Description

Dogs will have some fun in the sun here, but be sure to keep a close eye on your pup, as this is a rocky beach. After getting a little exercise on the beach, head over to Louie's Backyard, which is located next door to the Dog Beach and is a pet-friendly place to grab a refreshing beverage.

Reviews

BringFido Traveler Rating

Key West Dog Beach has received a rating of 2.3 out of 5 bones by 28 dog owners on BringFido.

  • worst beach ever Florencia May. 17, 2017
    worst beach ever

    The place is really small, full of rocks... Is not a beach. Don't bring your dog there.

  • Decent Beach Rachel May. 03, 2017
    Decent Beach

    Probably one of the smallest worst kept dog beaches I've ever seen. I grew up in Chicago, which had a very large sandy dog beach. This was a small gap between buildings that was way overrun with seaweed. Although the waves were calm, it was hard to tell where the shallow water and beach started; due to being overrun with seaweed.

  • Awesome Mr. Twister Oct. 05, 2016
    Awesome

    Small but fun. All dogs were well behaved. And the restaurant, bar Louie's is awesome.

  • pathetic Bruce Oct. 04, 2016
    pathetic

    Not a beach a vacant lot with some shoreline. Tiny-about 30 feet wide. A hangout for bums and drunks. The only good dog beaches in the area are accessible only by private boat and are not high and dry at higher tides.

  • Awesome dog beach Valerie More than one year ago.
    Awesome dog beach

    Great small dog beach. Our dogs loved swimming with us and playing ball in the ocean. We didn't see any rocks that others had mentioned. There is a garbage can, free tennis balls and doggie bags. Fun place with friendly people.

  • Dogs enjoyed it Vicki More than one year ago.
    Dogs enjoyed it

    The beach is located at the corner of Vernon and Waddell and there is a sign that says Dog Beach. The water was fairly calm and there was seaweed everywhere..a worker at Louie's decided to use a leaf blower near the dogs which the dogs didn't take too kindly to. We went early in the morning and were the only ones there for most of our visit. A local came by with a lab and said that it usually gets crowded around lunchtime. Like the others reviewers, it is a small area but we will go back.

  • nice little spot john yanik More than one year ago.
    nice little spot

    It's the only game in town for the dogs to use the beach, kinda small but my guys all love the water. We'd go in and swim for an hour. I like to go early so we have the whole place to ourselves. Never had any issues with the rocks as they are off to the side. My wife and I go with the dogs (3 shepherds) and she'll make drink runs to Louie's (which is the best restaurant on the island IMO) while the dogs and I are on the beach. Love this place. The water is nice and calm too

  • Not dog friendly Hunt More than one year ago.
    Not dog friendly

    I contacted KW police dept and told this is the only beach in Key West that allows dogs. It's a 30 foot stretch of rocks at the end of an alley next to a restaurant with seaweed and debris floating all across the surface of the water. Even if it wouldn't cut his feet (which it would) I wouldn't let my dog in that water. I suppose KW city government all have six toed cats and aren't dog lovers..

  • Tiny Ashley More than one year ago.
    Tiny

    This beach was small and situated between two concrete walls. The days we were there, the waves were quite rough, making us nervous to allow our puppy to try to swim. There is a patch of rock/concrete on one side of the sand that gets slippery. I don't know if this spot is better on different days, but the days we went, I would not have trusted our puppy to swim in those waters. The beach itself is a quiet little retreat.

  • Only good for big, water loving dogs. Esri More than one year ago.
    Only good for big, water loving dogs.

    As others have said, it's only about 30 feet wide, and has a steep downward slope. I remember it being sandy, not rocky, but it's not a place you would go to take a nice long walk with your dog. We brought our Chihuahua, and she was immediately surrounded by huge Labs. We left.

  • Terrible Dog Beach Bill More than one year ago.
    Terrible Dog Beach

    Not a dog beach. Very rocky. Small area. Too many issues.

  • Sad Excuse Emily More than one year ago.
    Sad Excuse

    I have now lived in Key West for 3 years and I cannot for the life of me understand why it ranks so high as dog friendly. Maybe because people bring their dogs into the grocery store? This "dog beach" is a small strip of sand between Louie's backyard restaurant and a wood wall from the resort next door. The wall of course doesn't go all the way down so my rat terrier saw it as fun to run back and forth under there where I couldn't see him. It is not a place for dogs to be dogs as if they bark in excitement too much someone from the restaurant next door will say something. It is not fenced, and there is no poop bags or water provided so be sure to come prepared. During high tide it is rough and not easy for the dogs to swim in. If I was a tourist I would not waste my time.

  • Not sure where we were Justine More than one year ago.
    Not sure where we were

    I think we made it to the dog beach, but I'm not really sure, since it's not marked. The "beach" was a patch of sand between 2 concrete walls. It worked for us because we just wanted a spot for our dogs to be off their leash and in the water, while on vacation. But, I would not call it a dog park.

  • Not sure where we were Justine More than one year ago.
    Not sure where we were

    I think we made it to the dog beach, but I'm not really sure, since it's not marked. The "beach" was a patch of sand between 2 concrete walls. It worked for us because we just wanted a spot for our dogs to be off their leash and in the water, while on vacation. But, I would not call it a dog park.

