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 Bring Fido to splash in the water at Rosie's Dog Beach in Long Beach, CA! This area is not fenced in and is not a dedicated "dog beach", but pups are permitted to visit with their owners during the daily Dog Zone hours, 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM. Ensure Fido is on a leash while heading to the beach, but he can roam free once inside the designated space! Visit their website for a complete list of 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 legal off-leash area. Please be sure your dog is leashed in the parking lot and on the beach until you cross the slough. 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

Fiesta Island Park

San Diego, CA

Fiesta Island Park Most of Fiesta Island Park, a large sandy island in San Diego, CA is designated leash-free for dogs. It has lots of sandy dunes to romp in, and the calm bay waters allow the more adventurous dogs to take a quick dip. There's a designated off-leash location on the backside of the island. Bring water for your dogs. See Details

Assateague National Seashore

Berlin, MD

Assateague National Seashore Dogs are allowed on the beach, outside of the lifeguard-protected beach area, along the Maryland portion of Assateague National Seashore in Berlin. Pets are not permitted on the nature trails or anywhere within the Virginia portion of Assateague Island, and visiting pups 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 in Jupiter, FL. This 2.5-mile stretch of pet-friendly 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. See Details

Fenwick Island State Park

Fenwick Island, DE

Fenwick Island State Park Fenwick Island State Park in Delaware has a nice, uncrowded, pet-friendly beach during winter. However, dogs are prohibited from May 1st to September 30th. The area offers three miles of ocean beaches and access to the Little Assawoman Bay. Boundary markers for areas open or closed to pets will typically be designated by signs posted at the seaward toe of the dune. See Details

Gulfside City Beach Park

Sanibel, FL

Gulfside City Beach Park One of the many pet-friendly beaches of Sanibel Island, Gulfside City Beach Park is located near a City of Sanibel and Federal nature preserve. This Florida 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, restrooms, and parking for an hourly fee. See Details

Coronado Dog Beach

Coronado, CA

Coronado Dog Beach Coronado's Dog Beach is a dog-friendly, leash-free area on the western part of the shore in Coronado, CA. Parking is available along Ocean Boulevard, but it can be a rather long walk to the beach, so be sure to keep your pup leashed until you reach the sand, as there is a strict zero-tolerance policy for unleashed dogs. Owners are asked to monitor their dogs at all times, clean up any messes and ensure that Fido has all current licenses before visiting. Make sure to bring a camera and snap some photos of Fido with the stunning scenery! The Point Loma headland and iconic Hotel del Coronado are visible from the shore. See Details

The Original Dog Beach

San Diego, CA

The Original Dog Beach Perhaps the most popular canine hotspot in San Diego, CA 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. See Details

Huntington Dog Beach

Huntington Beach, CA

Huntington Dog Beach Huntington Dog Beach in Huntington Beach, CA is considered a dog-friendly 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

Burkes Beach

Hilton Head Island, SC

Burkes Beach Burkes Beach in Hilton Head Island, SC is dog friendly before 10:00 AM and after 5:00 PM from April 1st through late September. It's within walking distance of the Chaplain Community Park, which includes the Best Friends Dog Park. If you don't like to walk, there is free parking at the Community Park and metered parking at the beach access point. See Details

Vilano Beach

St. Augustine, FL

Vilano Beach Pups are welcome to join you at Vilano Beach, a pet-friendly beach 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 Park

Sanibel, FL

Bowman's Beach Park Bowman's Beach Park is a beautiful, secluded beach in Sanibel, FL featuring dog-friendly hiking trails. Park amenities include picnic tables, grills, bathrooms and a pavilion. Dogs are allowed on leash. Please note, there is a parking fee. See Details

Hunting Island State Park

Saint Helena Island, SC

Hunting Island State Park Visit the dog-friendly Hunting Island State Park located in Saint Helena Island, SC. This recreation area 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. It offers five miles of pet-friendly beaches, thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest, a saltwater lagoon and an ocean inlet. Please keep your well-behaved pup on a leash no longer than six feet and clean up after him. 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

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach, OR

Cannon Beach Cannon Beach is a dog-friendly area in Cannon Beach, OR. Pets are welcome on a leash, or under voice control, year-round. The beach is located near a quaint town center with loads of shops and cafes. 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

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

Dauphin Island Beach

Dauphin Island, AL

Dauphin Island Beach Dauphin Island Beach in Alabama offers an area where Fido is welcome year round. The dog-friendly area is located near the Red School House and the old fishing pier. There are at least a couple of miles of beach there, and with Sand Island now connected to Dauphin Island, there are another three miles of undeveloped beach jutting out into the Gulf on that barrier island. Please note that dogs are not allowed at the West End Beach Park on the Island's extreme west end. See Details