South Beach

Located right at the southwest corner of the island, the South Beach parking lot on Swallow Avenue is a short stroll across Collier Blvd and through a tree lined walkway to the beach. There is parking for 70 vehicles and it is free for Collier County residents who display a permit, and $10 for all other visitors. Parking is limited, and a strictly enforced fine of $95 will be issued for cars parked anywhere but designated parking spots, even surrounding streets and swale areas. The public restrooms in the parking lot are the only facilities although beach chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, hobie cats and windsurfing rentals, as well as cold drinks and snacks, are available a few hundred yards up the beach. Sunset Grille Beach Bar and Restaurant, which is located in the Apollo condominium (the yellow building just north of the beach access), is open to the public from 11am and is easily accessible from the beach for a casual lunch or dinner. South Beach has undergone extensive renurishment and is a wonderful place for shelling, beach fishing and dolphin watching and is the most suitable beach for parents with young children or anyone with lots of beach things to carry. There is a drop off point at the access on S. Collier Blvd.