BAREFOOT BEACH
Where
Barefoot Beach Preserve is located at 505 Barefoot Beach Blvd., Naples, FL 34110. (505 Barefoot Beach Blvd., Bonita Springs, FL 34134 is another frequently used address; both will get you to the same spot.) Here’s a list of other Collier County Parks.
Vibe
Award-winning beach on a stunning, undeveloped barrier island. Barefoot Beach invites you to escape the crowds and enjoy nature’s best on 8,200 feet of pristine, white sand beach. Tranquil waters, beautiful seashells and blockbuster sunsets make it popular with beachgoers of all varieties.
See, feel
With 342 acres of natural land and a sprawling shoreline, you’ll never have to fight for a spot to plant your beach umbrella at Barefoot Beach. The sand is clean and white, and resplendent with shells—so you may want to wear beach shoes. A mesmerizing clear, turquoise hue, the water is clean, warm, and shallow, ideal for visitors with small children. Palms, dunes bristling with sea oats and sea grapes, and luxe houses provide a dreamy backdrop. While the water is normally calm, winds, tides and offshore system can occasionally cause rough conditions.
On or near the beach
Work on perfecting your tan; swim in the clean, placid waters of the Gulf; or hunt for shells that include cockles, murex, coquinas, and sand dollars. Fishermen can hook into good fishing here, with catches that include whiting, pompano, snappers, redfish, and snook.
Accessibility
Barefoot Beach Preserve has dune crossovers to the beach from the parking areas. It has one beach wheelchair available on a first-come, first-served basis. You can’t reserve it. If it’s not available, Clam Pass Park, a nearby Collier County beach park, offers beach wheelchair rentals.
Facilities
Barefoot Beach Preserve’s amenities include portable restrooms, a portable wash station, dune crossovers, and rangers to help guide you to the beach access location. The Barefoot Beach access, sited just north of the Preserve, offers picnic pavilions.
Lifeguards
There are no lifeguards; swim at your own risk.
Parking
Parking lots two and three are open, with fees are payable only by credit card. Here’s a map of the park, including parking areas. Here’s more complete information about parking and fees.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BAREFOOT BEACH PRESERVE, NAPLES
Q. Where is Barefoot Beach Preserve, and how do I get there?
A. Barefoot Beach Preserve is a Collier County park at 505 Barefoot Beach Blvd., Naples, Fla. 34110, on a barrier island at the northern edge of Collier County between Bonita Springs and Naples. From U.S. Highway 41, take Bonita Beach Road west to Barefoot Beach Boulevard and follow signs to the preserve entrance and parking. (505 Barefoot Beach Blvd., Bonita Springs, FL 34134 is another frequently used address; both will get you to the same spot.)
Q. What is Barefoot Beach Preserve?
A. Barefoot Beach Preserve is a 342-acre county preserve with 8,200 feet (about 1.5 miles) of undeveloped white sand Gulf beach. It is one of the last remaining undeveloped barrier islands in Southwest Florida, which means no hotels, no commercial strip and no high-rise development visible from the shoreline. Collier County Parks and Recreation manages the preserve.
The preserve is well known among naturalists for its population of gopher tortoises, which are regularly seen along the dunes and scrub habitat behind the beach. The beach has also been recognized nationally for the quality of its sand and water.
Q. What is the beach like at Barefoot Beach?
A. The beach has fine white sand and clear turquoise Gulf water that is warm and shallow with a gradual slope ideal for wading and casual swimming. The water stays relatively calm on most days, though offshore systems, winds and tides can produce rougher conditions at times. There are no lifeguards anywhere in the preserve.
The beach is less crowded than most of the Naples and Bonita Springs coastal parks because of limited parking and the preserve's natural setting, which lacks the amenities that draw larger crowds to developed beach parks.
Q. What water conditions should visitors expect at Barefoot Beach?
A. The Gulf at Barefoot Beach is typically calm, clear and warm. Shallow water extends for a comfortable distance from shore, making it approachable for most swimmers. There are no lifeguards on duty.
