Southwest Florida has one of the most gorgeous stretches of white sand coastline in America, often ranked by critics for the best shelling on the planet. Here are our favorite family-friendly beach parks with a variety of amenities, such as picnic and play areas, restrooms, food concessions, umbrella rentals, wind and water sports, and children's life jacket loaners. So pick one, gather up the family and enjoy the number one reason we live here in Paradise!
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
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
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