Every year, millions of families plan holidays to Florida. And, with 1,197 miles of natural coastline, Florida has enough beach space for everyone in the family, even your dog!
Whether you're seeking a bustling beach adjacent to a dynamic city scene or wanting to enjoy a little peaceful, coastal R&R with your furry friend, you and your furry buddy may play catch, throw a frisbee, or romp in the green waters at one of Florida's best dog-friendly attractions.
Some beaches only accept dogs on leashes, so we recommend calling the attractions and restaurants ahead of time to confirm.
Simply select one of the fantastic strands on our list of the best dog-friendly beaches in Florida and prepare for a fab vacation. Ready, set, go!
20 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches In Florida
These are the very best beaches in Florida for dogs to run, swim, and play in the sand.
Bonita Beach Dog Park
A great spot for active dogs to swim off-leash in the warm Gulf of Mexico waters is the Bonita Beach Dog Park near Bonita Springs, commonly known as Lee County Dog Beach. Dogs are protected from getting too lost because the beach is remote from the main road.
The water is clean and shallow, which is ideal for dogs that like to splash about and play. It's a wonderful area to spend the day because of the nice, clear sand. This beach also has plenty of trash bags and a shower station, making it one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Florida.
Make sure you plan your journey appropriately since this is a tidal flat region and is susceptible to incoming and outgoing tides.
Gulfside City Beach Park
Gulfside City Beach Park, located in the heart of beautiful Sanibel Island, is one of the top dog-friendly beaches in Florida. Your dog will not want to leave the beach while playing on the beautiful expanse of white sand.
Gulfside City Park, with its lovely nature preserve and 15 miles of coastline packed with superb shells, is an ideal place to spend a day with your closest buddy. Allow your dog to play in the quiet, warm water, which is shallow enough for puppies to play securely.
Read also: Best Family Beaches In Florida
Fort de Soto Park Paw Playground (Off-Leash)
There is no doubt that Fort de Soto Park loves dogs. Your four-legged friend won't want to leave the Paw Playground thanks to the freshwater hoses for showering, the doggy water fountains, and the 300 yards of soft, sandy beach. Did we mention that they are permitted to roam free and off-leash in each of these locations?
This gorgeous park, which is close to St. Petersburg, has often been chosen as one of the best dog beaches in the country. It features two sizable enclosed grassy play spaces for dogs, one for large dogs and the other for tiny dogs.
Pack a picnic, some dog toys, and a chair, and you'll have everything you need for a day at this lovely beach. Explore the Spanish fort there while you're there.
Forgot your poop bag? Don't worry, there's plenty available for free. In terms of costs, the beach is free to enter.
Brohard Paw Park
Brohard Paw Park in Venice is Sarasota County's only dog-friendly beach, making it a popular destination for both locals and visitors.It's open from 7 a.m. until sundown, allowing early risers and sunset viewers to enjoy the sand and waves.
The gated play area leads to the beach, which is dog-friendly enough to provide dog baths, water fountains, and fire hydrants for toilet breaks. This is a popular dog beach, so social dogs will have a great time.
Read also: 13 Best Beaches in St. Petersburg
Haulover Beach Park (Off-Leash)
Haulover Beach Park, located just north of Miami Beach between Sunny Isles Beach and Bal Harbour, is one of the area's few significant stretches of undeveloped beach front.
The 1.4-mile-long beach park is well-known for its clean white beaches, large ocean surf, diverse coastal vegetation, and a variety of recreational options. Dogs are not forgotten at this family-friendly park.
They are permitted off-leash between lifeguard towers #2 and #3 every day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fenced Bark Park, near the south picnic area, is also open every day from 8 a.m. until sunset and has separate areas for small and large dogs.
There are enormous trees for shade, water fountains, picnic tables, doggy bags, and trash cans, as well as a large grassy space for running around. A section of the beach is included in Bark Park.
Honeymoon Island State Park Dog Beach (On-Leash)
Pet lovers will find the southernmost point of Honeymoon Island to be the ideal location for an afternoon out with their four-legged friends. Dogs will like the dog beach at Honeymoon Island State Park's beautiful, white sand beachfront. Wave jumping is made simple by the clean, quiet water.
You might wish to carry smaller dogs for some of the distance, as the trek to the beach is longer than you'd expect and the sand can get scorching. When you reach the clear shore that is dotted with lovely shells, the effort is worthwhile.
