There is a stretch of white sand beach between Naples and Marco Island that most visitors drive right past without knowing it exists. Keewaydin Island sits just south of Gordon Pass, running eight miles along the coast, and unless you are on the water, you will never see it. There are no roads to the island, no bridges, and no cars. The only way to get there is by boat.
That isolation is exactly what makes it one of the best beach destinations in Southwest Florida.
What is Keewaydin Island?
Keewaydin is a barrier island that is part of the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. It is eight miles long and about half a mile wide, with the Gulf of Mexico on the west side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the east. About 85 percent of the island's roughly 1,300 acres is government-owned and open to the public. The remaining land holds around 50 private lots and about 15 self-sustaining homes, none of which are connected to public water or electricity.
The Gulf-facing side of the island has miles of soft white sand beach. The bay side is lined with mangroves and faces the calm, protected water of the Intracoastal Waterway. There are no public restrooms, no lifeguards, no concession stands on the island itself, and no developed facilities of any kind. You bring everything you need and take everything with you when you leave.
Why People Love It
The draw is simple. Keewaydin feels like an island that tourism has not reached, even though it is a short boat ride from downtown Naples. On a weekday morning, you might have an entire stretch of beach to yourself. The sand is soft, the water is clear, and the shelling is some of the best in the Naples and Marco Island area. Because the island faces the open Gulf and sees far less foot traffic than mainland beaches, shells wash up in better condition and greater variety. Sand dollars, conch shells, fighting conchs, and whelks are common finds, especially on the northern stretches of the island.
The southern tip is where most of the activity happens. On weekends and holidays, boats anchor along the shoreline and the area takes on a social, lively atmosphere. Food concession boats, sometimes called food boats, anchor near the beach on most days between roughly 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. They sell burgers, hot dogs, brats, sandwiches, fries, nachos, ice cream, snow cones, and cold drinks including beer and other adult beverages. That said, the food boats do not operate every day and do not follow a guaranteed schedule, so bringing your own cooler with food and plenty of water is always the smart move.
If you prefer a quieter experience, the northern stretches of the island see far fewer visitors and offer long, empty beaches ideal for walking, shelling, and solitude.
Wildlife
Keewaydin is ecologically significant. The island is a vital nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles, and nesting season runs from May through October. During that time, you may see marked-off nest sites along the beach. These areas are roped off and protected. Stay well away from them.
Dolphins are a regular sighting in the channels on the bay side of the island, and manatees frequent the waters of the Intracoastal Waterway, especially in the designated slow-speed zones along the route from Naples. Ospreys nest on the channel markers, and herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, and pelicans are common along the mangrove edges. The island itself is home to white-tailed deer, raccoons, and a variety of other land animals, though most visitors stick to the beach.
Dogs Are Welcome
Keewaydin is the only beach in the Naples and Marco Island area where dogs are allowed. They must be kept on a leash at all times to protect the nesting wildlife and other beachgoers, and owners are expected to clean up after them. For dog owners visiting the Naples area, this is a significant draw since most other local beaches prohibit pets entirely.
Getting There
The most common departure point is from Naples, heading south through Gordon Pass and down the Intracoastal Waterway. The boat ride from most Naples marinas takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes to reach the southern tip of the island. You can also approach from Marco Island to the south, though the ride from that direction can be rougher depending on wind and wave conditions from the west, northwest, or southwest.
The bay side of the island (the east-facing Intracoastal side) is where most boaters anchor, since the water is calmer and shallower. From there, you wade or walk a short distance across the narrow island to reach the Gulf-side beach. Some boaters anchor directly on the Gulf side if conditions are calm, but the bay side is generally the safer and easier approach.
What to Bring
There are no facilities on Keewaydin, so plan accordingly.
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A cooler with plenty of water, drinks, and food (do not count on food boats being there)
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Sunscreen and a hat (shade is very limited on the beach)
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Towels and a beach blanket or low chairs
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Bug spray, especially during the warmer months when mosquitoes and no-see-ums can be present near the mangroves
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A bag for trash (leave nothing behind)
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Snorkel gear if the water is clear and calm
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A camera or waterproof phone case
Best Time to Visit
Keewaydin is a year-round destination, but the experience changes with the season. Winter months (December through March) bring the most comfortable weather, with temperatures in the 70s and low humidity, though the Gulf water can be cool, running between 64 and 68 degrees. Summer water temperatures are warm, ranging from the low to mid-80s, and the island sees fewer crowds than in the winter tourist season. Weekdays year-round are quieter than weekends. If you want the most peaceful experience, a weekday morning is the time to go.
Visiting Keewaydin with Us
Keewaydin Island is one of our most popular destinations out of our Naples location, and our captains make the run regularly. A half-day charter gives you plenty of time to cruise down the Intracoastal, spend a couple of hours on the island, and cruise back. A longer charter lets you combine a Keewaydin stop with other destinations along the route, like the mangrove channels of Rookery Bay, the waters off Marco Island, or the northern edge of the Ten Thousand Islands.
Our boat, the Axopar 37 XC Cross Cabin, has the shallow draft to get in close to the island's bay-side shore and a swim platform with a ladder for easy water entry and exit. The enclosed cabin gives your group a cool, shaded space between stops, and the full bathroom means nobody has to worry about the lack of facilities on the island. It holds up to 13 guests plus the captain, which makes it a good fit for families, groups of friends, or anyone looking to turn a Keewaydin visit into a proper day on the water.
You can check availability and book at sea-eo.com.