30 Best Beaches in Florida That Allow Dogs

Dog-Friendly Beaches on Florida’s Panhandle

Florida’s Panhandle is home to some of the state’s most exquisite beaches. When combined with the small town vibes of Pensacola or Panama City Beach and the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, these beaches that allow dogs are the stuff that dream beach days are made of.

1. Pensacola Beach That Allows Dogs: Bayview Dog Beach

Bayview Dog Beach is part of the larger Bayview Park complex which sits on a river/bayou body of water called Bayou Texar. This dog-friendly beach in Pensacola is rather small and can get packed. However, its location on a quiet body of water makes it the perfect place for dogs to frolic in the water, especially those which may not be accustomed to waves or the stronger waters of the open Gulf beaches. Bayview Dog Beach also has a grassy area where dogs can play to get off the sand.

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2. Garniers Beach Park, Fort Walton Beach

Garniers Beach Park is a neighborhood park with 240 feet of beach on Choctawhatchee Bay. The park features a beach, playground, boat ramp, and picnic tables. Dogs are welcome as long as they remain on a leash and owners pick up after them, common courtesy rules which are present at most beaches that allow dogs in Florida. Learn more about this locals’ beach on the city’s website.

3. Dog Beach at Pier Park, Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach holds a reputation for being dog friendly and shows it with several dog parks and a dedicated dog beach. The Dog Beach at Pier Park sits on the west side of the pier directly in front of Pier Park. The beach appears well-maintained with plenty of room to roam and lots of water to play in. Dogs must be on leashes at all times, though some visitors report seeing well-behaved dogs off-leash. For more information and rules of the beach, visit their website.

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4. St. Joe Beach, Port St. Joe

St. Joe Beach offers miles of sandy beach and warm waters to play in. And it’s one of the best Florida beaches that allows dogs. Dogs must stay on leashes, but if your pooch wants off-leash time, St. Joe Beach Dog Park sits across the street from the beach. Like all beaches and dog parks, owners should be responsible and clean up after their pets.

5. Cape Palms Park, Port St. Joe

Cape Palms Park is one of many Gulf County parks and beaches which allow dogs. In fact, all the Gulf County beaches are dog-friendly except St. Joseph Peninsula State Park and Eglin Air Force Base. Cape Palms Park is a beachfront park in Port St. Joe, which offers a covered pavilion, swings, plenty of parking, and walk-on beach access. Bring the dogs (on leashes, of course) and enjoy quiet walks in the surf, gorgeous sunsets, and lots of beach to romp on.

Dog-Friendly Beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast

Florida’s central Gulf Coast is well known for its beautiful beaches. Here visitors find top beaches such as Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach. Unfortunately, most of those beaches are not dog friendly. There are, however, several beaches which allow dogs, particularly in the Tampa Bay area. The Tampa Bay area also happens to be where one finds most of the beaches in the central Gulf area. Salt marshes and wetlands characterize Florida’s coast from just north of Tampa Bay. Few beaches exist in this part of Florida.

6. Lil Shark Park, Cedar Key

Lil Shark Park is Cedar Key’s only true public beach. This part of Florida is not known for its turquoise waters and sandy beaches, but sometimes pups want to play on the sand and not in a boat. They can do that at Lil Shark Park. This park is not specifically a dog beach but is open to everyone and has restrooms and a playground. Be certain to follow posted rules and be aware that dog lovers and those who don’t love dogs nearly as much all share this park.

7. Gulf Shore Park, Crystal Beach

A small neighborhood park, Gulf Shore Park offers dog owners a grassy place for the pups to play and water access. The water has slowly reclaimed the white sand beach, leaving just a spit of land at the bottom of a set of steps. Dogs are supposed to stay on leash, though many people let them roam free, careening around the grassy area and up and down the steps into the water. Across the street from the water, the park occupies a large central square with water fountains and oak trees shading the grounds. Crystal Beach is a laid-back area; still, dog owners should observe the rules, pick up after their pets, and maintain control of them at all times.

8. Honeymoon Island Pet Beach, Dunedin

Honeymoon Island State Park is one jewel in Florida’s award-winning state park. And it has a pet beach! At the southern tip of the island’s beach, the pet beach offers a beach and water for on-leash play. The parking lot has plenty of room and a dog wash area to wash off the salt and sand before getting in the car. The walk to the beach is approximately a quarter mile and unpaved, so pack accordingly. Once on the beach, there’s plenty of room to walk, swim, set up chairs or blankets, and simply enjoy the day. Though dogs are not allowed at the other beaches in the park, they are welcome on-leash on the nature trails.

