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The wild one

Barefoot Beach Preserve

One of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida's southwest coast: 342 acres of dune, sea oats and quiet Gulf shoreline at the north edge of Naples, where the beach is left to the birds and the tortoises.

Updated June 2026

BAREFOOTBEACH · NPL

Barefoot Beach is the wild one. Tucked at the northern tip of Collier County where Naples meets Bonita Springs, Barefoot Beach Preserve is one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida's southwest coast: 342 acres of sea oats, dune and quiet Gulf shoreline with no high-rises, no boardwalk arcade, just 8,200 feet of soft sand and the birds. It regularly turns up on "best beach in America" lists for exactly that reason, and locals tend to guard it a little.

If your idea of a great beach day leans natural over manicured, this is the one to drive for. It sits just north of the condos along North Naples and Vanderbilt Beach and just south of Bonita Springs, so it's an easy add to a Paradise Coast trip. For the full lay of the land, our Beaches & Outdoors guide maps every stretch of sand in the area.

What you'll find

A beach left to the wild

Preserve first, beach second. Here's what makes Barefoot worth the drive to the north end.

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THE SAND · 8,200 FEET

The undeveloped beach

A mile and a half of wide, sloping Gulf beach backed by tall dunes and sea oats instead of buildings. The water is calm and shallow for a long way out, which makes it good for swimming and for kids, and the shelling here is some of the best around, especially at low tide and after a winter blow.

Wild beach
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WILDLIFE · PROTECTED

Gopher tortoises & sea turtles

This is a working preserve, not just a beach. The dunes are home to the threatened gopher tortoise, and loggerhead and other sea turtles nest along the shore in the warmer months (roughly May through October). Give marked nests and tortoise burrows a wide berth, and never disturb the dune plants that hold the island together.

Nature preserve
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LEARN · PARKING LOT #1

The Learning Center

A small nature center near the first parking lot, with displays on the island's animals, shells and birds. Volunteer docents are typically on hand in the winter high season (around January through April). It's a worthwhile five-minute stop on the way in, especially with kids, to understand what you're walking through.

Free
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EXPLORE · ESTUARY SIDE

Nature trail & ranger canoe trips

A short looped nature trail winds through the maritime hammock on the bay side, and in season the park rangers run guided canoe trips into the mangrove estuary (reservations required, modest per-person fee). You can also self-launch a kayak or canoe in the designated area to paddle the back waters on your own. Confirm current program dates and pricing with Collier County Parks before you count on a trip.

Seasonal
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FACILITIES · MID-PARK

Restrooms, showers & the basics

For a preserve, the basics are covered: restrooms, rinse-off showers and picnic areas, plus wheelchair access to the sand. There has historically been a small beach concession, but it has been closed at times, so don't count on renting chairs, umbrellas or gear — pack your own, along with plenty of water and sunscreen. It's more rustic than the big public-park beaches, but you won't be roughing it. A free beach wheelchair is available (first-come, first-served, no reservations).

Amenities
Good to know: The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset year-round, and there's a per-vehicle daily parking fee (recently $10, free for vehicles with a Collier County beach sticker) you usually pay at the lot, often via a posted QR code. Parking is limited and fills early on weekends, holidays and through March, when a sign at Bonita Beach Road flags a full lot. No dogs are allowed, except service animals, to protect the tortoises and nesting birds. Hours, fees and rules can change, so check Collier County Parks & Recreation for the current details.
Do it right

A perfect Barefoot day

  1. Arrive close to 8 a.m., especially in season, to land a parking spot before the lot fills.
  2. Stop at the Learning Center by lot #1 to get your bearings and meet a docent in winter.
  3. Walk the sand a few minutes past the access point to find a wide-open stretch to yourself.
  4. Swim, shell and watch for shorebirds; at low tide, comb the wrack line for whelks and olives.
  5. Stay for the show: Naples faces west, so the sun drops straight into the Gulf right off the beach.
Keep exploring

Where to go next

Barefoot is the wild end of a long, lovely coast. Here's what's nearby.

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Every beach

Beaches & Outdoors

Every Naples beach, plus shelling, dolphin cruises and the mangroves, in one guide.

Beaches→
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Just south

North Naples & Vanderbilt Beach

The resort-lined beaches just down the coast, with Delnor-Wiggins and the Ritz close by.

Neighborhood→
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Just north

Bonita Springs

The laid-back beach town next door, where Barefoot's island meets the mainland.

Neighborhood→
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Plan ahead

Beaches with Restrooms & Showers

Which Naples-area beaches have facilities, so you can pick the right one for the day.

Beaches→
Plan the stay

Find a place to stay nearby

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Good to know

Common questions

Where is Barefoot Beach Preserve?

It sits at the northern tip of Collier County, just south of Bonita Springs and north of Naples' Vanderbilt Beach area. The entrance is off Bonita Beach Road via Barefoot Beach Boulevard, which runs out onto the barrier island to the parking lots and beach access.

How much does it cost to park at Barefoot Beach?

There's a per-vehicle daily parking fee, recently $10, which you can usually pay at the lot (often by scanning a posted QR code); it's free for vehicles with a Collier County beach parking sticker. Fees change, so check Collier County Parks & Recreation for the current rate before you go.

What are the hours at Barefoot Beach Preserve?

The park is generally open from 8 a.m. to sunset year-round. Parking is limited and fills early on weekends, holidays and throughout the busy March season, when a sign near Bonita Beach Road warns when the lot is full, so arrive early.

Are dogs allowed at Barefoot Beach Preserve?

No. Because it's a nature preserve protecting gopher tortoises and nesting shorebirds and sea turtles, dogs are not permitted, with the exception of service animals. If you're traveling with a dog, you'll need to choose a different beach.

What makes Barefoot Beach different from other Naples beaches?

It's one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on the coast: 342 acres with 8,200 feet of beach, tall dunes and no buildings on the sand. You'll find wildlife, excellent shelling and a more natural, quieter feel, plus a small Learning Center and, in season, ranger-led canoe trips.

Can you see wildlife at Barefoot Beach?

Yes. The dunes shelter the threatened gopher tortoise, sea turtles nest along the shore in the warmer months, and the beach and estuary draw shorebirds, wading birds and the occasional dolphin offshore. Keep your distance from marked nests, burrows and dune plants.