Vanderbilt Beach
A long, wide ribbon of soft white sand in North Naples, where the Gulf comes in calm and shallow, the sunsets are a nightly event, and a covered parking garage makes the whole thing easy.
Updated June 2026
If you want a wide-open beach where the kids can wade out a long way and you can still see them, Vanderbilt is the one. The sand runs broad and soft, the Gulf comes in shallow and gentle, and on a clear evening the whole crowd turns west to watch the sun drop straight into the water. It is the beach a lot of Naples families pick first, and the easy parking garage is a big part of why.
This stretch sits in North Naples, anchored at its south end by the public Vanderbilt Beach Park and shadowed by the towering Ritz-Carlton just up the dune. It suits families, sunset chasers and anyone who likes a true day at the beach with food and parking sorted. Walk north along the sand and you'll reach Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park; it's part of the same barrier island, and more on it over on our Beaches & Outdoors guide.
What makes it special
Wide soft sand, water you can actually wade into, and a few landmarks that give this beach its character.
A perfect beach day
Easy in, easy out, and a sunset dinner to cap it. One of the best family days on the Paradise Coast.
- Pull into the Vanderbilt Beach garage mid-morning, before the season crowd, and walk straight down to the sand.
- Set up wide, let the kids wade in the shallow Gulf, and stroll north along the beach toward Bluebill.
- Keep walking and you can reach the dunes and bathhouses of Delnor-Wiggins Pass on the same barrier island.
- Book a sunset table at The Turtle Club on the sand, or grab a low chair and a cooler for a free front-row seat.
- Stay for the main event: the sun dropping straight into the Gulf, then an easy roll out of the covered garage.
Where to go next
Vanderbilt is the easy family beach, but the rest of the North Naples coast is right next door.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass
The wild barrier-island park just north, with dunes, a pass for snorkeling and some of the best shelling around.
North Naples & Vanderbilt
The wider neighborhood around the beach: Mercato, Pelican Bay and the laid-back north end of town.
Beachfront Resorts
The Ritz-Carlton and the Gulf-front hotels where you can roll out of bed and onto the beach.
Beaches & Outdoors
Every Naples beach in one place, plus shelling, dolphin cruises, parks and the mangroves.
Stay on Vanderbilt Beach
Common questions
Where is Vanderbilt Beach?
Vanderbilt Beach is in North Naples, along Gulf Shore Drive between Vanderbilt Beach Road and Bluebill Avenue. The public access and parking garage sit at the south end off Vanderbilt Beach Road, beside the Ritz-Carlton, and the beach runs north toward Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park on the same barrier island.
Where do you park at Vanderbilt Beach?
The easiest option is the covered Collier County parking garage at the south end, just off Vanderbilt Beach Road by the Ritz-Carlton, with a short walk to the sand. It's paid for non-residents (around $10 for the day), and Conner Park at the north end (off 111th Avenue North, by the Bluebill access) is a useful backup lot. Spaces fill fast on season weekends and around sunset, so arrive early and bring a card.
Is Vanderbilt Beach good for families?
Yes, it's one of the most family-friendly beaches in Naples. The sand is wide and soft and the Gulf wades out shallow and gentle, so kids can splash near shore safely, and the covered garage and beachfront dining make a full day easy. Always watch children in the water and check posted flag conditions.
Can you see the sunset from Vanderbilt Beach?
Absolutely. Naples faces due west onto the Gulf of Mexico, so the sun sets straight over the open water with no obstructions. Vanderbilt is a favorite sunset beach; claim a spot in the last hour of light, and consider a sunset table at The Turtle Club right on the sand.
What is there to eat at Vanderbilt Beach?
The standout is The Turtle Club, a beachfront restaurant on the grounds of the Vanderbilt Beach Resort serving fresh Gulf seafood right on the sand since 1998. Reservations are strongly suggested for dinner, while lunch is first come, first served. Check current hours before you go.
How far is Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park from Vanderbilt Beach?
It's right next door, just to the north. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park sits at the top of the same barrier island, bordering Vanderbilt Beach to the south, and it's only a couple of miles by road. You can also reach the southern stretches on foot along the sand at low tide.