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.

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

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

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

Rosie's Dog Beach

Long Beach, CA

Rosie's Dog Beach Take Fido for a splash at the pet-friendly Rosie's Dog Beach in Long Beach, CA! While not a fully fenced or officially designated dog beach, dogs are welcome to enjoy the sand and surf during the daily Dog Zone hours from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Be sure to keep your pup leashed on the way in, but once inside the designated area, they’re free to roam and play off-leash. For full guidelines and rules, check out their website. 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

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

First Landing State Park

Virginia Beach, VA

First Landing State Park First Landing State Park is a pet-friendly natural landmark in Virginia Beach, VA. Your leashed pup is welcome to tag along at one of the most visited state parks. Fido will have a blast running in the water and exploring any of the 20 miles of trails. 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

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

Asbury Park Dog Beach

Asbury Park, NJ

Asbury Park Dog Beach Pet-friendly Asbury Park 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

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

Wildwood Dog Park & Beach

Wildwood, NJ

Wildwood Dog Park & Beach The Wildwood Dog Park & Beach is located between Glenwood and Maple Avenues in Wldwood, NJ. The dog park is open daily, and the dog beach is open from dawn to dusk. All rules for the Wildwood Dog Park & Beach are posted at entry and must be followed. Fresh water and clean up bags are available on site. Dogs on the beach must remain leashed, and leashes in the park are optional. 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

Isle of Palms Beaches

Isle of Palms, SC

Isle of Palms Beaches Isle of Palms Beaches in South Carolina boasts seven miles of pristine coasts that you can access via 57 public paths. These pet-friendly beaches allow dogs to visit off-leash from 5:00 AM until 9:00 AM April 1st through September 14th, and from 4:00 PM until 10:00 AM September 15th through March 31st. At all other times, dogs must be leashed and under complete control, even in the water. Residents are encouraged to obtain a dog permit from the Isle of Palms Police Department when visiting. See Details

Myrtle Beach Public Beaches

Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach Public Beaches Public Beaches in Myrtle Beach, SC, are pet friendly during certain times of the day throughout the year. Dogs are permitted on the beach anytime from Labor Day through April 30. No dogs are allowed on the beach from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM May 1- Labor Day. Pets must be on a leash seven feet or shorter at all times. Owners are responsible for picking up and disposing of waste. See Details

Gateway National Recreation Area

Highlands, NJ

Gateway National Recreation Area The Gateway National Recreation Area in Highlands, NJ is pet friendly between certain dates. Dogs are not permitted on ocean-side beaches at Sandy Hook Unit from March 15 through September 15 due to piping plover season. Pets are permitted on bay-side beaches at Plum Island and Horseshoe Cove throughout the year, but must always be on a leash. Dog owners must carry out all trash, and make preparations for carrying out dog waste. Parking is $20 in the summer season from Memorial Day to Labor Day. See Details

Bonita Beach Dog Park

Fort Myers Beach, FL

Bonita Beach Dog Park Bonita Beach Dog Park is a Lee County dog beach located along the edge of Lover's Key State Park in Fort Myers Beach, FL. This off-leash beach allows dogs to run around and play in the shallow, calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There are no fences, so be sure to supervise your dogs at all times. See Details