I just heard from a friend that a lot of the beaches are private and that unless you are staying at a hotel right on the beach it's hard to find one. Is this true? We're staying at the Bellasara...does anyone have any suggestions for public beaches? Thanks!

tahita, tell your friend he is very misinformed and to stop spreading false information. There is NO private beach in all of Naples. The entire beachfront is open to the public, and there is access at the end of nearly every street leading to it, with user friendly and handicapped accessbile ramps and rails.

It is true that within the city there are only a couple of beachfront hotels as the beach is lined with all private homes at the southern end, and condominiums as you go further north, but that doesn't mean that the beach is private or belongs to any of those people. In fact it means that if you go to the more southern end, particularly south of the pier, you have the beach much more to yourself.
From the Bellasara, the closest access is right at the end of Fifth Avenue South. Or you can go down to 13th Ave. South by the pier, or even further south for more privacy. There are restrooms at the pier, otherwise you have to do what the fishes do.

And while downtown parking is all free in Naples (even the big garage off Fifth Avenue at 8th Street), there are parking meters at the beach access points. Take lots of quarters (I think it is 25 cents for 15 minutes?-- I don't know as we residents get free parking permits). Or you can park free in the big lot behind Tommy Bahamas on Third Street South and walk the two blocks to the beach.

Wow, I'm so glad I posted this! Thank you so much. It's weird because my friend's parents have a time share there so you'd think he'd know better. Maybe he just didn't realize they were public beaches. In any case, thanks for the info!

I can't imagine how anyone who has ever been on Naples beaches could possibly think that any of the beaches were private -- everything is totally open. I think you should tell your friend to get out of his parents time share sometime and get to the beach!
Enjoy our neighborhood tahiti.

I second that, Patrick. In fact, I'd say that one of the BEST things about Naples is that the beaches are so easily accessed!