The Naples Pier at the end of 12th Avenue South is the most photographed spot in the city and, for generations, the classic place to watch the sun drop into the Gulf. Right now, though, it is a construction site. Hurricane Ian tore the pier apart in 2022, and the city is rebuilding it from the pilings up, with a reopening anticipated in July 2027. Here is exactly where the project stands, what the new pier will look like, and how to enjoy the spot in the meantime.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | 12th Avenue South, west of Gulf Shore Boulevard South |
| Current status | Closed for reconstruction, fenced off |
| Anticipated reopening | July 2027 |
| Project cost | About $26 million |
| Damaged by | Hurricane Ian, September 2022 |
| First built | 1888 |
| Beach access | Open, the sand around the pier stays accessible |
No. The pier has been closed to the public since Hurricane Ian struck on September 28, 2022, and it is now fully fenced off as an active construction site during the rebuild. The good news for visitors is that the beach itself at 12th Avenue South stays open, so you can still walk the sand, swim, and catch the sunset from the shoreline even though you cannot walk out over the water yet. If watching the pier itself is the whole point of your trip, plan to come back after the July 2027 reopening.
Hurricane Ian destroyed roughly half of the 1,000 foot pier in September 2022, collapsing more than 30 pilings and sending about 140 feet of the structure to the bottom of the Gulf. Hurricanes Helene and Milton added further damage in 2024, and the city's engineers ultimately determined the entire structure had to be replaced rather than patched. After clearing federal permitting with FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Naples held a groundbreaking ceremony on January 5, 2026 to mark the official start of construction.
The roughly $26 million project, partly funded by an $11.4 million FEMA grant plus a state match, is being built by Shoreline Foundation and designed by MHK Architecture. The new pier keeps the same overall length and iconic look but is engineered to be far more resilient: the support pilings step up from 14 inches to 18 inches in diameter and sit about three feet higher, with added deck area along the sides for more room to fish and gather. The rebuild also includes new stairs, restrooms, showers, and a refreshed entrance along 12th Avenue South, and the old pilings pulled from the water were repurposed to seed a new artificial reef offshore. As of mid 2026 the work was reported on schedule with nearly half of the new pilings installed, keeping the July 2027 completion target on track.
The Naples Pier first opened in 1888 as a freight and passenger dock, back when boat was the main way to reach the young town. It has been battered and rebuilt several times over the years by fire and hurricanes, and the current project marks roughly its seventh rebuild in a 137 year history. That long cycle of destruction and return is a big part of why locals are so attached to it: the pier has always come back.
Even with the structure closed, the stretch of beach at the foot of 12th Avenue South is still one of the best sunset spots in Naples, and it sits within easy walking distance of the Third Street South shopping and dining district. Metered beach parking in the surrounding lots fills quickly, especially in winter and around sunset, so arrive early or plan to walk in from a few blocks inland. For the full list of where to catch the best light, see our best sunrise and sunset spots guide, and for other beaches nearby check our best beaches in Naples guide. Pier fishing is not available during the closure, so anglers should see our best fishing spots guide for where to cast a line in the meantime.
No. It has been closed since Hurricane Ian in 2022 and is fenced off as a construction site during the rebuild. The beach at 12th Avenue South remains open.
The rebuilt pier is anticipated to be completed and reopened in July 2027.
Hurricane Ian destroyed about half of it in September 2022, and Helene and Milton added damage in 2024, so the city is replacing the entire structure with a stronger one.
About $26 million, including an $11.4 million FEMA grant plus a state match, with construction by Shoreline Foundation and a design by MHK Architecture.
Yes. The beach at 12th Avenue South stays open and is still one of the best sunset spots in the city, even with the pier itself closed.
It was first built in 1888, and the current reconstruction is roughly its seventh rebuild across a 137 year history.
Keep planning with our best sunrise and sunset spots guide, find your beach in our best beaches in Naples guide, or see what else is on with the events calendar.