15 Dog Friendly Beaches In Florida – Nobody wants to miss out on a vacation with their best friend. It’s even more difficult to leave behind a friend who is an adorable fluff ball with paws. Fortunately, Florida has a plethora of dog-friendly beaches to enjoy with your four-legged friends.
Whether you’re looking for a busy beach near a vibrant city scene (hello, Miami Beach) or a little quiet, seaside R&R with your dog (hello, Sanibel Island), Florida has dog-friendly beaches to suit your every whim.
Are you concerned that you’ll travel all the way to Florida only to discover that your dog won’t be allowed to play in the waves or run along the sand? Don’t! We’ve done the legwork to find pet-friendly beaches that your dog will enjoy just as much as you.
Florida is a beach paradise, with 1,350 miles of Atlantic coast, Gulf of Mexico, and several barrier islands. Almost every section of the state has at least one beach where dogs are permitted, however many of them require leash use.
Some beaches offer a caged area where dogs can run, and others have beautiful beaches where dogs can splash and roam freely with their owners. Some attractions may be closed temporarily or require reservations in advance. Currently, some restaurants exclusively provide pick-up services.
Dog Friendly Beaches In Florida
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Fort de Soto Park Paw Playground
Fort de Soto Park is clearly a dog lover. Your four-legged buddy will not want to leave the Paw Playground, which has freshwater hoses for showering, doggy water fountains, and 300 yards of soft, sandy beach. Did we mention that they are not required to be on a leash in any of these locations?
This wonderful park, located just south of St. Petersburg, has been named one of the greatest dog beaches in the United States on multiple occasions. It has two large enclosed grassy spaces for canine entertainment: one for large dogs and the other for tiny dogs.
Pack a picnic, some dog toys, and a chair to spend the day at this lovely beach. Make sure to visit the Spanish fort while you’re there.
Have you forgotten your poop bag? There’s no need to be concerned; there’s enough available for free. When it comes to fees, the beach is completely free to visit.
Dog Beach Park, Fort Myers
Dog Beach Park is one of the most beautiful dog beaches in Florida and is completely free of charge. It is located in Fort Myers, between the Lovers Key State Park entrance and the New Pass Bridge.
While their humans rest in the sand, dogs are free to run off-leash in the sand and splash in the water. There is a doggy shower for rinsing off sand, but no additional amenities are available, and the bathroom is portable. On the beach, no alcohol or glass containers are permitted.
It is the responsibility of the owners to clean up after their dogs. You must apply for a licence if you wish to fish from the shore while your dog is enjoying a good time.
Bonita Beach Dog Park
Dogs are welcome to run and play at Bonita Beach Dog Park in Fort Myers from 7 a.m. to dusk. It’s at the southern end of Lovers Key State Park, near the Bonita Springs border. Your furry friend will enjoy the warm, shallow water that laps this Gulf of Mexico shore.
This hidden gem is not visible from Estero Road. Fortunately, there are signs near the trees directing you where to go. It’s only a short walk, so don’t be concerned. Expect to trudge through some shallow water to reach the sand during high tide.
You’ll need to bring your own poop bags, snacks, and drinking water for all parties (furry and non-furry alike), but porta-potties are available for humans. Doggy showers on-site make cleanup a breeze.
Anne’s Beach
Anne’s Beach, one of the Keys’ few public beaches, is located in Islamorada, on Lower Matecumbe Key between Key Largo and Key West, and is hidden discreetly beneath an overpass.
The beach features two free but small parking lots, a large, shallow swimming area, shaded picnic tables, and restrooms. The beach is great for walking and wading, but it is too shallow for swimming.
The best part is that the beach is pet-friendly, and dogs enjoy getting wet and running around in the sand. The beach is quiet, secluded, and wave-protected, making it ideal for a day in the sun.
It is surrounded by mangroves. It is the owners’ responsibility to clean up after their dogs.
Dog Beach at Pier Park
While leashed dogs are not permitted to run free on Panama City Beach’s white sand, they are welcome to visit Dog Beach, which is located on the southern end of the shopping and entertainment district, Pier Park.
Dog beach is located to the right of Russell-Fields Pier and offers 400 feet of Gulf Coast shoreline for furry friends to enjoy. You’ll also find plenty of poop bags and trash cans to keep the area clean. Please keep in mind that each person is limited to three dogs.
Speaking of clean, a freshwater hose on the boardwalk can keep your pet sand-free for a visit to one of Pier Park’s many pet-friendly restaurants and outdoor shops.
