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Separated by the mainland by mangrove swamps and tidal creeks, this recreation area is located on a narrow barrier island off Florida's southwest coast. A pass on the north end of the island is a natural outlet for the Cocohatchee River. The park offers Gulf-front swimming, fishing, picnicking and a boat ramp in a lush setting of sea oats, sea grapes, cabbage palms and mangroves. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is located in North Naples five miles west of I-75, exit 17.

Delnor Wiggins State Park is one of the most popular Naples Florida Beaches in Southwest Florida. Occupying the north end of a barrier island, the pass serves as a natural outlet for the Cocohatchee River. The variety of vegetation at Delnor-Wiggins Pass creates a lush wildlife habitat, featuring sea oats, sea grapes and cabbage palms. The main feature in the park, however, is the mangrove forest. Occupying 80 percent of the park, the leaves of the mangroves provide a major source of nutrition for the marine animals that begin their life in the backwater before entering the Gulf.

Mangroves also buffer the mainland against destructive storms, prevent erosion with their specialized root system and filter the water to maintain quality and clarity. The natural coastal area of Delnor-Wiggins provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. The most visible are the many species of shore and wading birds, small mammals and reptiles. The shallow Gulf waters are home for countless forms of marine life such as soft corals, mollusks, crustaceans and fish. Endangered loggerhead sea turtles come ashore on summer nights to lay their eggs. In the winter, the pass if often frequented by the endangered West Indian manatee seeking warm water.

In the 1600's, the Calusa Indians thrived around the pass by gathering wild plants, fishing and hunting. During the 1800's the Seminole Indians and early European settlers found refuge in this semi-tropical area. Joe Wiggins, for whom the pass is named, operated a small trading post and is the first homesteader on record.

Several generations later, through the foresight of Lester J. and Dellora A. Norris, the land was acquired as a park for Collier County in 1964. Six years later, the Division of Recreation and Parks purchased the land from the county for development of a state park. After completion of the development, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Recreation Area was officially opened to the public in 1981.

• A variety of recreational activities are offered at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. For convenient access to the beach, five parking lots with a system of connecting trails and boardwalks are available. Picnic tables, grills and bicycle racks are provided as well as bathhouses with changing stalls and out-door showers. A picnic pavilion, observation tower and boardwalk access to Wiggins Pass can be found at the very north end of the park.
  
  
• A concession is located in parking lot #1 where food, drinks, and other merchandise may be purchased. They also rent snorkeling gear and other beach equipment. For concession information, call 239.594.3400.
  
  
• A boat ramp allows access to the back bays, Cocohatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico, providing visitors with excellent fishing opportunities. The most popular place to fish is Wiggins Pass. It is also the only area along the park's beach where fishing is allowed. Visitors who plan to fish should remember to dispose of monofilament fishing line properly as it can injure or kill animals in the park.
  
  
• Swimming and shelling are popular pastimes year-round. Because of dangerous currents and deep water, swimming is never allowed in the pass. IN order to conserve shell resources for future generation, collecting of live shells, including starfish and sand dollars, is prohibited.

For more information, contact Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park at 239.597.6196

Information courtesy Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Recreation and Parks.