outdoor showers, gazebos, picnic tables, a playground, volleyball court, concession stand and a picturesque duck pond. The restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Metered parking is 75 cents per hour. (239) 213-3029.

Naples Fishing Pier is at 12th Avenue South in the heart of Old Naples. Florida's largest free fishing pier extends 1,000 feet into the Gulf of Mexico and has showers, restrooms, a bait shop and a snack bar. Dolphin visit frequently. Metered parking is located nearby with additional parking and accesses along Gulf Shore Boulevard. (239) 213-3062.

North Gulfshore Boulevard Beach, located at the end of Seagate Drive, is open from sunrise to sundown. No facilities. There is a $3 parking fee payable at the master meter. (239) 353-0404.

Vanderbilt Beach, at the end of Vanderbilt Drive, is a tree- and residence-lined county beach that stretches for miles. Vanderbilt offers ample car parking with easy handicap accessibility to the beach, restrooms and showers. Snacks, beverages and watersports rentals are available at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples and Vanderbilt Inn resorts. Parking at Vanderbilt Drive is $4. (239) 353-0404.

SANIBEL/CAPTIVA ISLANDS

Blind Pass Beach right before Blind Pass Bridge on Sanibel-Captiva Road. No facilities, but there are numerous restaurants nearby. A popular place for watching the sunset, it was listed as one of the country's most romantic beaches by Condé Nast Traveler.

Bowman's Beach is located off Sanibel-Captiva Road on Bowman's Beach Road. Noted for its wildlife and seclusion, it offers plentiful parking, plus restrooms, changing rooms, showers, drinking fountains, picnic tables, grills and parking for recreational vehicles.

Gulfside City Park is located off Casa Ybel Road on Sanibel. It has shaded picnic areas, restrooms and showers.

Lighthouse Beach is at the site of a historic, working lighthouse. Located at the southeastern tip of Sanibel, it offers a small fishing pier, restrooms, drinking fountains, hiking paths, plus limited parking for recreational vehicles.

Sanibel Causeway. Visitors must pay a $3 toll to Sanibel and Captiva islands, and many people are happy to go no farther than the two islands that make up the causeway. In addition to tree-lined beaches on both sides of the road and picnic tables and restrooms on the second island, both offer excellent shelling. The causeway islands are popular for their outstanding fishing and windsurfing. All public parks on Sanibel Island are run by the city, and most parking is free for residents who purchase ABC parking stickers; $2 per hour otherwise. Restrooms are located at most public accesses, and a mobile concession stand frequents Lighthouse Park. Pets are allowed but must be leashed at all times, and owners must pick up after them. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited from November to May. (239) 472-1080.

Tarpon Bay Beach, on Tarpon Bay Road on Sanibel, has restrooms and parking for recreational vehicles.

Turner Beach is at the north end of Blind Pass, which separates Sanibel and Captiva islands. Popular with families and fishermen, although signs caution against swimming due to swift currents. Somewhat calmer waters are to the north. Parking limited.