While here, your dog is welcome to utilize the surrounding nature walk, but he must be leashed at all times. Be aware that you risk receiving a fine if your leash is less than six feet.
There is an entrance charge, and kayaks and chairs are available for rental on the property. Additionally, there are also toilets and a concession stand with food and beverages.
Read also: 30 Clear Water Beaches in USA
Jupiter Beach
Jupiter is a contemporary town on Florida's southern coast with 3.4 miles of beautiful sandy beaches bordered by thick mangroves and enormous dunes.
A substantial portion of that beach—2.5 miles between Marcinski Road and Carlin Park—is designated as a dog beach. Dogs are permitted to enjoy the beach and surf without a leash, but it is the owner's responsibility to ensure that the canines are friendly and to clean up after them.
Poop bags and garbage cans are available. Visitors should be careful of a severe rip current. The dog beach is free to use.
Anne’s Beach (Islamorada)
Anne's Beach is one of the Keys' very few public beaches and is situated near Islamorada, on Lower Matecumbe Key, halfway between Key Largo and Key West, and covertly under a bridge. A big, shallow swimming area, shady picnic tables, and restrooms are available at the beach, in addition to two free but small parking spaces.
Even though the water is too shallow for swimming, the beach is great for strolling and wading. The good news is that dogs like getting wet and playing in the sand at the beach since it is dog-friendly. A day in the sun is great on the calm, isolated beach that is encircled by mangroves and shielded from the elements.
Cleaning up after their pets is the owner's responsibility.
Read also: 16 Best Swimming Beaches In Costa Rica
St. Augustine Beaches
The oldest city in Florida is incredibly dog-friendly and has a ton of lodging and activities, but we're concentrating on its beaches! The good news is that all of St. Augustine's beaches—with the exception of the one in Anastasia State Park—allow leashed dogs.
Additionally, the majority of public parking lots near the beach include dog baths, so you can clean your friend up before getting back in the car.
Playing on the beach is followed by a trip through the old city. Alternately, take a short drive across the bay to Vilano Beach, where dogs and cats are permitted on leashes.
Canova Dog Beach, Brevard
Canova Dog Beach is a 9.1-acre public beach park with beautiful golden sand, bathrooms, a drinking fountain, seats, and a few outdoor showers. It also has a small gazebo, a picnic shelter, a grill, and benches. Canova Beach allows dogs in a rather modest area that is well defined on both sides.
The dogs must be on leashes, have up-to-date vaccination records, and display license tags. The beach is big enough for some splashing, digging, and playing with other dogs, which is a plus. It is also free to use. Cleaning up after their dogs belongs to the owners. There are poop bags and trash cans accessible.
Read also: 14 Best Clear Water Beaches In Florida
Davis Island Dog Beach (Tampa)
Davis Island is an archipelago made up of three small islands with beautiful views and easy access to Tampa. There is a 2.5-acre designated dog park divided into two sections: one on dry, grassy land that is fenced; and the other across the road on the beach area with 200 feet of waterfront where dogs can run free.
Both parks have water spigots for drinking and rinsing off sand. There is some shade and some benches for humans. Both sections of the park are very popular and are frequently crowded with dogs. Their owners are responsible for cleaning up after them and making sure they behave.
Flagler Beach
Flagler Beach is a tiny village on Florida's Atlantic coast between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach. The beach is gorgeous, broad, and 6 miles long, with many colorful shells and plenty of room for everyone. Out of season, it's ideal for lengthy hikes and shell gathering, and tourists frequently have the beach to themselves.
The beach north of N. 10th Street and south of S. 10th Street is designated as a dog beach, although dogs must be kept on an 8-foot leash. There are no facilities, water, or doggie bags, so owners must bring water for their pets and clean up after them.
Keewaydin Island Beach
Keewaydin Island on Florida's Paradise Coast is the only dog-friendly beach in the Naples and Marco Island region. The attraction of this barrier island, accessible only by boat, is its roughly 8 miles of dog-friendly white sand, which leashed dogs are allowed to explore with you.
The dog-friendly Hemingway Water Shuttle runs seven times a day to and from Keewaydin Beach. Dog-friendly boat rentals are also available at marinas in Naples and Marco Island.
Keewaydin Island lacks restroom facilities due to its poor state. However, the “burger barge,” which frequently anchors ashore on the east side of the island, offers amenities and distributes ice cream, hot dogs, sandwiches, sodas, and beer.
