Vanderbilt Beach
Naples, FL
Vanderbilt Beach sits just south of Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, a Collier County beach with 375 parking spaces and enough width to handle the crowds that its convenient location and the Ritz-Carlton next door tend to draw. A public trolley and beach bus both stop here, useful given how tight parking can get in season.
The large lot and trolley access make it one of the more convenient beaches in the area, though the daily fee and proximity to a major resort keep it from feeling like a quiet local spot.
How we score beachesTake the Beach Bus or trolley instead of driving if visiting in season, it runs Friday through Monday and saves the hunt for a spot in the 375 space lot. Pair a visit with Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park just north if you want a quieter stretch after Vanderbilt's crowds.
Parking runs 10 dollars a day without a Collier County resident permit. The lot holds 375 cars, among the largest in the area, though it still fills on busy days.
A paved lot leads directly onto a short, flat walk of sand. The beach here is wide and open, easy going for most visitors.
Check current signage for pets, Collier County's public beaches generally don't allow dogs and Vanderbilt likely follows that county-wide rule.
Winter and spring bring Naples' driest, most crowded season. Summer's heat and hurricane season, June through November, thin the crowds despite warmer water.
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