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9. Dog Friendly Beach in Tampa: Davis Island Dog Beach

Davis Island Dog Beach is a small strip of sand near downtown Tampa and next to the Peter Knight Airport. It’s a fenced in beach with a dog wash and direct parking lot access. Considered a hidden gem, it’s a popular spot with many local dog owners. The immediate area also has a human-only beach, a boat ramp, and an enclosed dog park with no beach or water access. The beach’s location near the Port of Tampa means the view isn’t the best, and the water is not the aquamarine color expected in Florida, but it’s a great place to let the dogs loose and let them tire themselves on the sand and in the sea.

10. Fort de Soto Park Dog Beach, St. Petersburg

Widely considered one of the best dog beaches in Florida by dog owners, Fort de Soto Park Dog Beach offers one of the largest dog beaches in the area as well as a fenced-in grassy park for those who prefer to stay off the sand. Ample parking and restrooms nearby make this beach the perfect place for a family beach day which includes the fur babies. Many people let their dogs off-leash to run and play, though keep an eye on the dogs and kids as currents through this part of the park can get pretty strong. The park protects and honors a strong historical past as seen in the small museum, historical marker trail, and the fort.

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Southwest Florida Beaches That Allow Dogs

South Florida – both Southwest Florida and the Atlantic Coast – has the greatest number of dog-friendly beaches in Florida. It’s difficult to choose the best five; many are excellent beaches with fantastic facilities for the dogs. Continuing our tour around Florida, these are five of the best pet-friendly beaches in Southwest Florida, from Venice south to about Naples.

11. Brohard Paw Park, Venice

Brohard Paw Park Beach is the only beach in Sarasota County where dogs are allowed to play. This dog park features a fenced-in park where pups can run free, separated by size. The fenced area continues along a wide sidewalk and boardwalk, which lead to the beach. Posted signs along the beach show where the dog beach ends. The beach here is one continuous beach which stretches south to Caspersen Beach and north to South Jetty Beach, much of it known for a wealth of shark teeth, beautiful shells, and stunning sunsets. It’s one of the best beaches that allows dogs in Florida.

12. 3rd Street Beach Access, Boca Grande

Parts of Boca Grande Beach appear to allow dogs. Specifically, the 3rd Street Beach Access reviews state that dogs were allowed to splash in the water and roam around. It’s a less popular beach, perhaps because the water drop off is more steep here. The beach and surrounding homes are stunning, as are the sunsets. Nearby Gasparilla Island State Park also allows dogs in parts of the park, though not on the beach.

13. Dog-Friendly Beach in Sanibel: Gulfside City Park Beach

This park is one of several places on Sanibel Island where dogs are allowed on the beach. It stands out because it’s a bit more secluded than other spots, so fewer dogs are on the beach, perfect for pups who prefer the beach to themselves. Gulfside City Park is between nature preserves and a protected area for nesting shorebirds; therefore, pets must be kept on leashes at all times to keep the disruption to the birds to a minimum. Still, it’s a beautiful place to take Fido with a long beach that encourages lots of walking and surf-play.

14. Bonita Beach Dog Park, Bonita Springs

Bonita Dog Beach offers dog owners in Bonita Springs the perfect place to enjoy the beach with their pets. This beach has dog waste stations, a shower station, and a portable toilet. It’s free and unsupervised, but please follow the rules. A county park, Lee County clearly states the future of dog beach depends on the ability of dog owners to use it responsibly. The park’s parking is roadside along Estero Boulevard with a walk through the mangroves to get to the beach. Once there, shallow waters and several nearby sandbars provide lots of places to play and explore.

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15. Best Dog Beach in Naples: Keewaydin Island Beach

Keewaydin Island offers the only dog-friendly beach in the Naples/Marco Island area. The downside, however, is that it’s an island and accessible only by boat. The Hemingway Water Shuttle is pet-friendly for well-behaved animals and provides access to the island for anyone who doesn’t own a boat. Keewaydin Island stretches for eight miles of uninterrupted white sandy beach. A barrier island, Keewaydin is 80% undeveloped with just a few private homes built on it. Much of the island is a nature preserve. Food boats patrol the beach to offer food and drinks to beachgoers who ran out, didn’t plan well, or just want something different.

Florida Keys Beaches That Allow Dogs

The Florida Keys sparkle with brilliantly colored aquamarine waters, bright blue skies, and swaying palm trees. They are known for a laid-back lifestyle, romantic resorts, and great fishing. The Keys, however, are not known for having beautiful white sand beaches. Formed from outcroppings of limestone rock, the Florida Keys have very few natural beaches. Therefore, there are few beaches that allow dogs. Some of the finest beaches in the Keys are state parks, like Bahia Honda, and do not allow dogs on the beaches. A few waterfront spots, however, welcome our furry friends. From north (Key Largo) to south (Key West), these are our five favorite pet-friendly beaches in the Florida Keys.