Walton Rocks Dog Beach (Jensen Beach)
Driving through Florida's Treasure Coast with your dog will make it difficult to find a beach where you can let him run free. Walton Rocks Dog Beach, located directly on the Atlantic Ocean, is St. Lucie County's only dog-friendly beach.
The beach is enormous—24 acres of excellent sand—a dog and owner's paradise. There are several picnic tables and seats, as well as water and bathrooms. The dunes along the beach are a sensitive plant life environment and should not be damaged.
Dogs and their owners should obey the signs warning them to remain off the dunes. Owners should also ensure that their dogs are cleaned up after and that the beach is left as nice as possible.
Atlantic Beach Dog Park
The Atlantic Beach Dog Park is located on Aquatic Drive in the city of Atlantic Beach. To access the beach, owners must register for membership and provide documentation that their dogs are up to date on their vaccinations.
Members are welcome to bring along visitor pets as long as they are also vaccinated. There is a separate gated area for tiny dogs, but dogs may use the large dog area at the owner's discretion. Fresh drinking water is available for both dogs and their owners.
The park contains chairs where people may mingle and rest; a swimming pond for dogs; a washing station; poop bag dispensers; and garbage cans. The dogs must be kept on a leash when walking along the public beach until they enter the park.
Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach is one of Florida's most famous tourist attractions and a great area to explore dog-friendly beaches. In fact, there are two dog-friendly beaches in Fort Myers!
Fort Myers Beach, the main attraction, is a stretch of beautiful, soft, white sand dotted with beach shops, cafes, restaurants, and dog-friendly hotels. The beach is dog-friendly as long as leashes are worn, and it's ideal for anything from jogging to sunbathing.
The second spot, a little further southeast, is appropriately titled “The Dog Beach.” This free beach is stunning, and dogs may run around off-leash while their owners relax. The only amenities available here are a temporary restroom and a shower to rinse feet and paws.
Read also: 30 Clear Water Beaches in the US
Key West Dog Beach (Off-Leash)
Dogs are allowed to roam off-leash on this lovely, palm-lined beach in Key West. It's the only dog-friendly beach in the area, so you and your pet won't be alone when you visit this canine paradise. But that's a wonderful thing, especially if he's looking for a new companion.
Canines like racing through the blue water and chasing one another along the coast. A word of caution: the sand can be rough, so keep a watch on your dog's paws.
If you're hungry, go next door to Louie's Backyard, a lovely, dog-friendly restaurant.
Smyrna Dunes Park (New Smyrna Beach)
Smyrna Dunes Park is a 73-acre preserve on the northern tip of the New Smyrna Beach peninsula, surrounded on three sides by water. The Indian River provides a unique combination of habitats as it runs through Ponce Inlet into the Atlantic Ocean: ocean, dunes, river, saltwater marsh, and scrub zone.
Two kilometers of elevated pathways have been built to safeguard the diverse plant and animal species that call this park home. Picnic grounds, an observation tower, and pavilions are also available. Hiking in the park is popular among nature enthusiasts, and they may bring their pets as long as they are on a leash.
Vero Beach
Vero Beach Dog Park is a free dog park open to locals and their dogs in Vero Beach. Dogs of all sizes may run about and play off-leash on this 5-acre site near the City of Vero Beach Marina on the Indian River Lagoon.
It is a safe and clean area. Dogs of different sizes have their own individual, fenced areas. Both have benches, chairs, covered lounging areas, and water taps for both people and dogs.
The park is open each and every day from dawn to dusk. Since all of the park's management and upkeep are done by volunteers, contributions are welcome but not required to visit.
Bayview Dog Park and Beach (Pensacola)
Bayview Park is a public park on the bayside of Pensacola, near Bayou Texar. There are grassy picnic spaces, a playground, tennis courts, and walking routes in the park. There is also a 1-acre enclosed dog park with a grassy area and a beach with inlet access.
There are covered, shaded picnic tables with benches in the area, as well as a few more picnic tables on the beach. Poop bags and garbage cans are available. Water dishes and baths are available for dogs and their owners.
Frequently Asked Questions : Dog-Friendly Beaches in Florida
Are dogs allowed on the beach in clearwater?
Only leashed dogs are allowed on the north end of Clearwater North Beach, which starts at Somerset Street in Clearwater, Florida. Bring your dog along for a walk on the sand and in the surf, as long as they are well-behaved and clean up after.
Is Siesta Key Beach Dog-Friendly?
No, unfortunately. Pets are not permitted on Siesta Key Beach in order to maintain it clean, healthy, and safe for wildlife.
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