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Atlantic Beach
The Atlantic Beach Dog Park is on Aquatic Drive in Atlantic Beach. To use the beach, owners must apply for membership and provide proof that their dogs are up to date on vaccinations.
Members are welcome to bring guest dogs as long as they are also vaccinated. There is a separate fenced area for small dogs, but dogs may use the large dog area at the discretion of the owner.
There is clean drinking water available for both dogs and their owners. The park features benches where people can socialise and rest, a dog swimming pond, a rinsing station, poop bag dispensers, and trash cans.
The dogs must be leashed while walking along the public beach until they enter the park.
Jupiter Beach
The Friends of Jupiter Beach care so much about dogs that they offer free poop bags to visitors to their dog beach. Isn’t it exciting? They allow pups to roam leash-free along 2.5 miles of luscious sand in Palm Beach County, upping the fun factor even more.
What could be more enjoyable for a dog than running up and down sand dunes at the beach? Of course, I’m playing in the cool Atlantic Ocean waves. There’s plenty of room for your little mongrel to run around north of Marker #25 at Marcinski Road to #57 at Carlin Park.
At Jupiter Beach, the regulations are simple: keep your dog on a leash until you reach the off-leash area, clean up after your dog, watch your dog, and be considerate of other beachgoers (especially youngsters). Also, keep an eye out for the undertow, which may be quite powerful.
De Soto National Memorial Park
About 5 miles from Bradenton, Florida, is De Soto National Memorial Park. The 26-acre park is situated on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Manatee River. Small sandy beaches make up the majority of the shore, particularly on the east side.
The park’s 3,000-foot-long coastline is primarily made up of mangroves. A fantastic track runs through the park and is popular with nature lovers, hikers, bikers, and dog walkers.
Dogs are permitted in the park and on the beaches, but must be leashed. The park is home to a variety of protected flora and animals, and keeping your dog on a leash guarantees that your dog does not annoy the wildlife or damage other animals.
Canova Dog Beach
While visiting Canova Dog Beach in Indialantic, Florida’s Space Coast, your dog will be required to wear a leash. He’ll also need a current dog licence and a tag showing his vaccinations.
Despite the limitation of freedom and the fact that dogs are only allowed to roam around a tiny portion of the 9.1-acre Canova Beach Park, you and your pet will enjoy the immaculate beach. It’s even more appealing because it’s the only dog-friendly beach in Brevard County.
To keep things neat and tidy, there are water dishes, poop bags, and trash cans available, as well as a grill, pavilion, covered picnic area, restrooms, outdoor showers, and a drinking fountain.
Davis Island Dog Beach
Davis Island is a three-island archipelago with beautiful vistas and convenient access to Tampa. A 2.5-acre dog park is divided into two sections: a fenced section on dry, grassy terrain, and an unfenced section across the road on the beach area with 200 feet of beachfront where dogs can run free.
Water spigots are available in both parks for drinking and rinsing off the sand. There is some shade, as well as several benches for humans.
Both areas of the park are quite popular, and they are frequently overrun with dogs. Their owners are in charge of cleaning up after them and making sure they behave.
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Honeymoon Island State Park Dog Beach
The southern edge of Honeymoon Island is ideal for pet owners looking for a relaxing afternoon with their four-legged pals. Dogs will enjoy the fine, white sand of Honeymoon Island State Park’s dog beach. The water is calm and clear, making wave jumping simple.
Because the trek to the beach is longer than it appears and the sand can be scorching, you may wish to carry smaller dogs for some of the journey. It’ll be worth it when you see the beautiful shells strewn across the spotless beach.
Although your dog must be kept on a leash throughout his visit, he is allowed to utilise the neighbouring nature trail. Note that leashes must be at least six feet long or a fine will be levied.
Flagler Beach
Between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, Flagler Beach is a small village on Florida’s Atlantic coast. The beach is breathtaking, 6 miles long and wide, with plenty of beautiful shells and enough room for everyone.
It’s wonderful for lengthy hikes and shell collection in the off-season, and tourists typically have the beach to themselves. The beach north of N. 10th street and south of S. 10th street is designated as a dog beach, but dogs must be leashed at all times.
Because there are no facilities, water, or doggie bags, owners must provide water for their pets and clean up after them.
