DIRECTIONS: Left on Periwinkle Way and go all the way to the end. Look for beach signs.
A real family affair. Though the beach is long, you won't find too much width. Medium sand quality, good shelling. Clear view of the Gulf, with large shade trees by the parking area to chill under.
There's a little shell-and-animal-guide hut en route to the historic lighthouse/bathroom area. It offers explanations of objects you'll find.
The nature trail is wheelchair accessible, and the fishing pier has been remodeled. Check it out.
Around the corner from the beach and just beyond the bathrooms, you'll find a smaller beach. You can see the Sanibel Causeway pretty well from there - nice Kodak moment. The Fun Time food
wagon usually is parked in the lot until 4 p.m., selling such things as crackers, hot dogs and ice cream. Paid parking is fairly plentiful. Fine is $35.

GULFSIDE CITY PARK/ALGIERS
BEACH, SANIBEL

DIRECTIONS: Right on Periwinkle Way, left on to Casa Ybel Road to West Gulf Road. Turn left on Algiers Lane.
It's called Algiers by the locals because of the old steamboat of the same name that once was pulled ashore to be a house. It's a wonderful spot for picnics, there are tables in the shaded expanse.  Boardwalks offer a comfortable access to the beach. This is a well-kept secret, hard to find but worth
it. Has restrooms, paid parking.

TARPON BAY ROAD BEACH, SANIBEL

DIRECTIONS: Right on Periwinkle Way, left on Tarpon Bay Road. This beach features lots of parking - even for large vehicles - though it's a tad far from the beach. High sand quality, good shelling. Clean bathrooms. An ice cream truck occasionally swings by.

BOWMAN'S BEACH, SANIBEL

DIRECTIONS: Right on Periwinkle Way to Tarpon Bay Road. Turn right, head north to
Sanibel-Captiva Road. From this road, turn left to Bowman Beach Road.

No South Beach or Fort Lauderdale, but this is probably the most popular beach on the island. Medium sand quality; great shelling. It's a hike to the beach from your car. Amenities include picnic tables, a
pay phone, bathrooms and bike racks. Bring your own food/drinks; it's kind of isolated, but that's what's great about it.

TURNER BEACH, CAPTIVA

DIRECTIONS: Sanibel-Captiva Road to Blind Pass. It's just after the bridge to Captiva, on the left.  Be careful swimming - the water gets deep quickly and there can be a strong undertow. Best advice: move farther down the beach away from the strong currents by the bridge. Good fishing from the
beach and on the rock jetty there. Great place for sunsets, romantics.

Parking is no longer free. Pay 75 cents an hour; about 20 spots. Good sand quality and a nice beach thanks to 1996 renourishment project. Bars and restaurants are across the street nearby. A really nice spot for shelling is at Blind Pass beach just before this one, other side of the bridge. Parking is 75 cents and hour there as well, or accessible by walking across the bridge.

SANIBEL CAUSEWAY BEACHES, SANIBEL

DIRECTIONS: Either side of causeway. This long, thin stretch of beach starts just before the toll gate and continues along the causeway. It's fun to watch the windsurfers, boats and dolphins, but don't expect a nice, soft beach to sit on. Take a chair. Water's shallow. Fishing's good. Bathrooms are
available.
The best part is the free parking. Park wherever you want.

BUNCHE BEACH, BETWEEN SANIBEL AND FORT
MYERS BEACH

DIRECTIONS: Take Summerlin Road toward Sanibel, turn left on John Morris Road at the Circle K. Follow to end.
This bay beach is no good for swimming. What draws people here is that it's uncommercial and not closely watched. Dogs are popular here, although they're not allowed on county property.

Most of the property is private and has been used for years by the public. The county does own the small lot, where parking is
hassle-free and cost-free. A good beach for catching rays without aggravation. 
No bathrooms.

BOWDITCH POINT REGIONAL PARK, FORT MYERS
BEACH

DIRECTIONS: Take Matanzas Pass Bridge onto the Beach.  Turn right at foot of bridge, follow Estero Boulevard to the end.
If you like an unspoiled, uncrowded, wide sandy beach with lots of native vegetation, check out Lee County's passive park at the north end of Estero Island.
The peaceful 17-acre park fronts both the bay and the Gulf. Amenities include restrooms, showers, changing rooms, picnic tables, grills, hiking paths, benches, bike racks, a handicap-accessible boardwalk to the beach and beautiful courtyard pavilion, which can be rented for weddings and private parties. No concessions. Free admission. Six handicapped parking spots available. A trolley (25 cent fare) runs every 15 minutes. Park free at Main Street Park and Ride lot, just north of Matanzas Pass
Bridge. Or park in Times Square area and walk.

