My family and I are planning a trip to Naples Florida the last week in March. Could someone please let me know the condition of the beaches there? Is the water there clear and clean or is is "murky"? I have heard mixed reviews. I have also heard the sand is clean and white. Which beach is best in the area? We are staying at the Registry.

Hopefully Patrick will help you out as to the "best beach" in the area, but we've stayed at the Registry and their beach is very nice. It's a bit narrower than what we have in the Tampa Bay area, but beautiful none the less, and ample room for the people who were there. Water was clear while we were there, and a beautiful color, but I'm sure it's like this area...days when it's crystal clear then others when it's not quite so pretty. From my experience though, it's always clearer on this coast than on the east coast, and the sand is whiter as well.

Thanks for the reply. Does the weather seem to be the factor when the water is clearer on some days than others? I was also wondering if there is a gentle slope on the beach in Naples. I have two children that will be swimming. I also understand that the water is pretty calm-not many waves. Is this true?

I've been to the Naples area beaches with an 8-year old, and the beaches were fine, gentle slopes, waves big enough to be fun but not dangerous (depends on the day, of course)

In Naples, the beach runs from downtown straight north, seemingly forever,up past your hotel and continues on for further than you'll want to walk.

Once you get up past the Ritz you get to a public (state) park that has some inlets and swamp-like areas and a lookoutyou can climb; all things the kids would enjoy.

All in all, Naples is a fine choice if the weather is warm enough.

And, for what it's worth, a trip to Everglades City, not far from Naples, should be another treat for the kids. You have a choice of airboat rides (noisy and expensive, sez I) or national park operated tours (fine value, educational, and fun, sez I)

BAK

I've been to the Naples area beaches with an 8-year old, and the beaches were fine, gentle slopes, waves big enough to be fun but not dangerous (depends on the day, of course)

In Naples, the beach runs from downtown straight north, seemingly forever,up past your hotel and continues on for further than you'll want to walk.

Once you get up past the Ritz you get to a public (state) park that has some inlets and swamp-like areas and a lookoutyou can climb; all things the kids would enjoy.

All in all, Naples is a fine choice if the weather is warm enough.

And, for what it's worth, a trip to Everglades City, not far from Naples, should be another treat for the kids. You have a choice of airboat rides (noisy and expensive, sez I) or national park operated tours (fine value, educational, and fun, sez I)

The water has never been murky in my ten trips to Naples, usually in January and in mid-April.

BAK

Connie,

I lived in naples for 3 years (96-99) and go down there at least once a year. The best beaches in my opinion are Vanderbilt Beach (the sand is smooth and not full of too many shells) and Lowdermilk Park Beach for the same reason. There are some parts of the beaches that just have too many shells in the sand to walk on comfortably. I would be sure to also check out Lover's Key in Bonita Springs...Also very nice.

Not sure that I have much to add. Everyone has pretty accurately described our beaches. The width changes from time to time as the storms carry or redeposit more sand each time. The beaches are a little wider in northern Naples and Vanderbilt. Usually there is only a small rippling effect with waves, although with some pretty strong winds this week, there have been more major waves for us (two feet or so).
One tip, people tend to flock to Laudermilk Park (mid town Naples) and of course the state and county parks near Vanderbilt. But the entire beach has public access. If you go downtown, near Central to about 20th Avenue South or so -- you can park at meters and you will find fewer people (with the exception of near the Pier at 13th Ave. South. As mentioned above you can walk for miles on the beach.