This popular destination boasts one of the most pristine stretch of beach in the world. Every day, this tropical beach paradise beckons visitors to partake in vast peaceful views of the Gulf of Mexico, and experience the many shorebirds and wildlife that gather here. Visitors arrive to this park to sunbathe, snorkel the reef, hike, bird-watch, fish, picnic and search for seashells.
There are specific areas designated for anglers to drop their lines in the northern areas of the park for trophy catches. Boaters will also find the launch area into Turkey Bay easily accessible for most vessels, in order to experience the delicate natural estuaries of the Cocohatchee River, leading out to the Gulf of Mexico. A concessionaire, Naples Beach Adventures, offers food / beverages and rentals that include paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, umbrellas and beach chairs. Beach wheelchairs are also available for reservation by the park Kayak the mangrove-lined waterways of Wiggins Pass and the Cocohatchee River, While the kayaking is pleasant enough, the beach at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is what’s truly special here. – a good kayaking spot, outstanding surf-fishing and a one-mile-long powdery-white sand beach with clear water, shells and shaded picnic tables nearby. The 166-acre park is squeezed by urban development but is so thickly canopied by tropical vegetation that it’s easy to lose yourself in nature here. A short nature trail leads to an observation deck over mangrove forests and the sweep of beach, where terns and gulls gather in groups. It’s easy to find pretty seashells along the shore if you arrive early. Bring a picnic and spend the day! At the north end of the island, behind the picnic pavilion, a tower gives visitors a bird's-eye view of Wiggins Pass and the surrounding coastal habitat. Undeveloped barrier islands are simply ‘the best’ and hard to come by in south Florida. There is much to be said for a nice sandy beach on a barrier island with a lush tropical backdrop, gently shelving into crystal clear water. There is yet more to be said when this beach area is also teeming with wildlife such as shorebirds, ospreys, dolphins and the protected gopher tortoises. Finally, it seems too good to be true when it also boasts a reef that can be snorkeled off the beach. Fish and shorebirds are not the only creatures you will see on the beach. Apart from dolphins that are very common here, there are sea stars, of course sand dollars (when they are gray, they are alive, please toss back in!), and other ‘live shells’ such as the Florida fighting conch. The park has plenty of gopher tortoises to look at, and we were guaranteed to see more of these cute creatures. As there are so many of them, you do well to check your car when you leave the park so as not to crush a resting gopher tortoise. Pay close attention to the sides of the road and you are sure to see a tortoise or two munching on fresh shoots. Mangroves also buffer the mainland against destructive storms, prevent erosion with their specialized root system and filter the water to maintain quality and clarity. The natural coastal area of Delnor-Wiggins provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. A boat ramp allows access to the back bays, Cocohatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico, providing visitors with excellent fishing opportunities. The most popular place to fish is Wiggins Pass. It is also the only area along the park's beach where fishing is allowed. Visitors who plan to fish should remember to dispose of monofilament fishing line properly as it can injure or kill animals in the park. Rangers programs are offered every Thursday at 9:30am. Most programs are free with park entry fee.
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Naples Private ToursThere are plenty to do in Naples, here is our recommended points of interest for Groups of friends and family to get together and enjoy. Categories
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