Smyrna Dunes Park
A dog-friendly beach on the northern end of New Smyrna Beach, on the edge of the 73-acre Smyrna Dunes Park, is ideal for pup play. It’s the only pet-friendly beach on the barrier island, and it’s got the soft sand and turquoise waters that we all want. While visiting, dogs must be kept on a leash.
While dogs are not allowed on neighbouring Ocean Beach, they are welcome to roam (leashed) through the park’s river, inlet, and other areas from sunrise to sunset. There is a fee per car to enter, and there are facilities, showers, and vending machines on the premises.
More good news: many hotels, B&Bs, and eateries in the area welcome pets. Dog-friendly patios and cafés with water bowls may be found on Canal Street and Flagler Avenue. Even “doggie sundaes” are available at the local Dairy Queen.
Fort Lauderdale
The 7-mile-long magnificent golden sand beach is the centre of life in Fort Lauderdale. It’s the place to hang out, people-watch, or take your dog for a stroll because it’s lined by a popular and always active boardwalk.
There are various dog-friendly areas on the beach. Visitors can pay for a weekend permit or residents can buy a yearly permit for their use.
Dogs are allowed on the sand at Canine Beach, north of Sunrise Boulevard on A1A near 1269 North Fort Lauderdale, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from November to March, and from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. from April to October.
Haulover Beach Park
Looking for a way to get your dog’s paws wet and sandy in Miami? Visit Haulover Beach Park, one of Miami’s nicest beaches. This 177-acre park, which is sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, is a great place to spend a day with your dog.
Between lifeguard towers 2 and 3, there is a dog-friendly portion named Bark Park. There are separate parks for small dogs (under 35 pounds) and large dogs (above 35 pounds) here. They’re shady and enclosed. There’s also a portion of the beach where dogs can run around and play.
The beach is open to dogs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., so you and your pup will have plenty of opportunities to play in the waves, dig in the sand, and meet new people. From 8 a.m. to sunset, the dog park is open.
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Key West Dog Beach
On this lovely, palm-lined beach in Key West, dogs are able to roam off-leash. You and your dog will not be alone when you visit this canine playground because it is the only dog-friendly beach in the area. That, though, is a positive thing, particularly if he’s looking for a new friend.
Canines like chasing one other on the beach and racing through the blue ocean. A word of caution: the sand can be rocky, so keep your dog’s paws on the ground.
Visit Louie’s Backyard, a lovely, dog-friendly restaurant right next door, when you’re hungry.
Insider’s tip: Washed-up seagrass might make the water smell a little, so make sure Fido is clean before returning home.
Bark Beach, North Beach Oceanside Park
The popular Bark Beach is located just east of Miami’s North Beach Oceanside Park, on the quieter part of Miami Beach. This strand, which runs between 80th and 81st streets and is open from 1:30pm to 5:30pm on Fridays through Sundays, is a popular hangout for dog owners.
In this section, dogs are allowed to be off-leash, but their owners must have the leash visible at all times. Additionally, each owner may only bring two dogs at a time, and each dog must wear a collar and have current vaccination documents.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the park’s green spaces, jogging pathways, and picnic places, which run between 79th and 87th streets. Within the park, there are two enclosed dog runs where dogs can play off-leash.
Gulfside City Park Beach
Gulfside City Park, often known as Algiers Beach, is a true gem. Dogs are welcome to visit, but must be kept on a leash, as part of this gorgeous strand is protected and serves as a nesting area for endangered turtles and birds.
Your fluffy pup won’t mind being attached to you because there’s so much immaculate sand (nearly 15 miles of it) and a broad variety of shells to explore on this expansive beach in Sanibel Island. Allow her to run along the smooth sand or play in the warm, quiet waves of the Gulf of Mexico.
You’ll find all of the required conveniences, including restrooms, picnic tables, grills, and outdoor showers, as well as access to a nature walk, when it’s time to take a break.
Bayview Dog Park and Beach
Bayview Dog Park and Beach in Pensacola welcomes your four-legged pals with one green, fenced-in acre of excitement. Allow them to run free on the sand once they’ve had their fill of rolling and bouncing around at the dog park. Your dogs will soon be jumping into the surf at Bayou Texar’s entrance, lapping the water and splashing with delight.
The shaded picnic area provides enough of shade, and water dishes are available for when your mongrels become thirsty. There are also poop bags available, as well as many garbage cans to keep the area clean.
When it’s time to depart, clean up in the showers (for dogs and humans) to avoid tracking sand into the car.
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