I’ve been traveling to Bonita Springs Florida for many years now. It started as a place to go for a warm-weather getaway from the cold mid-west winters. A family friend owns a short-term rental property and my parents were offered some time there. Since the house has multiple bedrooms, they extended the invitation to me and my family. I could not resist the idea of a week in the warm sun so I went.
We have been going back every spring ever since. The close proximity to Fort Meyers (RSW) airport makes it easy to get there and the laid-back family-like atmosphere in Bonita Springs makes it a great spring break location without the college party atmosphere you find in other cities.
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Where is Bonita Springs, FL Located?
Located on the Gulf of Mexico Bonita Springs is approximately 27 miles south of Fort Meyers and 15 miles north of Naples. It’s a mid-sized beach town without all of the tourist traps and wild beach parties. (No judgment if wild parties are your thing, it’s just not mine.)
Bonita Springs has the BEST Beaches!
Ok so I may have a biased opinion but I really do love the beaches in Bonita Springs.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park – Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park | Naples, Marco Island & Everglades (paradisecoast.com)
Wiggins Pass is a great beach option. The park is a series of smaller beaches, some divided by rocky shorelines. The Sand however is the soft sand you expect from a Gulf shore beach in Florida. There are picnic areas and allow grilling which makes it a great place for a picnic or to meet up with family and friends.
Being part of the Florida State Park system, it is well visited but has very limited parking options. Like other beaches in the area, they limit visitors by the number of parking spots available.
The best time to get there is before 10:00; ideally get there around 9:00 or the parking spots are limited. If you are meeting friends who are arriving in different vehicles, it’s best to get there when they open to ensure you can all park in the same lot. You can also go after 2:00 when the morning crowd starts to go home.
There is a small entrance fee that is good for the day however if you leave and try to go back in after the lot is full, you will be sent home. It’s best to stay put until you are ready to go home for the day. There are restrooms available and there is a boat ramp if you want to go fishing.
Limited parking makes the beaches less crowded than other beaches but not good as you could be turned away when they reach capacity. You can walk in regardless of capacity but it’s over a mile walk from the closest public lot to the first beach.
I recommend a trip to the Wiggins Pass Beaches but plan to arrive early or you will be turned away.
Bonita Beach Park in Bonita Springs – Bonita Beach Park in Bonita Springs | VISIT FLORIDA
Another great option is the Bonita Beach Park Beaches. Ok so it’s technically one beach but the access is broken into ten different points. This makes it feel like nine different beaches. Each access point has different amenities and a number of parking spaces. Some access points only have 5-6 parking spots while others have 25-20. Some have restrooms others do not. You can however walk to any of the access points to use the restrooms.
There is no entrance fee since this is a city beach but you do need to pay for parking. Parking meters in the lot allow you to pay by the hour. These beaches are popular since they are within walking distance for many residents and tourists. You can also take an Uber/Lyft which makes it even easier to access for many. Parking meters are monitored frequently so make sure you either pay for longer than you intend or re-fill your pass before it expires.
I also enjoy the Bonita Beach Park beaches because they have gorgeous sand and easy access to amenities not available at the other beaches. Mainly, restaurants and bars! These are also a perfect option if you are going early in the morning to look for shells. Bonita Beach Park is open from dawn to dusk. Other beaches open at 8:00 which in the spring and summer is well after dawn. Pay by the hour is also more cost-effective if you are only staying for an hour or two vs the state and county parks which charge a flat fee regardless of how long you stay.
When picking which access point to visit, remember the smaller the lot the fewer people will gravitate to that lot but also the fewer amenities are close. I prefer access lots 1 and 10.
Lot 1 is one of the larger lots with access to restrooms but also is near a fantastic and funky restaurant and bar. Doc’s Beach House! Sit at one of the beachside tables and enjoy a drink without putting your shoes on. Perfect for a quick lunch or a cold drink. Home | Doc’s Beach House (docsbeachhouse.com)
Access 10 (aka Little Hickory Island Beach Park) also has a bigger parking lot (extra parking available across the street) and a restroom. It’s near a more residential area so fewer options for food/drink but is across the road from a wonderful place we recently tried, Big Hickory Waterfront Grille. Big Hickory Waterfront Grille is across the road from the beach on the canal side. There is indoor seating but I recommend sitting outside on the deck overlooking the boat marina and canal. Waterfront Dining – Big Hickory Waterfront Grille and Marina
Barefoot Beach Preserve – Barefoot Beach Preserve | Collier County Parks & Recreation (collierparks.com)
My favorite is Barefoot Beach! Barefoot Beach Preserve is part of the Collier Country Parks system. Getting there is an experience. The park is located at the end of Barefoot Beach Blvd.
The story goes, many years ago some land developers thought they could build a gated community with multi-million-dollar mansions lining the sandy beach on one side and the canal on the other side. Being a gated community would block the public from accessing the natural beauty of Bonita Beach Preserve making it a private park for the rich and famous. After construction began, the community fought back and won. There is still a guard station and a gate arm at the entrance off Bonita Beach Road, the public is allowed through and doesn’t need to stop at the gate arm. As you drive to the beach you will see every car from a BMW to Ferrari. Grand staircases that lead to giant front doors. The chandeliers visible through the giant picture windows are taller than most adults. It’s fun to imagine you own one and are headed home.
When you run out of mansions, you will see a small building and gate. There is a small entrance fee per vehicle and they do limit the number of visitors at a time based on available parking spots. The parking lots have limited spots but there is plenty of parking along the road. Public restrooms, showers, and concessions are available during the day.
Like most beaches, it can get busy around mid-day. It’s best to be there around 9:30-10:00 to beat the morning rush and get a parking spot or after 2:00 when the morning crowd is leaving. If you can, you MUST go for at least one sunset. It’s beautiful!! The entrance fee covers the whole day so if you lounge on the beach in the morning, you can enter with the same pass for the sunset. The park closes 30 min after sunset.
Lovers Key State Park – Lovers Key State Park | Florida State Parks
Lovers Key is another wonderful beach but is a little longer of a drive. This beach is part of the Florida State Park system. Located about 6 min north of the Bonita Beach Preserve entrance. Makes it seem like it would not be a long drive but with traffic on Hickory Blvd, it can take 30-45 min. It is, however, worth the drive. Lovers Key State Park is known for not only its beautiful beaches but also, its hiking trails and waterways perfect for kayaking. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards on site and they offer guided tours or you can go on your own. I’ve never rented a kayak there because I love to relax on the sand and in the water but you can experience some of the views on the boardwalk to the beaches.
Since this is a state park it tends to get more publicity and therefore tends to have more people. They do also offer rentals for weddings, which would be a perfect place for a wedding but also means more people are around and you can often see party planners and chair/tent rental companies taking up parking spots and blocking off sections of the park so they can set up.
There is a small entrance fee that is good for the whole day. There is plenty of parking but the spots closest to the beach boardwalks fill up first, you could have to walk a bit to get to the sand.
Bonita Springs Beaches Notes
Each of these Bonita Springs area beaches is spectacular for different reasons. You are sure to enjoy any of them and I strongly recommend trying more than one. One item of note no matter which beach you go to. These beaches are dry, meaning alcohol is not allowed however you will see some people enjoying a drink. As long as you are not obvious or obnoxious about it, I’ve never seen the park rangers enforce the rule.
Don’t forget your sunscreen!!
Which of these beaches do you enjoy and why?
I am not a professional in any of the topics discussed on Adventures at Home and Away. All comments made are my personal opinion and should not be used as professional advice. Photography on Adventures at Home and Away is protected by copyright and licensing agreements.
