Top Dog Friendly Beaches Worldwide

Dog friendly beaches are heaven on earth for Fido. And since sandy paws equal happy dogs, we’ve sniffed out the best beaches where dogs can run, swim, and frolic in the sand. Use the links/map below to find a dog-friendly beach.

Rosie's Dog Beach

Long Beach, CA

Rosie's Dog Beach Rosie's Dog Beach is located along Ocean Blvd between Roycroft and Argonne Avenues in Long Beach, CA. This area is not fenced in and is not a dedicated "dog beach." Some bags are provided in dispensers, but users are encouraged to bring their own bags from home. The Dog Zone is in effect from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. Rosie's Dog Beach one may be closed occasionally due to a special event or poor beach conditions. Dogs are not permitted at times other than scheduled hours, or any other place than Dog Zone and access paths. Please see the website for more dog beach rules. See Details

Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry's Beach)

Santa Barbara, CA

Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry's Beach) Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry's Beach) is a dog-friendly, off-leash beach in City of Santa Barbara is the beach that runs below the Douglas Family Preserve. The area begins east of the slough at Arroyo Burro Beach (the locals call it Hendry's Beach), and stretches almost to the steps at Mesa Lane. The fallen eucalyptus trees are considered the eastern boundary. From the parking lot at Arroyo Burro, walk to the beach, turn left, and cross the slough - this will bring you to the off-leash legal area. Please be sure your dog is leashed in the parking lot and on the beach until you cross the slough. See Details

Huntington Dog Beach

Huntington Beach, CA

Huntington Dog Beach Huntington Dog Beach in California is considered doggy-heaven by most visitors. Dogs come from all over the world to play in the sand and splash in the surf. Visitors are asked to abide by good doggy etiquette which includes properly disposing of pet waste and ensuring that your dog is non-aggressive and under control at all times. Dog Beach amenities include public restrooms, grassy area with picnic tables, and drinking fountains for dogs and humans. See Details

Clearwater North Beach

Clearwater, FL

Clearwater North Beach Leashed dogs are allowed on the north section only of Clearwater North Beach, which starts at Somerset Street in Clearwater, FL. Bring your pooch for a stroll along the sand and in the surf, as long as they are well-behaved and cleaned up after. Although there's no parking north of Somerset, public meter parking can be found on Mandalay Ave, south of Somerset. See Details

Driftwood Beach

Jekyll Island, GA

Driftwood Beach Driftwood Beach in Jekyll Island, GA is dog-friendly. This sandy area is covered in beautiful pieces of driftwood, perfect for Fido to hide under when it's hot. Dogs must be on a leash, but they can still have fun wandering in the calm surf and on the golden sand. See Details

Assateague National Seashore

Berlin, MD

Assateague National Seashore Dogs are allowed on the beach along the Maryland portion of Assateague National Seashore in Berlin, but are not permitted on the nature trails or anywhere within the Virginia portion of Assateague Island. Dogs must be on a six-foot leash at all times. See Details

Jupiter Dog Beach

Jupiter, FL

Jupiter Dog Beach Jupiter Dog Beach is home to one of Florida's best off-leash beach areas. Dogs are free to roam a designated section of the beach running along A1A near Ocean Cay Park. This 2.5 mile stretch of beach is located from beach marker #26 at Marcinski Road, going north to beach marker #57 (at the Carlin Park property line) and welcomes well-behaved, obedient dogs. Since dogs are not required to be on-leash on the beach, only non-aggressive dogs that respond to voice commands from their owners are permitted. Friends of Jupiter Beach provides dog waste bags at every crossover along the dog-friendly beach areas. Visitors can park their cars for free in the lot at the intersection of Ocean Blvd and Marcinski Rd or in one of the spaces along A1A. Dogs are not allowed in lifeguard areas or Town of Jupiter parks (Carlin Park). See Details

Gulfside City Park

Sanibel, FL

Gulfside City Park One of the many pet-friendly beaches of Sanibel Island, Gulfside City Park is located near a City of Sanibel and Federal nature preserve. The beach is also home to threatened and endangered nesting shorebirds and sea turtles during much of the year. Dogs must be kept on a leash (maximum 8 feet) at all times, and owners are required by law to clean up after their pets. There are picnic tables, wash stations, and restrooms available, and an hourly parking fee is charged between the hours of 7 am to 7 pm (free after 7 pm). See Details

Fenwick Island State Park

Fenwick Island, DE

Fenwick Island State Park Fenwick Island State Park in Delaware has a nice, uncrowded beach for most of the year. Pets are welcome during the winter months, but prohibited from May 1st to September 30th. The area offers three miles of ocean beaches along with access to the Little Assawoman Bay. The park is home to a World War II-era fire control tower that helped protect the coastline. Boundary markers for areas open or closed to pets will typically be designated by signs posted at the seaward toe of the dune. To access beaches open to pets, use the pedestrian crossings located at designated parking areas. See Details

Coronado Dog Beach

Coronado, CA

Coronado Dog Beach Coronado's Dog Beach is a dog-friendly, leash-free on the western part of the beach in Coronado, CA. The area is marked by signs that run along Ocean Blvd. from Sunset Park on Ocean Drive, to the border of the U.S. Naval Station. Parking is available along Ocean Boulevard, but it is a rather long walk to the beach from there, so be sure to keep your dog leashed until you reach the beach. Coronado Animal Patrol maintains a zero-tolerance policy with fines up to $500 for unleashed dogs. Owners must monitor their dogs at all times and clean up after them. Dogs must have current licenses and be free from contagious diseases. Excessive barking and aggressive behavior are not permitted by dogs or humans. No food or pet treats allowed. There are no restrooms, but there is a foot shower south of the entrance on Ocean Blvd. The city provides free dog litter bags at the entrance to the run. See Details

