Barefoot Beach Preserve in Bonita Springs

To access this beach, you first drive through an upscale residential community located on Barefoot Beach Boulevard. Upon entering this community, there is a security gate, usually with several vehicles waiting to check in. These are contractors and visitors to the community. Since you are not visiting the community, you can go right around these people in the right lane and proceed directly to the beach entrance, located at a second gate once you've driven through the community.

This beach's sand has degraded in recent years. It used to be fine and slightly powdery, but now is more of a crushed shell. However, it still has some of the best swimming of all the Collier County beaches. The water is warm, clear and calm (with a smooth sand bottom), and stays shallow longer than the other area beaches we've experienced. Highly recommended for kids - just make sure everyone has sandals or flip flops for the beach sand!

You don't need to park in the first parking lot you encounter after paying. The first lot is where the amenities are (restrooms, rentals), but is very busy. If you don't need anything, the second two lots are much less busy and the beach is just (if not more) pretty in that area.