Florida Dog Beaches

Florida dog beaches allow you and your four-legged friend to enjoy the sand and the surf together.  But not all Florida beaches are dog-friendly.  Which ones can you bring your canine companion to, while on your Florida vacation?

Before You Go

Quite a few of the Florida dog beaches require you to pay a registration fee.  Some require that you pay full price, and some allow for a week's purchase.

Some of the beaches may have some leash laws, so do keep that in mind.

Some beaches have dog days when you can bring your dog, others are open all the time.  Know the times/days that the beach you're going to allows.

Remember to bring plenty of water for your pet, because the sea water is very salty -- you don't want him or her to try and drink it.  And also the sun and sand can make for some very hot temperatures.

And it goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) -- clean up after your dog.

Florida Dog Beaches

This isn't a comprehensive list, but here are a few pet-friendly beaches in various parts of Florida.

North Florida:

• Fernandina City Beach -- leash law, no permit.
• Huguenot Memorial Park -- leash law, no permit.  Jacksonville area.
• Katheryn Abby Hanna Park Beach, Jacksonville area.
• Smyrna Dunes Park -- leash law, no permit.  Not allowed on the beach itself, but are allowed by the river and inlet.  New Smyrna Beach area.

Spacecoast

• Ponce Inlet -- leash law, no permit. Between New Smyrna Beach and Titusville.

Southeast Florida Dog Beaches

• Fort Pierce Inlet State Park -- leash law, no permit.  Dogs not allowed on the main beach, but are allowed on the cove beach.
• Jupiter Beach -- no permit, but bring dogs early morning or late afternoon.  Don't allow dogs to run free unless the beach is deserted.  Jupiter area.
• Canine Beach -- leash law, permit required.  Only open to dogs Friday, Saturday and Sunday, in the afternoons. Ft. Lauderdale area.

Florida Keys

• Anne's Beach -- leash law, no permit.  Islamorada.
• Veteran's Memorial Park -- leash law, no permit.  Duck Key.
• Find out more about pet friendly beaches in the Florida Keys.

Southwest Florida

• Algiers Beach -- leash law, no permit.  Sanibel Island.
• Lighthouse Park Beach -- leash law, no permit.  Sanibel Island.
• Fort Myers Dog Beach -- no permit, must have vaccination records with you.  Ft. Myers Beach.

Tampa Area

• De Soto National Memorial Beach -- leash law, no permit.   Bradenton
• Pinellas Causeway Beach -- leash law, no permit.   St Petersburg
• Davis Island Dog Park -- leash-free area, no permit.   Tampa
• Honeymoon Island State Park -- leash law, no permit.   Dunedin

Florida's Panhandle

• St. George Island Public Beaches -- leash or direct voice command, no permit.   Apalachicola area.
• Cape San Blas Barrier Dunes -- leash law, no permit.  Port St. Joe area.
• Carrabelle Beach -- leash law where sunbathers are present; on deserted stretches of beach dog may be off-leash. No permit.   Carabelle

There you go -- some of Florida's dog beaches!

Top of Florida Dog Beaches page

Best Beaches in Florida page

Pet-Friendly Beaches in the Florida Keys

Florida Outdoors page