LYNN HALL MEMORIAL PARK, FORT MYERS BEACH

DIRECTIONS: Turn right at foot of Matanzas Pass Bridge. Left off North Estero Boulevard.
A family affair, plus lots of teens. There's a huge parking lot - you pay 25 cents for 20 minutes. Get there before 11 a.m. to get a spot. There's a playground for the kids, fishing pier, picnic huts, benches, information kiosk and loads of shops and restaurants around at the newly improved Times Square,
now a pedestrian mall with lights, trees and outdoor tables.
The bathrooms score high, and county staff keep the whole park clean. Water fountains have ice-cold water. There also are change and soda machines and paid lockers. The beach was widened in 1996 by renourishment. Nice view. Free admission.
Parking lot open 24 hours. A Fine for not paying: $18.

MOTEL ROW, FORT MYERS BEACH

DIRECTIONS: Just east of Lynn Hall park. The most 18- to 35-year-old singles are apt to be here.
There's not a particularly wide stretch of sand, but it's the quality here, not the quantity. Low tide, of course, offers the most beach to sit on.
Some families. Plenty of beach bars, places to rent Waverunners ($25-$35 for 30 minutes), go parasailing ($35-$60 a ride), jet boating ($50 an hour), Hobie catting ($35 an hour) and so forth. New police patrols are watching for boat and personal watercraft safety; so don't get reckless. Drinking on
beach is allowed in front of bars and hotels that serve alcohol.
Volleyball nets available. Parking is a problem; hotels guard their parking lots fiercely, and towing has been a problem on the Beach this year. Free spots go quickly. Cafes abound. Park at Lynn Hall and walk, or at a private lot ($3-$6), at meters under the bridge or ride the 25-cent trolley.

ASSORTED BEACH ACCESS POINTS ALONG ESTERO BOULEVARD, FORT MYERS BEACH

DIRECTIONS: Keep your eyes open and you'll see white fabric signs denoting beach access points.  These were improved last year. Parking is free, although some have no parking. These are great places to just go and enjoy the beach - and peace and quiet. Sand quality usually is high. They're often
isolated, so bring a cooler. Some are within a short walk to cafes. Shelling can be decent on the right day.

LITTLE HICKORY ISLAND BEACH PARK
DIRECTIONS: Head southeast down Estero Boulevard. It's on the right at Hickory Boulevard between condominiums.
A new secret, this beach is clean and offers solitude for loners, enjoyment for families. There's a ramp for wheelchairs to get to the shelly, white sand. parking is 75 cents an hour with an $18 fine.

BONITA BEACH PARK

DIRECTIONS: Follow Estero Boulevard southeast. It's on the right, just before Collier County.
This revamped park offers picnic shelters, volleyball courts and a bathhouse. Beautiful ocean view, high sand quality, pretty good surf fishing. One of the nicest beaches in the area.

Several beach-style eateries within easy walking distance; some with live weekend afternoon entertainment. A mixture of families and singles. Admission is free. Parking is 75 cents an hour via an
automated payment system.
Collier beaches

BAREFOOT BEACH PARK/BAREFOOT BEACH PRESERVE

DIRECTIONS: U.S. 41 south to Bonita Beach Road. West to Lely Barefoot Beach guardhouse.
Two parks were merged into one megapark - 356 acres of beaches and trails. About 100 cars can park here, plus six with disability permit. Cost: $3 a day to park. There are soda machines, a restaurant/bar and pay phone.
The bathrooms are nice, handicap accessible with diaper-changing stations. What this beach lacks in sand quality it makes up for in amenities. Mix of families, seniors, singles. A Publix and Kmart are 3 miles away.

DELNOR-WIGGINS PASS STATE RECREATION AREA, NAPLES

DIRECTIONS: U.S. 41 south. Head west on 111th Avenue. After the bridge, it becomes Bluebill Avenue. Beach is at end of road.
Admission is $4 for eight people in a car; $1 for each additional person. For just one driver, it's $2. On foot or bike, it's $1. Age 6 and younger, no charge.
Enjoy 166 acres of beach and woods, with oodles of parking close to the beach. Sand is high quality, water is clear, view is great. Lots of shade trees, native foliage, wildlife, picnic tables and grills.
Bathrooms are bigger and cleaner than typical; showers are nearby. Fishing is good along the pass. A family affair mixed with singles. No surfing is allowed in designated swimming area. Bring your own food and drinks. Open 8 a.m. to sunset. Lifeguards on duty.