16. Key Largo Beach That Allows Dogs: Rowell’s Waterfront Park

Rowell’s Waterfront Park is an 8-acre dog-friendly park and beach in Key Largo. The park features a grassy lawn, which leads from the paved parking lot to the natural beach. A seawall protects the beach from water, requiring entry into the water by climbing down or using the pool-style ladder. A natural rock seawall further out provides protection from rougher waters and a place to walk, sit, and fish. The park also has picnic tables, restrooms, and a multi-use path around the park.

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17. Sombrero Beach, Marathon

While the Florida Keys might not have many beaches compared to other parts of Florida, we find a big exception at Sombrero Beach. Here, a shady park frames the sandy beach, which frames the beautiful waters of the Atlantic Ocean. At the tip of a peninsula with water on two sides of the beach, Sombrero Beach is unusual because it offers a wide sandy beach on which to play or sunbathe. There are restrooms, covered picnic shelters, and occasional palm trees offering shade. It’s a popular beach with locals, so plan to get there early to grab the best spot on the beach. Well-behaved dogs are welcome but must remain leashed, and owners need to be responsible about picking up after them.

18. Veteran’s Memorial Park, Big Pine Key

Veteran’s Memorial Park sits on Little Duck Key at the south end of Seven Mile Bridge. A small stretch of sand along the side of the highway, the water here remains shallow for a considerable distance, making it an ideal place to spend a morning with the dogs. A few trees provide shade while picnic tables on a first-come basis provide places off the sand on which to eat lunch or sit and enjoy the views of the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic bridge. Bring everything you’ll need as there are no facilities except porta-potties.

19. Big Pine Key Community Park, Big Pine Key

Big Pine Key Park offers activities for many people. A newly built roller hockey rink. Basketball and tennis courts. A baseball diamond. Picnic shelters, a fishing pier, and a great waterfront location. Designed to be inclusive of the entire community, Big Pine Key Park includes dogs in that inclusivity. Leashed dogs are welcome anywhere in the park. Though there isn’t a designated swim area or beach, a few low spots beside the water offer adequate entry for the pup who wants to lounge in the water for a little while. A paved multi-use path around the park and plenty of grassy lawn create the ideal place to walk and get a little exercise. For dog owners who want to take their dogs off the leash, Big Pine Key Dog Park is just a couple of miles away.

20. Higgs Memorial Beach Park, Key West

Dog owners rejoice! From the iconic Southernmost Point (well, just north of it) to White Street, Key West offers several dog friendly waterfront places to play with your pups. Higgs Memorial Beach Park stands out for several reasons, mainly the wide sandy beach where dogs are allowed. From Higgs Pier to Edward B. Knight Pier, the park is home to volleyball courts, the Key West Garden Club, a children’s park, and is the site of an 1860s African cemetery. Though dogs are only allowed on the Higgs “side” of the Garden Club, the Edward B. Knight Pier beside County Beach allows dogs to run off leash at the end of the pier every evening for “yappy hour”. South of Higgs Beach near the Southernmost Point, Key West also has a designated Dog Beach where pups can run and play.

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Dog-Friendly Beaches in South Florida

If you’ve been to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Palm Beach and seen well-loved pets, it won’t surprise you to know there are many dog-friendly beaches in that part of Florida. The five beaches below are our favorite dog beaches in South Florida or are public beaches which allow well-behaved, leashed dogs to enjoy the sand and surface with their hoomans.

21. Beach for Dogs in Miami: Hobie Beach Island Park

In the ‘70s and ‘80s, when Hobie cats saw the height of their popularity, Hobie Beach became the place to go sailing with your small catamaran. Today it’s the place to go windsurfing. And take your dog to play in the water. Hobie Beach Island Park stretches along the south side of the Rickenbacker Causeway east of Miami. Palm trees cast shadows to the sand, which forms a few shallow coves in which to enjoy the warm water. A grassy area at one end provides a great place to throw down a picnic blanket and enjoy lunch while people-watching. Restrooms are available onsite as well as the Old Rickenbacker Causeway, which is now a fishing pier. Pop-up food stalls sell cold drinks, hot dogs, chips, and other snacks. 

22. North Beach Oceanside Park, Miami Beach

One of Miami Beach’s favorite parks, North Beach Oceanside Park is a gem to be enjoyed by everyone, including Fido. The park offers a multi-use exercise path perfect for walks with your leashed pet. A canopy of trees shades much of the trail except the portion that runs along the beach. Leased dogs can also walk down to the water and play in the surf. To give your doggo an even better experience, two fenced areas provide places for dogs to run and play off-leash – one side for large dogs and one for small. The surrounding neighborhood is also very dog friendly. Many of the restaurants with patios allow dogs to join their owners for outdoor dining.

