Keewaydin Island
Naples, FL
Keewaydin Island is an eight mile barrier island inside the Rookery Bay reserve south of Naples, with no bridge, no parking lot, and no way in except by water. A regular water shuttle from Marco Island runs several times a day, and the shell lines here stay picked over far less than anything reachable by car.
Genuine boat-only isolation and a real dog-friendly beach make it stand out from anything reachable by car nearby, though relying on the shuttle schedule means the trip needs some planning.
How we score beachesBook the Hemingway Water Shuttle from Rose Marina on Marco Island rather than trying to arrange your own boat, it runs seven times a day and is the simplest way over. Watch for taped-off turtle nests on the sand and keep well clear, loggerheads nest here in real numbers.
There's no parking on the island since there's no road. The water shuttle from Rose Marina on Marco Island charges a round trip fare, cheaper than chartering a private boat.
The shuttle drops passengers directly onto the beach, no dock or boardwalk involved. Ground is natural sand and shell the entire length of the island, uneven in spots.
Leashed dogs are allowed on the island, one of the few beaches in the Naples and Marco Island area where that's true, though the water shuttle itself won't carry pets.
Winter and spring bring the calmest water for the shuttle crossing and the mildest walking conditions on an island with little shade. Summer heat and hurricane season, June through November, make it a tougher trip, though the water stays swimmable nearly year round.
More Gulf Coast beaches
Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key, FL · Gulf Coast
Fine quartz sand that stays cool underfoot even in summer, sloping gently into calm Gulf water, and consistently rated among the best family beaches in the country.
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater, FL · Gulf Coast
A lively Gulf-front strip with a fishing pier, a nightly sunset celebration at Pier 60, and calm, shallow water that makes it an easy family favorite.
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach, FL · Gulf Coast
Sugar-white sand within the Gulf Islands National Seashore, with dunes protected from development and water clear enough for snorkeling near the jetties.