Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
A mile of sugar-white barrier-island sand at the north end of Naples, regularly named among America's best beaches — and the locals' pick for swimming, shelling and a quiet day on the Gulf.
Updated June 2026
Drive to the far north end of Naples, cross a little bridge, and the development falls away. Delnor-Wiggins Pass is a barrier island all to itself: a mile of soft white sand backed by sea grape and Australian pine, crystal-clear Gulf water out front, and a tidal pass at the north tip where the bay empties into the sea. It is a state park, which is exactly why it stays this good — protected, low-key, and regularly ranked among the best beaches in the country.
It is the beach for people who want the real Florida coast over a beach bar: families with snorkels and buckets, anglers working the pass, shell-hunters out at low tide, and anyone happy to trade a boardwalk for sea oats and the occasional gopher tortoise. It sits just south of North Naples and Vanderbilt Beach, so it pairs naturally with a stay up that end of town. Come for a half day and you will likely stay for the sunset.
What to see & do
One island, a string of parking lots, and an outsized lineup of things to do between the sand and the pass.
A perfect day
Beach to pass to sunset, all on one quiet barrier island.
- Roll in not long after the 8 a.m. opening to beat the lot-fills, and stake out a spot near parking lot 2.
- Swim and snorkel the hard-bottom reef while the water is calm and clear, then walk a low-tide shelling stretch toward the pass.
- Take the boardwalk toward Wiggins Pass at the north end for the long view over the dunes and mangroves.
- Break out the cooler at a shaded picnic table, or wander up to Vanderbilt Beach for a bite if you want a restaurant.
- Settle back on the sand for the main event: Naples faces west, so the sun drops straight into the Gulf.
Where to go next
More of the north-end coast, just down the road.
Vanderbilt Beach
The lively north-end beach next door, with resorts, restaurants and an easy public access just minutes away.
Shelling in Naples
Where, when and how to find the best shells on the Paradise Coast, tides and rules included.
North Naples & Vanderbilt
The resorts, dining and easy beach access of the north end, the closest base to the park.
Beaches & Outdoors
Every Naples beach, plus shelling, dolphin cruises and the mangroves, in one guide.
Stay near Delnor-Wiggins
Common questions
How much does it cost to get into Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park?
There is a per-vehicle entry fee, typically around $6 for a vehicle with two to eight people, about $4 for a single-occupant car, and roughly $2 for pedestrians and cyclists. Fees can change, so check the Florida State Parks site for the current rate, and bring a card since the entry station is the only place to pay.
What are the park's hours?
Like other Florida state parks, Delnor-Wiggins Pass is open daily from 8 a.m. until sundown. The lots often fill on season weekends and holidays, and rangers close the gate when the park reaches capacity, so plan to arrive before mid-morning. The park took heavy hurricane damage in 2024 and reopened in early 2025 with recovery still under way, so check the Florida State Parks site for current hours and any closures before you go.
Is Delnor-Wiggins really one of the best beaches in America?
It is consistently rated one of the best. The mile of white sand here has placed in the top ten of Dr. Beach's annual national ranking for years — for example, around No. 6 in 2026 — thanks to its clean sugar sand, clear shallow water and protected barrier-island setting. It remains a perennial Florida favorite. Rankings shift year to year, so check the latest list for the current spot.
Can I bring my dog to the beach?
Not onto the sand. Pets are not allowed on the beach or the dune trails, but leashed, well-behaved pets are welcome in the park's paved and picnic areas on a six-foot hand-held leash, so you can bring the dog for the day as long as it stays off the beach. Bring bags to clean up, and check the Florida State Parks site for the current pet policy, since rules can change during hurricane recovery.
Can you snorkel and fish at Delnor-Wiggins Pass?
Yes to both. One of the only hard-bottom reefs in the Naples area sits off the shore near parking area two, which makes it a rare local spot to snorkel or dive straight from the beach on a calm, clear day. Anglers fish the pass for snook, redfish and sea trout from the designated fishing area, and there is a boat ramp on the bay side.
When is sea turtle nesting season, and how does it affect a visit?
Loggerhead and other sea turtles nest on the beach roughly from May through October. During that time, marked nests are off limits, and visitors are asked to keep the beach dark at night, fill in any holes, knock down sandcastles and pick up gear so hatchlings can reach the water. Daytime beach use continues as normal.