Check weather and Gulf conditions before entering the water, especially in the afternoon during summer months when wind and thunderstorm activity can build quickly. Swim with a companion when possible, and stay within your ability level.
Q. What shells can visitors find at Barefoot Beach?
A. Barefoot Beach's long, undeveloped shoreline is productive for shelling. Common finds include cockle shells, murex, coquinas and sand dollars. The limited foot traffic means shells are less picked over than at more accessible beaches along the Naples coast.
Collecting live shells or animals is prohibited throughout the preserve. Pick up empty shells only, and leave nesting areas undisturbed.
Q. What wildlife can visitors see at Barefoot Beach?
A. Barefoot Beach is one of the most reliable places in Southwest Florida to see gopher tortoises. The tortoises live in burrows in the dune and scrub habitat behind the beach and are often spotted moving through the preserve, particularly in the cooler parts of the day. State law prohibits handling or disturbing gopher tortoises or their burrows.
Shore birds, wading birds and raptors are common throughout the preserve. Sea turtles nest on the Gulf beach from May through October. Nest markers are placed along the beach by wildlife managers; disturbing nests or hatchlings is prohibited under Florida law.
Q. What fishing is available at Barefoot Beach?
A. Surf fishing along the Gulf shoreline is a consistent draw at Barefoot Beach. Target species along this stretch include whiting, pompano, snapper, redfish and snook, depending on season. No bait shops or tackle rentals are available inside the preserve, so bring your own equipment and live or cut bait.
Florida fishing regulations apply throughout the preserve. Check current bag and size limits with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before fishing, as regulations change by season and species.
Q. What amenities are available at Barefoot Beach Preserve?
A. Facilities at the preserve are intentionally minimal to preserve the natural character of the site. Portable restrooms and a portable wash station are available near the beach access. Dune crossovers provide access from the parking area to the Gulf shoreline. Ranger assistance is available during operating hours.
There are no food concessions, umbrella rentals or beach chair rentals inside the preserve. Bring water, food and all shade equipment with you. Parking fees are payable by credit card only; cash is not accepted.
Q. What are the hours and parking fees at Barefoot Beach Preserve?
A. The preserve is open daily during daylight hours. Parking in lots two and three is available at a per-vehicle fee, payable by credit card only. The lot fills to capacity on weekends and holidays, particularly from January through April, when the Naples area is at peak visitor season.
For current hours and fee information, contact Collier County Parks and Recreation. The preserve address is 505 Barefoot Beach Blvd., Naples, Fla. 34110.
Q. Is Barefoot Beach good for families with kids?
A. The calm, shallow Gulf water makes the swimming conditions at Barefoot Beach appropriate for young children, and the gopher tortoises are reliably engaging for kids of all ages. The shelling is also well suited for children who like searching along the waterline.
Keep in mind there are no lifeguards and no food or rental concessions. Come prepared with food, water, sunscreen, shade equipment and any beach toys. Parents must supervise children in the water without the backup of staffed towers.
Q. Is Barefoot Beach Preserve accessible for visitors with disabilities?
A. Barefoot Beach Preserve has dune crossovers to the beach from the parking areas. It has one beach wheelchair available on a first-come, first-served basis. You can’t reserve it. If it’s not available, Clam Pass Park, a nearby Collier County beach park, offers beach wheelchair rentals.
Contact Collier County Parks and Recreation before your visit to confirm current accessibility options at Barefoot.
Q. When is the best time to visit Barefoot Beach?
A. January through April is the peak season for Naples-area beaches: winter residents and tourists arrive in force, but conditions are ideal with dry weather, warm Gulf water and cooler air temperatures. Arrive early on weekends in season to secure parking before the lot fills.
May through October is sea turtle nesting season, adding a wildlife dimension to morning beach walks. Summer brings warm Gulf water and the best shelling after storms, though afternoon heat and regular thunderstorms make early morning visits far more comfortable. November and December offer a quiet window between summer crowds and the winter influx, with mild weather and uncrowded beaches.
