Porta potty problems plague Naples beach as pier construction continues

NAPLES - If you're planning a beach day in Naples, you might want to pack more than just sunscreen and flip-flops. Some beachgoers suggest you may also need a strong stomach.

With the Naples Pier under construction, the permanent bathrooms are closed, and temporary porta-potties are in place. Over the weekend, some visitors shared with WINK News that opening the door to these facilities was quite a shock.

Naples is famous for its white sand beaches and stunning sunsets, but right now, it's also known for porta-potties.

Jane, a visitor, said, "No one likes the smell of a porta-potty."

Lauren Leslie, a resident, described her experience over Valentine's weekend as unforgettable.

"I opened the door to go in and use the restroom and literally had to step back because of the smell," said Leslie. She added, "I have ghost smells dinner was going to be probably a hard no for me."

However, not everyone had a negative experience. Elvia, another visitor, said, "I was very impressed, to be honest with you."

The city of Naples assures that beach access remains open during construction, and these temporary restrooms are part of keeping the beach accessible. But for some, this weekend wasn't the kind of beach memory they were hoping for.

Beachgoers understand the pier rebuild is necessary, but they hope the city ensures these restrooms are clean and maintained. After all, when you come to the beach, the only thing that should take your breath away is the view.