White Sands of Barefoot Beach Naples Florida

One of the greatest attractions in the Southwest area of the state are the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and nowhere is there a better example than the white sands of Barefoot Beach Naples Florida.   While the United States Post Office considers this stretch of land in northern Collier County to be Bonita Springs, in most people’s mind it most definitely is Naples in its very nature. Barefoot Beach is located roughly 6 miles west of Interstate 75 on the south side of Bonita Beach Road, with Bonita Beach to the north as well as Little Hickory Shores, Audubon Country Club and all the way down to Pelican Isle on the east side.

 This is truly one of the most unique developments in the entire area, sitting between the Gulf to the west and Little Hickory Bay to the east.  It starts at the guard gated entrance which is due to the fact that you have to go through around one mile of a residential community consisting of some of the finest homes to be found anywhere in the country in order to get to a Collier County public park.

       

 The First picture is of a more contemporary Barefoot Beach home

Sitting directly on the Gulf of Mexico this 4 story home offers features not found in any Naples area home regardless of price & 10' glass doors to 50' high glass foyer, glass atrium elevator w/fiber optic lighting, large gym area on the Gulf with juice bar & full bath with lockers, a vintage ice cream parlor, a real 59 pink caddy convertible bar, diner, sports theater with 3-50" & 1-60" TVS, pool table, slot machines, great room with 2 walls of glass, granite fireplace, open/covered decks, Gulf dining room with built-ins, dream kitchen, eat-in, grilling deck, 4 or 5 bedrooms, 6 & 1/2 baths, master bedroom has a deck with spa, office, star closet, master bath with his & her areas, movie theater, 4th floor on the Gulf bonus room & deck, 2nd kitchen off private suite/play area, sunroom/greenhouse, 360 degree observatory with computerized telesope, granite & wood floors, 14 flt screens & 2 projection systems, one touch lighting, impact sliders & electric shutters, 45KW generator, 3 car garage with lift, parking for 8 cars, beach garden pool with spa, boat dock separate purchase. Offered at $6,995,000

The second picture is of a more classic design. 

This stunning beach house is being offered below bank appraisal price. You will be wowed by the ocean views, easy beach access and the charming covered wraparound porch that is accessed by French doors from every room. This three-level home boasts nearly 6500 square feet of main living space with a total of over 17,000 square feet and is situated on a direct, Gulf-facing double lot. Enjoy six bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths, gourmet eat-in kitchen with adjoining outdoor grill area, large formal living room and dining room with soaring ceilings, library and separate study, ground level family room with kitchen, workshop, backup generator and more. Includes 25 foot boat dock with lift. This home is the ultimate in barefoot luxury living. Offered at $4,500,000

The more than 340 acres that make up the Barefoot Beach Preserve are one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on the state’s southwest coast, and where you can truly get a sense of the natural habitat of the area.  This expanse of beach and sand dunes support the growth of sea oats, which provide the nesting sites for sea turtles during the summer months.  A few of the other “exotics” to be found here include:

Sabal Palm became the Official State Tree of Florida in 1953

              “Fan-Type” palm               

Can grow to 60 feet or more             

Salt tolerant

         Gumbo-Limbo is nicknamed the “Tourist Tree”

         Unusual red bark reminiscent of sunburned skin

     Low branches

          Very wind and salt tolerant

           Berries are favorite of birds

     

 Sea Grape Tree is used to stabilize beach edges

     Helpful in protecting sea turtles

         High wind and salt tolerance

                Purplish colored fruit in grape-like clusters

                Tasty fruit that can be eaten directly from the tree or in a jam

Mangrove Tree can appear as a dense tangle of roots with branches above

                Slows the movement of tidal waters to reduce erosion

                Provides protection and nursery areas for fish and shellfish

                Used as nesting sites by herons, pelicans and spoonbills

The white sands of Barefoot Beach Naples Florida are also the home of the highly threatened “Gopher Tortoise,” with both the tortoise and its burrow being protected by state law.  It has been deemed the “State Tortoise of Florida,” (as well as the State Reptile of Georgia) and is the only tortoise to be found east of the Mississippi River.  The average adult is a little less than 1 foot long and can live for between 40 to 60  years.  A superb “earth-mover”, it lives in burrows that it digs, with the average size being roughly 15 feet long and over 6 feet deep.  They spend a good deal of their time in these burrows which maintains a fairly constant temperature, and serves as a protection from predators.  Summer is their primary mating season, with most females reaching maturity in their teen years (males slightly sooner).  The female will lay an average of around 6 eggs which will then incubate underground for over 3 months.  Survival rate to one year is roughly 6%, as it will share its burrow with more than 300 other species including Florida mice, rabbits, snakes, frogs and gopher crickets.

           

       Gopher Tortoise                                   Loggerhead Sea Turtle

               

 For the sportsman, the plush surroundings provide ample opportunities with the right bait to catch the many species of fish to be found here.  The inland side provides tidal creeks and mangrove swamps which “serve as breeding areas and as a nursery for sport fish and shellfish.”

