Lower Gulf Coast Beaches

Gorgeous, long, white-sand beaches fringe the Lower Gulf Coast and barrier islands. Known ultimately for their great shelling and kid-friendly waves, the beaches here range from the natural, undeveloped sands of Sanibel Island to the manicured parks of Naples.

Sanibel Island holds the highest reputation for seashells on the seashore in these parts due to the east-west torque at its south end. Shelling is best at low tide and after a storm has washed shells ashore. Remember, collecting live shells (ones with flesh inside) is illegal on Sanibel Island and in all state and national parks, so look only for uninhabited specimens. Local laws outside of Sanibel and the parks limit the taking of live shells to two per person per species per day.

All of the beaches charge for parking; some are resident-only designated and require a car sticker. (Many of the latter you can walk or ride a bike to if you're looking for quiet and seclusion. If you're really looking to escape, rent a boat and hit the bridgeless islands of Don Pedro, Cayo Costa, North Captiva, and Keewaydin.)

The Lower Gulf Coast's Best Beaches

Barefoot Beach Preserve

Although it's not easy to reach—the drive from Bonita Beach Road along Lely Barefoot Boulevard to this Collier County treasure takes you through a speed-bump-mined development—it's worth the inconvenience if you're looking for a natural encounter along with your beach play. Past the speed bumps, gopher tortoises crossing the road will slow you down. Beachgoers come for shells, canoeing, and to explore nature in gardens and exhibits off the beach.

Bowman's Beach

Long, wide Bowman's Beach, on Sanibel's northwest end, is the island's most secluded strand. Walk the length of the beach and leave humanity behind, finding some of the area's greatest concentrations of shells along the way. In fact, while most beaches in Sanibel and Captiva are worthy hunting grounds for shell devotees, Bowman's tops them all. This is because Bowman's is the hardest to reach, most spread-out, and least populated of the island's many beaches. You might even score one of the island's most coveted shells, the Junonia. The sunsets at the north end are spectacular.

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park

Its placement across the pass from Barefoot Beach and a preserved bay backdrop make Delnor-Wiggins in North Naples popular with both fishermen and nature lovers. Rangers conduct birding and sea turtle programs at different times of year. Beach buffs adore its stretch of sand immune from the high-rise rash to the south. Picnic facilities and an observation tower attract families.

Lovers Key State Park

Among Florida's most visited parks, this barrier island south of Fort Myers Beach, on Route 865, is a natural haven. Birds flock to its estuary, kayakers paddle through, and a gazebo on the beach hosts many a wedding. Lovers Key got is name because, for years, it was accessible only by boat, and only lovers ventured here for a little remote romance.

Lowdermilk Park

Looking for pure fun with your beach day, hold the nature lessons? That's what prettily landscaped Lowdermilk in Naples is all about. Families appreciate the grassy lawn, playground, volleyball nets, picnic facilities, shallow waters, duck pond, and food concession at this beach on Gulf Shore Boulevard at Banyan Boulevard.

Turner Beach

This patch of undulating sand on the southern tip of Captiva is a good spot for catching the setting sun. Due to the strong currents here it's much better for surfing than swimming.