  • Not sure where we were Justine More than one year ago.
    Not sure where we were

    I think we made it to the dog beach, but I'm not really sure, since it's not marked. The "beach" was a patch of sand between 2 concrete walls. It worked for us because we just wanted a spot for our dogs to be off their leash and in the water, while on vacation. But, I would not call it a dog park.

  • It does the job mabel More than one year ago.
    It does the job

    If you want your dog to play in the ocean, it does the trick. Aside from that it's a very small beach and it's not fenced in.

  • Small but good enough @Tuco_the_Chiweenie More than one year ago.
    Small but good enough

    April 2014 Beach is blocked on two sides but not fenced. It's small but if you want to throw a toy in the water and have your dog fetch it or to go to ocean for first time it does the job. We had a great time with our Chiweenie, he was the smallest dog there. Sometimes there's no dogs other times half a dozen. Use your best judgement if you don't like the other dogs then leave (or go to Louie's and watch for a good time) we did on one visit because two very large dogs we're very interested in our little man. It's not kept up by any community program which is a shame because it could use a trash can and some picking up. Louie's is good next door to take a rest and have a drink with your dog.

  • don't waste your time Jane More than one year ago.
    don't waste your time

    Just an empty lot and the worlds smallest dog beach take your dog out to the boat ramp on Simonton Street beach instead. (Leashed)

  • Disappointingly Small Elena More than one year ago.
    Disappointingly Small

    We were very disappointed with the beach and were surprised it could even be called a beach. It is a patch of sand with no room for dogs to run and play.The small space allows no separation from ill-behaved dogs or humans, and several people there were trying to use the tiny spot for sunbathing.

  • no space Debra More than one year ago.
    no space

    This is the worlds smallest beach. No room for running, big rocks in the water. My dog had fun digging in the sand though. But we were really disappointed.

  • Terrible Catalina More than one year ago.
    Terrible

    I've been to other dog beaches, and what the key west beach had to offer was below disappointing. The "beach" as they call it is a small shore line what has building closing it off from anything and it is rocky all over. I was very upset that I walked all over looking for it and what I found was more of a dump than anything else

  • GROSS jeanine More than one year ago.
    GROSS

    key west dog beach should not be classified as any sort of beach at all. rather, an "empty lot", adjacent to louie's backyard, that is habitually littered with homeless people and trash. also, the "lot" is not fenced in. unfortunately, there are not any beaches in key west that are truly dog friendly ... i'm ready to move back to the mainland.

  • Nice spot Lexi More than one year ago.
    Nice spot

    I dont understand why everyone keeps saying this is a 'rocky' beach. It's not rocky AT all. I think what happened is these people went to the wrong side. There IS a spot just north of Louies restaurant that is rocky, but it is not the dog beach. You have to make sure you are on the south side of Louie's restaurant where there are no rocks. It is small, but still enough room for a bunch of dogs to run around and have fun. Cute spot - my pup had a lot of fun, except for the moron who couldn't control his rat dog, that ended up biting my poor puppy in the face. Just beware the owners - that are stupid enough to leave their aggressive animals off leashes knowing they bite, thats my only complaint. Oh, and the fact there are no showers to wipe off, or places to toss poop. Otherwise, it's a must see for your visit to Key west with your dog(s)!

  • Louies Deb More than one year ago.
    Louies

    Louies's was not only NOT dog friendly, they were VERY rude to us, will never go back there!

  • Great little beach Jackie More than one year ago.
    Great little beach

    Ok, here's the deal with Louie's backyard and every other restaurant in key west right now. The host at Louie's told me that Florida state law prohibits dogs at restaurants, but cities can pass an ordinance to override it. Key west had never bothered to do that, but nobody cared until a drunk lady tripped over a dog at another restaurant and sued. According to the host at Louie's, the city is working on an ordinance to officially allow dogs at outdoor tables. By the time you read this, it may have been passed. As for the beach itself, it was great. It is small and rocky, but so are all the beaches in the Keys. My only complaint is that there's no trashcan to dispose of dog waste and no hose to rinse off with. Otherwise, it's a great little beach for you and your dog to enjoy!

  • Disappointing Shelly More than one year ago.
    Disappointing

    For as dog friendly as KW is, the "dog beach" is a big disappointment. It's about 30 feet wide (at most) between two buildings and filled with huge rocks that you have to climb over. Louies was NOT dog friendly on that day??? Sand is dirt and dusty, lots of garbage, no water and there is no place to rinse off.

  • Dog Beach Key West Melissa More than one year ago.
    Dog Beach Key West

    Our Lab enjoyed her first ever beach frolic here. She had a blast. It is small but everyone was very friendly. (Take a chair). Louie's Back Porch allows dogs in the outdoor bar area and and seating under the umbrellas!

  • Dont Miss The Beach Pam More than one year ago.
    Dont Miss The Beach

    My pup loved the beach in the morning and evening when it wasnt too hot (we went in June). It wasnt too crowded. The area was a bit smaller than I expected. Louis backyard restaurant has been reported as allowing dogs on their porch, but they do not. Sadly.

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