 Kayaking is another popular sport that can be enjoyed in these same waters, with ample docking spots available for those adventurous souls who have their own equipment.  Another option would be to rent a canoe from the park’s concession stand.

 Additional  attractions and amenities offered by the Park include a 1 mile nature trail, over 350 parking spaces, showers, picnic areas, food and drink concessions, plus handicapped beach wheelchair access.  If just walking the beach searching for some of the many unique sea shells that line the coast, or sitting on a lounge chair in the sand is more your style, keep an eye toward the water as this is a favorite area to see dolphins swimming, splashing and playing in the waves.

Park Ranger educating people about staying away from Loggerhead turtle nests

Another way to enjoy the Preserve is to take advantage of the programs and lectures given by the Park Rangers, while they educate the visitors about the importance of the environment and wildlife in the area.  They can provide a guided walk through the Preserve where people can learn about the many habitats, flora and fauna within the park.  They can also explain the habits and history of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle, many of which reside there, and the importance of not disturbing the nesting process.  This occurs each summer from April through August, when the female crawls out of the Gulf at night to lay her eggs in the nest on the same beach where she was hatched.  Around 2 months later, again at night when it is cooler, the hatchlings emerge and attempt to make it to the sea, going toward the natural light reflecting off the water.

Residents of Collier County can get a free beach parking permit which allows unlimited access to the park, otherwise there is an admission charge of $8 per car each day, payable upon entry.  Additionally, in keeping Collier County”s emphasis on making beach access as easy as possible, there is another beach entry point immediately south of Bonita Beach Road, before getting to the gated community entrance.  Here you can find a number of covered picnic tables plus 136 more parking spots.

As much as the locals would like to keep the place to themselves, it no longer is in the secret category.  “Dr. Beach,” otherwise known as Dr. Stephen Leatherman and the Director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, has declared Barefoot Beach as the #2 on his list of “America’s Best Beaches” for 2015.  (It has moved up a few places as it was previously #6).  His description stated that “The surf is gentle with waves generally being measured in inches, and the water is very shallow, making this a great beach for bathing and swimming for families.  The sand is fine and contains many small shells.”

          Barefoot Beach

                                    Delnor Wiggins Pass

                     

         

  Delnor Wiggins State Park     

These ratings, which have been released each Memorial Day since 1991, are a staple every year in Conde Nast magazine as well as being a regular feature on many of the morning TV shows.  Some of the criteria used in making the ranking include sand softness, water temperature, the number of sunny days, views and vistas, amenities, noise, cleanliness, water color, density of users, size of breaking waves and the safety record.  One other interesting note is that at the very south end of where the beach ends is Wiggins Pass, a narrow strip of water which allows for boating access to the Gulf of Mexico.  Directly on the other side of Wiggins Pass is the Delnor-Wiggins State Recreation Area, which can claim the #9 spot on the list of “America’s Best Beaches.”

The community of Barefoot Beach is quite unique with the available housing options beyond the gated guard station.  All of the homes and individual neighborhoods are off of Barefoot Beach Boulevard, a road that cuts a curved path north to south of a little less than one mile through the development with the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Little Hickory Bay to the east and ending at the entrance to the Barefoot Beach Preserve.

Upon passing through the gate, immediately to the west are the Villas at Barefoot Beach.  This is a group of 50 three story attached townhouses in around a dozen separate buildings, with between 2 and 5 units per structure.  each residence has between 1,800 and 2,800 square feet under air, with most having 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, plus a 2 or 3 car garage.  There is one that is currently on the market which is listed for just under $900,000, although there was a unit that closed about a year ago for more than $1.5 million.

Tri- level beach town home in Villas at Barefoot Beach, spacious floor plan, 2,797 sq. ft. living area, 4,062 sq. ft. total area,  3 car garage, sitting room off master bedroom, large walk in closet in master bedroom, 9' ceilings, A/C and hot water heater replaced, built in 1998, close to pool and beach access, pets and rentals allowed, Collier County location, close to shopping, grocery stores, Coconut Mall, Mercato, medical facilities, Southwest Florida International Airport, optional Beach Club offers restaurants, beach chair service, golf reciprocals, boat docks, large swimming pool, priced competitively, great rental property!  Offered at $889,000

Continuing south on the western side of the street are 12 one block, dead end streets with a little over 100 single family homes situated along them as well as the Boulevard.  These fabulous houses are 3 or 4 stories tall, usually with garages on the ground floor, and containing anywhere from 4,000 to more than 8,000 square feet of living area.  It is almost impossible to describe these mansions, as each one has a character unique to itself and most featuring their own views of the Gulf.  Prices for one of these properties start at $2.0+ million for one with a Bay view, and $3.0 million going up to over $10.0 million being right on the beach with a view of the Gulf.

