COLLIER COUNTY AQUATIC FACILITIES

Check out the Collier County aquatic facilities for an affordable way to make a splash. Each location features a 25-yard by 25-meter heated pool, a children’s activity pool, a wading pool, and thrilling water slides. Admission is budget-friendly, making it an excellent choice for families. The aquatic facilities include:

Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park

As the newest addition to Collier County’s aquatic parks, Big Corkscrew Island offers state-of-the-art facilities and fun for all ages.

Visit Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park

810 39th Ave NE, Naples

(239) 252-4900

Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park

Enjoy the amenities at this popular community park.

Visit Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park

11565 Tamiami Trail E, Naples

(239) 252-3527

Golden Gate Aquatic Facility

Experience the fun and cool off at Golden Gate, including swimming, aerobic and general classes.

Visit Golden Gate Aquatic Facility

3300 Santa Barbara Blvd, Naples

239-252-6128

RIVER PARK AQUATIC CENTER

The Aquatic Center offers fun for free! With six lap lanes, a teaching pool, and an exciting 360-degree water slide, this facility is perfect for families. The zero-depth beach entry pool with interactive water features adds extra excitement for youngsters.

Visit River Park Aquatic Center

451 11th St N, Naples

(239) 213-3040

VINEYARDS SPLASH PAD

For a smaller water play area, the Vineyards Splash Pad offers a variety of sprinklers and water features. The free activity area is tucked behind the recreation center next to the playground at Vineyard Community Park.

Visit Vineyards Community Park

6231 Arbor Blvd W, Naples

(239) 252-4105

LAKE AVALON AT SUGDEN REGIONAL PARK

If you want the beach experience without the salty water, visit Lake Avalon at Sugden Regional Park. The 60-acre lake features a roped-in swim area, keeping people safe from the sailors and water skiers who share the water. There is a playground right beside the beach and restrooms nearby.

Visit Lake Avalon at Sugden Regional Park

4284 Avalon Dr, Naples

239-252-4052

MORE RESOURCES

Our Favorite Family-Friendly Beach Parks in Southwest Florida

39 Great Ways to Play On The Water This Summer

Top Playgrounds With Shade in Collier and Lee Counties

The post Best Places to Get Wet and Cool Off in Naples appeared first on SWFL Family.

NAPLES

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park:

• canoe/kayak launch and great fishing, too

www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/delnor-wiggins-pass-state-park

Vanderbilt Beach:

• famous for pop-up sunset celebrations

www.collierparks.com/collier_park/vanderbilt-beach-park/

Barefoot Beach Preserve:

• it’s also a gopher tortoise sanctuary
• wonderful learning center

www.collierparks.com/collier_park/barefoot-beach-preserve

Lowdermilk Park:

• gazebos and picnic tables can be reserved for birthday parties

www.naplesgov.com/parksrec/page/lowdermilk-park

Clam Pass Beach Park:

• complimentary tram ride through the mangroves

www.collierparks.com/collier_park/clam-pass-park

Naples Pier Beach:

• bath and shower facilities open
• pier is partially open pending repairs.
• webcam on the website

www.NaplesPanorama.org

ESTERO

Lover’s Key State Park:

• fabulous Discovery Center
• guided hikes
• fishing and more

www.floridastateparks.org/Lovers-Key

MARCO ISLAND

Tigertail Beach:

• wade, paddle or SUP to a shell-rich barrier island, a habitat of protected shore birds and several osprey nests

www.collierparks.com/collier_park/tigertail-beach-park

Sanibel Island:

• the world’s best shelling beaches!
• the favorites are Lighthouse Beach, Gulfside City Park and Tarpon Bay Beach

www.sanibelisland.com

Keewaydin Island:

• stunning white-sand barrier island on the Intracoastal Waterway, accessible from Naples or Marco Island only by boat
• no facilities except visits from those super-cute food boats: Just Beachy Burgers and In the Pink Ice Cream

Coming back soon: 

Always a family favorite for its many beachy restaurants, souvenir shops, and historic pier, Lynn Hall Memorial Park/Times Square on Fort Myers Beach was hit especially hard by Hurricane Ian. Recovering like a champ, especially the wind and water sports options, it’s still a work in progress.

Our Travel Editor, Karen T. Bartlett, scours the globe for interesting and unique experiences to share with our readers. Her work has been published in scores of magazines and tourism guides in several countries. She’s the author/photographer of a dozen destination books and is the publisher of the “Mostly Kids’ Guides” family guidebook series. www.KarenTBartlett.com

The post Our Favorite Family-Friendly Beach Parks in Southwest Florida appeared first on SWFL Family.

The best times to find sharks’ teeth are at low tide and after a storm. Using a metal sifter is the quickest way to collect them.

Venice

Venice is known as the shark tooth capital of the world. The Venice Fishing Pier at Brohard Park is an excellent place to start, but any of the beaches in Venice should have some washing onshore. Free parking, food concessions, picnic shelters, showers, and boardwalks are available.

101 The Esplanade, Venice • www.venicegov.com

Englewood Beach

If you don’t want to drive north to Venice, check out this beach in Charlotte County. Englewood Beach at Chadwick Park has a boardwalk, restrooms, showers, picnic areas, and a playground.

2100 N Beach Road, Englewood • 941-681-3742 • www.charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/community-services/parks/all-parks/

Caspersen Beach

This beach is known as a terrific place to find prehistoric shark teeth. The area also has restrooms, a nature trail, a fishing pier, a picnic area, a playground, and a canoe launch

4100 Harbor Drive, Venice • (941) 861-5000 • www.sarasotacountyparks.com/parks-and-facilities

Don Pedro Island State Park

Don Pedro Island State Park can only be reached by boat or ferry, so there is not as much competition when finding shark teeth. Most of the island is still closed from damage from Hurricane Ian.

8450 Placida Road, Cape Haze • 941-759-2007 • www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/don-pedro-island-state-park

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