23. Dog Beach @ Hollywood Beach, Hollywood

One of the premier dog beaches in Florida, Hollywood Dog Beach is a dog-friendly portion of Hollywood Beach. Here, dogs are welcome to frolic in the surf and sand without a leash as long as their human maintains voice control. Dog Beach is free to use Monday through Thursday and requires a paid pass Friday through Sunday, which can be purchased on-site. Overall, dog owners who visit this beach maintain it well by cleaning up after their dogs. Humans and dogs are usually quite friendly, and the beach is a favorite among dog lovers from all over the state.

24. Fort Lauderdale Dog Beach, Fort Lauderdale

This canine beach gives approximately 100 yards over to the dogs and their owners, providing a place for pups to play in the water and on sand. This stretch of beach is located inside of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, a nature sanctuary tucked in between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. Dogs need to remain on their leashes; however, it’s a favorite beach among dog owners in South Florida. Fort Lauderdale Beach is historically known as one of Florida’s best beaches, once drawing thousands of spring breakers. Though its reputation is a bit more muted now, it’s still a stunning beach and a great place to catch a sunrise, walk the beach, or enjoy a swim in the ocean. It’s only made better by bringing your furry friend along!

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25. South Florida Beach That Allows Dogs: Jupiter Dog Beach

Yes! Your dog can play off-leash at Jupiter Off-Leash Dog Beach. I mean, it’s even in the name! In 1989, Jupiter’s Town Council kept Jupiter’s beaches dog friendly for which all dog owners are grateful. Dogs here have 2.5 miles of beach on which to romp. Though it’s an off-leash beach, the town requests that dogs remain on a leash in other parts of town, particularly when walking from the car to the beach or back again. Jupiter Beach is also one of the best beaches for families so please be conscientious of non-dog-owners as well. We all want to share the same beach space in harmony! 

Northeast Florida Beaches That Allow Dogs

Dog friendly beaches from Florida’s central Atlantic coast north to Jacksonville are harder to come by. Many of the beaches along this part of Florida’s coast are privately owned or part of state parks. While we love to visit our state parks, many are not dog friendly and their beaches often are not because they are protected areas for shorebirds, nesting turtles, or other protected wildlife. The following five beaches, however, welcome dogs, providing fantastic places to enjoy the beach with your canine friend.

26. Tiger Shores Beach, Hutchinson Island Beaches

Tucked between condominiums south of Jensen Beach, this county beach is a favorite among dog owners. Its location among private communities means the beach is relatively empty and quiet, perfect for a day in the sun with your doggo. All the normal dog beach rules should be followed. Keep in mind, also, that it’s a favorite beach for fishing, so keep an eye out for any fishing line or other debris that could harm your pooch.

27. Walton Rocks Beach, Jensen Beach

A couple miles north of Tiger Shores in St. Lucie County, Walton Rocks Beach is 24 acres of beachfront play area for your dog. It’s also an off-leash beach, making it a favorite for owners of well-behaved dogs. Different parking areas provide several access points to the beach. This park also offers restrooms and picnic shelters. It’s the perfect place to spend a morning enjoying the chill vibe and getting a little exercise in. Like other dog friendly Atlantic coast beaches, this one allows shore fishing.

28. Canova Beach Park, Indialantic

Canova Beach Park is a 9 acre community park on the beach. The park welcomes dogs, though they must remain on a leash. A small parking lot leads to a wide sandy beach with calm waters. At low tide, a reef just offshore becomes more visible, showing off the wildlife and marine ecosystem famed in this part of Florida. The park provides restrooms, showers, and picnic shelters.

29. Ponce Inlet Dog Beach, Ponce Inlet

Ponce Inlet Dog Beach occupies a wide sandy point on the inside of Ponce Inlet at Lighthouse Point Park. The designated dog beach sits about 100 yards or so from the parking lot. Expect to walk a bit and haul in your gear – picnic blanket, towels, cooler, etc. Dogs must remain on leashes though reviews report the rule is loosely enforced. While the part of the beach facing the inlet appears more popular with dog owners and families, the portion which faces the Halifax River draws lots of jet skiers, kayakers, and paddle boarders as well. 

30. Beach for Dogs in St. Augustine: North Beach Park

This park in St. Augustine sits across A1A from the beach and offers a walkover footbridge to safely access the beach from the parking lot. The park side provides restrooms, a playground, and picnic shelters. Expect no facilities on the beach side. Dog owners must keep their pets leashed and shore fishing is allowed. However, the very wide expanse of beach, and miles of it, provide lots of room to roam and play.

Conclusion: Dog Friendly Beaches in Florida

Florida beaches rank among the best in the world and, for dog owners, spending a day on the sand with their furry BFFs equals the best Florida offers. Though these thirty beaches that allow dogs are our favorites, there are many other dog friendly beaches in Florida. If you plan to head to the beach with your pet, be sure to double check conditions and make sure your planned location allows dogs. And if your beach plans include camping, check out these campgrounds on the beach.