Southport on The Bay

Incredible 5 bedroom, 6.5 bath home located in the private gated community of Bayfront Gardens within the beachfront community of Barefoot Beach. Details include private elevator, electric shutters, living room w/fireplace & outdoor deck overlooking the pool/bay. The kitchen offers breakfast bar, granite counters, custom cabinetry & high quality appliances including double dishwashers, gas cooktop, warming drawer & 48" ref/freez. Main floor also features formal dining area, & 3 guest suites. 3rd floor includes the grand master suite w/large master bath, marble floors & counters, dual sinks, jetted tub, bidet, walk-in shower & 3 closets. 4th floor includes loft area with wetbar & sunset deck. Lower level offers possible mother-in-law ste/rec area with kitchen. Adjacent to the kitchen is a family room, guest suite & home office! (See lower level disclosure). Property also includes swimming pool, boat dock w/lift, jet ski dock, floating jet ski dock & offers quick & easy access to the Gulf. Walk right across the street to the beach via the dedicated beach access.  Offered at $2,695,000

There are also two separate gated neighborhoods on the Bay side of the development.  Southport on the Bay is a community of roughly 90 properties, the vast majority of which have direct boating access to the Gulf of Mexico via Little Hickory Bay and Wiggins Pass.

                             Keep your boat at home or dock it at the marina

 The size of these multi-story units range from 1,900 square feet to more than double that, with prices going from slightly less than $1.0 million to nearly $3.50 million.  Just to the north is the smaller neighborhood of Bayfront Gardens, with just 34 properties all of which have direct boating access to the Gulf.  While the average size of these residences is slightly smaller than its southern neighbor, prices are quite comparable.  As a side note, annual Homeowners Association fees run around $2,300 for Southport on the Bay, while those for Bayfront Gardens are close to twice that.

                                

Barefoot Beach Condos

Magical sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico, majestic sunrises into your kitchen. Spacious and bright, panoramic views, water on three sides, flowing tropical breezes. Barefoot Beach is the #1 beach in the continental US. This luxurious condo is just steps from the sand, located between two private pools, clubhouse and fitness center. Enjoy outdoor living and dining in the spacious screened lanai. New hurricane shutters, upgraded kitchen with stainless steel appliances, tile floors in foyer, kitchen and bathrooms. 3 bedrooms have en suite full baths, upgraded vanities and large closets. New laundry machines and water heater. 2 zone A/C with ceiling fans, 9 foot ceilings in living and dining rooms with pass through from kitchen make a functional layout for year round living or seasonal enjoyment. Royal palms lining the red brick boulevard make this a truly beautiful sanctuary with miles of pristine beach. 24 hour security, close proximity to airports, shopping, restaurants and recreation. Look up this address on Google Earth and quickly see why this rare gem won't last long.  Offered at $999,000

Condominiums are also in the equation for the types of residences available in the  Barefoot Beach development.  These are twelve mid-rise buildings of 6 or 7 stories, totalling 348 individual homes, that have from 1,700 square feet to 2,800 square feet under air.  Eight of these structures are on the Gulf side of Barefoot Beach Boulevard, while the other four are on the Bay side.  Prices for the 10 units that are listed for sale today range from $659,000, while topping out at $2.225 million.

Completing the picture of housing styles situated within the community are the Cottages at Barefoot, at the very south end of the development.  There are only 15 homes in this neighborhood, each of which are 3 stories with between 3,000 and 3,900 square feet under air.  Prices for these rarely available units run in the $3.0 million range.  

Fun can be the finishing touch to living on the white sands of Barefoot Beach Naples Florida.  A great source of that enjoyment could be The Club at Barefoot Beach, which is a private, member owned equity association directly on the Gulf, providing for opportunities of social interaction.  There is a private boardwalk to the sand where the club can provide chairs, loungers, tables, umbrellas and towels, which are also available around the heated pool.

                                                           Shell Dining Room

     

The dining experiences at the Club start with the Shell Dining Room with fabulous views of a Florida sunset across the Gulf waters.  There is only one seating per table each evening, giving  a leisurely opportunity to enjoy the ambience for as long as you care.  Chef specialties include Lobster Bisque, Gulf Grouper, Atlantic Swordfish, Filet Mignon, Rack of Lamb and Wiener Schnitzel.  For a more casual restaurant, there is the open-air Turtle’s Nest, with a wide variety of choices.

  Other amenities available to club members include two Har-Tru tennis courts which are maintained daily, plus showers and towels to get back that clean feeling.  The Club also has a number of boat slips available for rental so that you can store your vessel right on the water.

There is a membership cap of 400 to The Club at Barefoot Beach, each having voting rights.  The fees for 2015 are:

•     Refundable Equity           $26,000
•     Initiation Fee                    $14,000
•     Annual Dues                      $3,900
•     Annual Capital Assessment   $800
•     Food & Beverage Minimum  Not Required

Shelling is a popular activity, on all of the beaches, enjoyed by young and old equally.  The sun, the salt air, the strolls through the white sand and the bit of exercise you get from bending over to pick up the beautiful shells that have washed ashore during the last high tide.

 Photo courtesy of Pam Rambo and her wonderful website iloveshelling.com

                  Take all of this into account and it is hard to imagine any place being more attractive to live and play than Barefoot Beach Naples Florida.

This blog was originally written on September 2, 2015  For current MLS information please click on http://ChrisAndDick.com or paste it into your browser.

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