One of the many joys of living in Naples are the beautiful beaches that line the Gulf coast. A definite favorite of area locals is the Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park located in North Naples.
This state park should be on your bucket list of Naples beaches to visit because there is something for everyone to enjoy while visiting.
Know before you go
Delnor-Wiggins Pass can be accessed by car, walking, and biking. The price of admission is $6 per vehicle, $2 for walkers and bikers, and the boat ramp fee is $5. The park accepts exact cash and credit card. You can also pay online prior to arrival.
Getting to Delnor-Wiggins Pass
Delnor-Wiggins Pass is located in North Naples and only a few miles from exit 111 off of I-75. It is also easily accessible from Naples, Bonita Springs, and Estero.
As you drive through the park entrance gates, you will feel the secludedness of the small two-lane paved road. You will approach your first parking lot on the left-hand side which has restrooms and several outdoor shower heads for rinsing off saltwater and sand.
There are additional parking lots down the road, but I suggest parking in the few first lots if you are traveling with kids. Having restrooms and rinsing stations nearby is a plus since it's only a short walk from the beach.
One thing that makes Delnor-Wiggins Pass an exceptionally beautiful state park is the care and maintenance that goes into their boardwalks. The boardwalks are beautiful and are surrounding by lush tropical mangroves which make for great pictures. Plus, they are shaded which is a big plus when you are carrying beach supplies on a hot Florida afternoon.
The beach
The water is beautiful at Delnor-Wiggins Pass! On calm ocean days, you can easily float and frolic in the water which is ideal when you have small children. My little ones definitely enjoyed splashing around in the clear water!
Shelling at Delnor-Wiggins Pass
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park has some really nice shells. We found several Florida fighting conchs, spiny jewel boxes, calico scallops, and turkey wings. I find that the shells are comparable to the shells that are found along the shores of the famous shelling beaches of Sanibel Island.
However, as goes with shelling, the early bird gets the worm. So arrive early if shelling on the beach is on your to-do list.
Boating
If boating is on your list of activities while visiting Delnor-Wiggins Pass, then you are in luck! The boat ramp area is really nice and has a wide paved ramp. There are ample parking spaces too.
Definitely, a nice area to launch and head out into the Gulf of Mexico. We enjoyed watching the fish from the dock and we were able to see boats head out from Wiggins Pass to the Gulf once we were on the beachside.
Fishing
Do you have fishing angler's in the family? Delnor-Wiggins Pass is a great place to take the family fishing. However, fishing at Delnor-Wiggins Pass is only allowed in designated areas you may be required to have a fishing license.
What to bring?
I've compiled a list of my go-to beach items when traveling with the family. I prefer not to take the whole house (which can be difficult when traveling with kids) so I opt for easy to pack items that I can throw in the car and go.
*Pro-tip: Keep your beach bag packed with all the goodies so all you have to do is grab and go. I keep sunscreen, chapstick, towels, goggles, toys, and a small first aid kit in my beach bag at all times.
Cash for park admission
Food and activities in the park
Naples Beach Adventures is set up in the fourth parking lot area where you can purchase food and drinks and rent paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and beach gear. This company seems to offer a few perks to their patrons, one being you can call to order food and they will deliver to you while you are in the park. Talk about convenience!
My family loves to picnic so we usually bring a packed cooler with sandwiches and snacks. What's nice about Delnor-Wiggins is that there are a few picnic tables located at each parking lot area and there is also a covered pavilion with several picnic tables located in the last parking lot. It looks like a great setup for a birthday party! Contact the park in advance for pavilion reservations.
Where to eat nearby?
North Naples has a lot of food options and there are plenty of places nearby to grab food before you drive down 111th Street (which takes you to the park entrance).
If you are looking for a grocery store to stock up on snacks and lunchmeat, there is a Publix, Trader Joe's, and Walmart nearby. Fast food, pizza, tacos, and sandwich shops are in the area as well.
Tips
Remember that Delnor-Wiggins Park can fill up by lunchtime so I suggest getting there by 10:00 am or earlier.
There is overflow parking before you go over the bridge to Delnor- Wiggins. So if you arrive at the park and it's already filled up, then check out Conner Park which is across the bridge. There are pay stations in this park.
Return in the evening for a beautiful sunset or stay the whole day!
Save your receipt if you leave the park and want to return for sunset.
Nearby beaches
Lowdermilk Park
Fort Myers area beaches
Nearby playgrounds
Cocohatchee Park
Veteran's Memorial Park
North Naples Regional Park
Nearby Shopping
Recommended books for your trip
Moon Florida Gulf Coast (Travel Guide)
For additional information, visit Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park's official website.
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Hello! I'm Tiffany, a creative travel writer, mother to three awesome kids, and Floridian. We like to visit beautiful Florida beaches, Florida State Parks, and of course Disney! I like to write about our travel adventures and provide tips to other families traveling or relocating to the Sunshine State.