VANDERBILT BEACH, NAPLES

DIRECTIONS: U.S. 41 south, then west to
Vanderbilt Beach Road. Beach is at end.
Just down the street from Wiggins Pass, this is a public beach that attracts both singles and families. There are four parking spots for
disabled motorists at a prime location near the entrance. The rest of the paid, limited parking is a few blocks east.
The beach is right by The Ritz Carlton and
within easy walking distance of several casual restaurants. New this year is a concession stand so beach visitors can rent chairs, cabanas and purchase beach toys and sun supplies at the entrance to the beach.
There also is a convenience store across the
street and a Publix nearby at the corner of
Vanderbilt Beach Road and U.S. 41, for quick snacks or impromptu beach picnics. Open 8 a.m. to sunset.

CLAM PASS, COUNTY

DIRECTIONS: U.S. 41 south to Seagate
Drive. Then west. Beach is next to Naples
Registry Resort.

About 75 cars can park here. You then walk or take a tram along a boardwalk shaded by a canopy of trees - great for jogging. Beware of huge spiders - nothing spookier than walking straight into a giant, sticky web.
Figure on 10 to 15 minutes to walk to the beach. It's small, but nice. The resort has equipment rentals, such as chaise lounges for those who don't like sand on their backs. There also is a snack bar and nice bathrooms.

BEACH ACCESS POINTS ALONG GULF SHORE BOULEVARD, NAPLES

DIRECTIONS: U.S. 41 south, west on Park Shore Drive, turn on to Gulf Shore.
Along the boulevard - behind numerous nice homes overlooking the ocean - is the beach, which extends from Seagate Drive south past the Naples Pier and into Port Royal. Look for beachheads off the boulevard. There are four to six metered parking spots at the end of each street.
The beach is much the same as Vanderbilt, with a bit less beachfront. There also are neat little tide pools that are cool to plunk a chair in or let the kids play in. Bring your own munchies; these sites are peaceful because of parking shortages. No restrooms, and please don't use the Gulf - we swim in it.

LOWDERMILK PARK, NAPLES

DIRECTIONS: U.S. 41 south, then west on Banyan Boulevard. At corner of Banyan and Gulf Shore boulevards.
The park offers long sandy beaches, loads of parking and decent restrooms, plus picnic tables, volleyball courts and a vending area.
Pretty much a family affair. There are a few shops, a deli and some restaurants across the street.  Naples residents may obtain a free-parking permit. Nonresidents pay 25 cents for 20 minutes.

NAPLES FISHING PIER

DIRECTIONS: U.S. 41 south dead-ends into Ninth Street South. Follow that to Broad Avenue South, then take 12th Avenue South to the pier.
The pier was renovated in 1996. The structure was reinforced with concrete pilings, and the concession area was enlarged.
The beaches around the pier are large, family affair-ish and pretty nice. Really green water. High sand quality; terrific view. Singles sometimes can be found. The pier is much larger than the Fort Myers Beach one, stretching farther out from shore. Parking is metered - and limited. This beach rates pretty high, though there aren't many stores or cafes around.

TIGERTAIL BEACH ON MARCO ISLAND, COUNTY

DIRECTIONS: U.S. 41 south to SR 951. Head to Marco Island. Follow 951 into town, follow the signs and turn right on to Tigertail Court, then left on Hernando Drive. The beach is at the end.  
Tigertail has it all. A long, silky-sanded, huge stretch of white beach. Parking for about 300 cars; $3 fee. Restrooms, a nice snack bar, a playground, a volleyball net. There's a sandbar to swim out to, a great view of the gulf and beach equipment rentals - cabanas, $15 a day; kayaks, $15 an hour; windsurfers, $25 an hour; shelling trips, $20-$30, etc. There are small beach stores along 951, and a Winn-Dixie.

SOUTH MARCO BEACH, COUNTY

DIRECTIONS: Off 951, the beach is on the right down a small walkway nestled between The Apollo and Cape Marco condos, toward the end of the island.
Surrounded by high-rise luxury condos, the sand here is great but there are no bathrooms or amenities.
Parking is across the street, in a lot behind the one for residents.