The Original Dog Beach

San Diego, CA

The Original Dog Beach Perhaps the most popular canine hotspot in San Diego is The Original Dog Beach located at the northern end of Ocean Beach. Here, dogs can roam off leash at any time of the day. Owners should take care to pick up after their pets. After a day at the beach, you may want to head over to the Dog Beach Dog Wash to give Fido a bath. Located at 4933 Voltaire Street, the Dog Wash is just two blocks away from the beach. See Details

Burkes Beach

Hilton Head Island, SC

Burkes Beach Burkes Beach in Hilton Head Island is dog-friendly before 10am and after 5pm from April 1st through late September. It's walking distance to the Chaplain Community Park, which includes the Best Friends Dog Park; if you don't like to walk, there are parking spaces in both areas. Parking is free at the Community Park, and metered at the beach access point. See Details

Vilano Beach

St. Augustine, FL

Vilano Beach Dogs are welcome at Vilano Beach which is northeast of St. Augustine, FL on the A1A Scenic and historical byway. Dogs should be on a leash at all times. Owners are required to properly dispose of all pet waste immediately. See Details

Bowman's Beach

Sanibel, FL

Bowman's Beach Bowman's Beach is a beautiful, dog-friendly, secluded beach in Sanibel, FL, with hiking trails. Amenities include picnic tables, grills, pay phone, bathrooms and bike racks. Dogs are allowed on leash. See Details

Hunting Island State Park

Saint Helena Island, SC

Hunting Island State Park Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife. Pets are not allowed in or around lodging facilities.

Hunting Island is South Carolina’s single most popular state park, attracting more than a million visitors a year, as well as a vast array of land and marine wildlife. Five miles of pristine South Carolina beaches, thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest, a saltwater lagoon, and ocean inlet are all part of the park’s natural allure. See Details

Indiana Dunes National Park

Porter, IN

Indiana Dunes National Park Indiana Dunes National Park is a dog-friendly attraction in Porter, IN. Explore this beautiful nature center and dunes area with your leashed pet. Dogs are permitted on all beaches in the park except the West Beach swimming area. Before leaving, be sure to stop by the Visitors Center to have Fido certified as an official National Park B.A.R.K. Ranger! See Details

8th Avenue Dog Beach

Asbury Park, NJ

8th Avenue Dog Beach Pet-friendly 8th Avenue Dog Beach in Asbury Park, NJ welcomes Fido all day long between mid-September and mid-May. In summertime, you and Fido should plan an early morning or evening visit as dogs are prohibited between 8:30 am and 6:00 pm. If your hound was born to run, plan an off-leash romp at this popular beach. After a game of fetch or Frisbee, jump in the water with your pooch for a refreshing swim. See Details

Fiesta Island Park

San Diego, CA

Fiesta Island Park Most of this large sandy island in Mission Bay is designated leash-free for dogs. Fiesta Island Off-Leash Dog Park has lots of sandy dunes to romp in, and the calm bay waters allow the more adventurous dogs take a quick dip. There is a designated off-leash location on the backside of the island as Sea World will be on your left, fenced-in front with signs. Bring water for your dogs. Check the Seaworld website to confirm firework schedules if Fido is scared of the loud bangs. See Details

Freeman Park

Carolina Beach, NC

Freeman Park The dog-friendly Freeman Park on Carolina Beach, NC, welcomes dogs on a leash from April 1 to September 30. From October 1 to March 31, dogs are allowed off-leash as long as they are under voice command and their owner is near. Owners must carry a minimum of two suitable plastic or paper waste containers until it can be disposed of in an appropriate receptacle. The bags must be produced and shown upon request. See Details

Carmel Beach

Carmel, CA

Carmel Beach Carmel Beach in California is a beautiful beach with the happiest dogs on the planet! You'll see every shape, size, and age, running in the dog-friendly sugar sand and splashing in the aquamarine surf. Public restrooms and a public telephone are available at the Ocean Avenue end of Carmel Beach. See Details

Myrtle Beach State Park

Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach State Park Located in the heart of the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach State Park is one of the most popular public beaches along the South Carolina coast. Leashed dogs are permitted on the trails and in most of the outdoor areas of the park. However, dogs are not permitted on any beaches in the park from 10:00 am-5:00 pm, May 1-Labor Day. Dogs must be leashed at all times, and humans must always clean up after their pets. See Details

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach, OR

Cannon Beach Pets are welcome on-leash, or under voice control, year-round at the dog-friendly Cannon Beach, located near a quaint town center with loads of shops and cafes. See Details

Cape San Blas Beaches

Cape San Blas, FL

Cape San Blas Beaches Enjoy the beautiful dog-friendly beaches of Cape San Blas with your favorite furry friend! Play in the sand and surf, go scalloping (in season), or enjoy a cozy beach campfire with your dog by your side. Dogs must remain on leash at all times and are not allowed to dig near marked turtle nests. Doggie waste disposal stations are located at many beach access points. See Details

Dauphin Island Beach

Dauphin Island, AL

Dauphin Island Beach Dogs on a leash are allowed on the public beach year round. The public beach near the Red School House and the old fishing pier is the largest area on Dauphin Island set aside for dogs and their owners to romp and play on the sand and in the surf. There are at least a couple of miles of beach there, and with Sand Island now connected to Dauphin Island, there is another three miles of undeveloped beach jutting out into the Gulf on that barrier island. Though dogs are allowed at Dauphin Island's primary public beach and at the Dauphin Island Campground, dogs are not allowed at the West End Beach Park on the Island's extreme west end. See Details