Public Access beaches in Naples represent the city's commitment to maintaining Gulf Coast shoreline accessibility in Collier County, where Naples developed as a planned winter resort in the late 1880s. General John S. Williams and Walter Haldeman sailed down the coast in 1885, discovering the location of present-day Naples with its miles of pristine beaches, founding the Naples Town Improvement Company in 1886 to develop it as a winter retreat for wealthy northern families. Rose Cleveland, sister of President Grover Cleveland, became the first guest to register at the Naples Hotel when it opened on January 22, 1889. The steamship Fearless ferried winter visitors to the Naples Pier, establishing the area as a quiet resort spot. The arrival of the railroad and construction of the Tamiami Trail aided development as a tourist destination. The original Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, established in 1946 by Henry B. Watkins, operated under family stewardship for 70 years. The transformation into the Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort, opened November 17, 2025, as a billion-plus redevelopment marking Four Seasons' first Southwest Florida location with 220 rooms and 153 private residences.
Public Access beaches throughout Naples provide multiple entry points to Gulf Coast shores, including premier locations like Lowdermilk Park featuring metered and unmetered parking, concession stands, sand volleyball courts, two children's playgrounds, picnic tables, benches, restroom and shower facilities, and two rentable gazebos. Three public beach accesses in Park Shore offer parking lots and beautiful beaches. Barefoot Beach at Naples' north end attracts walkers with firm sand, family-friendly amenities near Parking Lot 1, and relative seclusion from second and third parking lots. Quieter stretches south of Naples Pier provide public access with pay-or-permit parking on side streets off Gulfshore Boulevard South and Gordon Drive. Beach permits are available from City Hall for city residents, while Collier County residents obtain permits from any county park or library. Public access areas cannot be blocked or impeded, though historical disputes near private properties like the Ritz-Carlton have occurred. The beaches offer swimming, shelling, dolphin watching, and sunset viewing along the Gulf of Mexico.
Dining near Naples public beaches showcases exceptional Gulf seafood along Fifth Avenue South's acclaimed culinary corridor featuring over 32 stylish, award-winning restaurants. Ocean Prime on Fifth Avenue South serves nationally acclaimed seafood and steaks from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants in an ideal setting adjacent to the Inn on 5th. Truluck's on 4th Avenue specializes in Florida Stone Crab served trap-to-table within 24 hours during October-May season, steps from the luxury 5th Avenue Business District. Keewaydin's on 5th Avenue South features handcrafted cocktails, fresh seafood, and relaxed Florida vibes with Happy Hour specials including bar bites, oysters, and 0 Titos martinis. Kelly's Fish House Dining Room, a Naples tradition since 1953 and the city's oldest seafood restaurant, specializes in fresh-caught stone crabs, Gulf grouper, snapper, and wild-caught Florida pink shrimp. The dining scene ranges from fine dining to al fresco options with traditional Italian, American burgers, and the freshest Gulf seafood.
