Top Reasons to Love Naples, Florida in the Summertime
Year-round residents of The Club at Olde Cypress know that Naples weather lends itself to creating a tropical paradise in the summer. It's cooler in Naples in the peak summer than it is in other parts of the United States, thanks to Gulf breezes. The hottest parts of the year in Naples are from June through September, with average temperatures ranging from 74 degrees to 90 degrees. Granted, this time of year can be rainier or more humid, but that means you can plan your time according to weather patterns. For example, if you notice trends of afternoon rain, get out and play golf and tennis at the club in the morning, and then run your errands, read a great book, or take a nap between the raindrops. When the clouds clear, hop on your boat for a sunset cruise or join your pals for a seafood feast at one of the many incredible restaurants in the area.
Naples, Florida is busiest from the months of December through May. Year-round residents are sharing roads, parks, restaurants, and more with part-time residents and visitors. Sometime between Mother's Day and Memorial Day, the year-round locals start to feel like they are getting their hometown back again. Many locals will tease that they prefer going downtown in the summer months to dine at their favorite restaurants on Fifth Avenue South or Third Street South or at Mercato because they don't have to compete for reservations or parking spots.
It's usually easier to find parking in Naples in the summer. This can be true in Downtown Naples as well as at the beaches. A quick primer on beach parking: all parking spaces require a valid beach parking permit (available to residents with a Naples drivers' license or who are tax paying homeowners); there are plenty of pay-to-park day passes for purchase at beach kiosks; and disability permit parking holders may park in any space without fees.
Naples has the best beaches, and the white sands and warm waters are waiting for you in the summer. The shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico stretches for about 30 miles in Naples, and the beaches each have their own charm and personality. Here are some worth exploring: Tigertail Beach, on Marco Island's western shore; Naples Pier, an iconic destination on Naples Beach; Lowdermilk Park, perfect for families with park amenities; Clam Pass has a long, nature-filled boardwalk, equipment rentals, and a concession stand; Vanderbilt Beach Park is a county beach near the Ritz Carlton, Naples; Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is perfect for fishing and shelling; Barefoot Beach is one of the last undeveloped barrier islands in Southwest Florida.
Ready to swap your golf clubs for some fishing tackle? Well, the fish are biting in Naples. A great place to start is at the Naples Pier, which is licensed and sells bait at a shop, so you don't need a fishing permit. Another hot spot, Lake Trafford, in nearby Immokalee, is a 1,500-acre freshwater lake full of bass and bluegills. Or sportier folks can take a kayak out from Ten Thousand Islands and explore a huge variety of fish in this estuary nestled in the mangroves. Here's a Naples fishing permit primer: A license is required for saltwater and freshwater fishing for the 16- to 65-year-old crowd, including residents and visitors. Licenses are available for different periods of time to suit your needs, while additional permits are needed for lobster, tarpon, and snook. Visit the Florida Wildlife Commission at myfwc.com for more info.
Sure, it's a blast to cruise around the beautiful grounds at The Club at Olde Cypress in your golf cart or on your bicycles in the summer. But it's also invigorating to explore Naples by boat in the summer months, and there are many casual options to get a taste of seafaring life, such as a cocktail cruise on Sweet Liberty or the Naples Princess. Since we are so close to the glorious Everglades, you'd be missing out on spying on alligators and more if you didn't try an airboat experience through Big Cypress, such as Captain Mitch's!