Clam Pass Park
Tucked behind Pelican Bay, this is the beach you earn by a slow walk through the mangroves — a three-quarter-mile boardwalk (or a free tram) that opens onto soft white sand, a tidal pass and a quiet that the bigger beaches can't match.
Updated June 2026
Most Naples beaches put you straight on the sand. Clam Pass makes you work a little for it, and that's the whole charm. From the parking lot you set off on a three-quarter-mile boardwalk that threads through one of the last big stands of mangrove estuary in the city — red, black and white mangroves, tidal creeks, wading birds picking at the shallows — before the trees finally part and the Gulf opens up in front of you. It feels less like arriving at a beach and more like being let in on a secret.
It's the easy, peaceful alternative to the busier strands, and it suits families especially well: shade on the walk in, a free tram for anyone who'd rather ride, calm shallow water and a snack bar waiting at the end. The park sits tucked behind Pelican Bay off Seagate Drive, and the protected estuary it crosses is also one of the best spots in town for kayaking and paddleboarding.
What to see & do
A boardwalk, a tram, a tidal pass and a quiet beach — all wrapped in a living mangrove forest.
A perfect Clam Pass day
Easy, shady and unhurried — the antidote to a packed beach parking lot.
- Get to the lot off Seagate Drive early, before the season crowd, and pay at the station (or flash your beach sticker).
- Walk the boardwalk in slowly for the birds and mangroves, or ride the free tram if you're loaded down.
- Stake out the sand, then rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the calm water behind the beach.
- Time a float through the pass with the tide, then grab a snack and a cold drink at the concession.
- Stay for the late light — Naples faces west, so the Gulf here glows gold before the sun drops into the water.
Where to go next
More quiet coast, more water and a place to lay your head, all close by.
Pelican Bay
The lush master-planned community wrapped around this very mangrove estuary, just north of downtown.
Kayaking & Paddleboarding
Where to rent and paddle in Naples, from Clam Bay's mangrove tunnels to the back bays.
Beaches & Outdoors
Every Naples beach, plus shelling, dolphin cruises and the mangroves, in one guide.
Where to Stay
The best home bases near Pelican Bay and the north beaches, from resorts to rentals.
Stay near Pelican Bay
Common questions
How do you get to the beach at Clam Pass Park?
From the parking lot off Seagate Drive you reach the beach by a roughly three-quarter-mile boardwalk through the mangroves, or by a free open-air tram that shuttles back and forth all day. There's no direct vehicle access to the sand, so it's one or the other. The walk is shaded and full of wildlife; the tram is the easy option if you're carrying gear or have small kids.
Is there a fee to park at Clam Pass Park?
Yes. The county lot off Seagate Drive charges around $10 per vehicle, paid at a station, and it's free for residents who have a Collier County or City of Naples beach parking sticker. The lot isn't large and fills up on nice beach days in season, so it pays to arrive early or come in the late afternoon.
Can you rent kayaks and paddleboards at Clam Pass?
Yes. The beachside concession rents beach chairs, umbrellas and cabanas along with kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. The protected bay behind the beach and the marked Clam Bay paddling trail make it a great, calm place to get on the water, even for beginners. Check current prices and hours at the stand, as they can change seasonally.
Is Clam Pass Park good for families?
Very. It's quieter than Naples' busier beaches, the boardwalk and tram are a hit with kids, and the water is generally calm and shallow with a snack bar, restrooms and rentals on site. Just note there are no lifeguards near the pass itself, where tidal currents can pull, so younger swimmers need close supervision there.
What wildlife can you see at Clam Pass?
The mangrove estuary is alive with wading birds, ibis, herons and pelicans, plus butterflies along the boardwalk and the occasional alligator deeper in the bay. Out on the water near the pass you may spot manatees or dolphins. It's one of the most rewarding places in Naples to combine a beach day with some easy wildlife watching.
Where is Clam Pass Park located?
Clam Pass Park sits behind the Pelican Bay neighborhood on the north side of Naples, reached from Seagate Drive near Crayton Road and the Naples Grande Beach Resort. It protects a 35-acre stretch of mangrove estuary between the road and the Gulf, with the beach itself out at the far end of the boardwalk.