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Beach chair and umbrella? Check. Mineral sunscreen? Check. Your super cute puppy? Double check! Florida has no shortage of beautiful beaches, but not everyone will allow your four-legged friend to have fun in the sun with you. *Sigh* Don’t worry: We’ve found nine beaches across the state that welcome both humans and pups. Here are the best dog-friendly beaches in Florida.
Best Dog Friendly Florida Beaches
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Get this: Almost all of Jupiter’s beaches are open to pups, thanks to a 1989 policy passed by the Jupiter City Council that allows dogs on local beaches. There are, however, certain rules. Dogs must be well behaved and carry the appropriate tags and licenses and owners are required to collect them. Hey, nothing we can’t handle.
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Fort De Soto Park consists of five contiguous islands south of St. Petersburg, covering more than 1,100 acres of land, and has a designated dog park on the beach, as well as two fenced areas near the sand for small and large dogs (water stations included!).
Located right next to Peter O Knight Airport, Davis Islands Dog Beach is one of the last puppy-friendly beaches in Tampa. Expect a fenced dog park where Fido can play on leash, as well as a dedicated sand area.
Dogs are open from dawn to dusk to roam freely at Bonita Dog Beach in Bonita Springs. There are even dog shower stations, perfect for washing Fido’s sand off before heading home.
Head to Key West and find a secluded stretch of sand reserved only for dogs and their owners. In the shade of palm trees, newborns can play in the water and sand provided they are supervised.
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Dogs and humans can sunbathe on Bark Beach at Spanish River Park in Boca Raton. Best of all, puppies can be leashed at all times.
Just outside of Tampa, Honeymoon Island State Park has more than four miles of beach and three miles of trails. At the southern tip of the park there are also beaches and animal trails. Please note, dogs must always be kept on a hand leash.
Spend the day with your four-legged friend at Smyrna Dunes Park in New Smyrna Beach, where pets are allowed on the beach, although they must be leashed at all times.
One block north of Sunny Isles, cozy up with your pup at Haulover Beach Park with a chair, cooler, and stylish umbrella. Dogs are welcome to stay in the sun, on the sand and in the water provided they are supervised by the owner.
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Clarissa Buch Zilberman is a writer and editor based in Miami. Focusing on food, lifestyle and travel, his work has appeared in Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, Bon Appétit and… The beaches of Southwest Florida are some of the most beautiful in the country. However, if you’re traveling with pets, you may be wondering where you and your dog can enjoy the beach together. If you’re looking for a great place to surf with your dog, check out one of our picks for the best dog-friendly beaches in Southwest Florida.
Most dog-friendly beaches in Southwest Florida require your dog to be on a leash, with the exception of Bonita Beach Dog Park. It is important that you research the specific requirements for taking your dog to the beach at any of the beaches you visit. Preparation is also important, bring everything necessary for the dog with you. The most important thing is that you are looking for the dog. Taking care of the beaches will ensure they remain dog-friendly. Here are some great tips for taking your dog to the beach.
Located on a strip of beach at the edge of Lover’s Key State Park in Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Beach Dog Park is an off-leash beach park. Here the dogs roam freely and play with each other. Walks are so much fun for pets and their owners. There’s even a doggy shower station to rinse the sand off your straw before you head out! Please note that this dog beach is subject to ebbs and flows. Depending on the time and day, you may need to wade through the water during high tide.
Gulfside Beach on Sanibel Island is another great southwest Florida beach for dog owners. Dogs are allowed here provided they are on a leash. Algiers Beach is also a great place to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. This beach is home to a variety of nesting shorebirds and sea turtles throughout most of the year.
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Causeway Beach is located along the Sanibel Causeway and is perfect for taking your dog as long as you keep them on a leash. We love that the water is very shallow and there are virtually no waves, so it’s perfect for your dog to splash around in. Parking is free and in most areas you can park your car right on the water, which is very convenient because you don’t need to bring all your beach gear. Picnic tables and grills are also available.
Dogs are allowed on all public beaches in Fort Myers Beach as long as they are on a leash. However, dogs are not allowed on the private beach and some businesses on the beach do not allow dogs. Be sure to look for certain signs.
If you’re going to the beach with your dog, these simple tips for going to the beach with your dog might help!
Located on the southern tip of Sanibel Island, Sanibel Lighthouse Beach is one of my favorite beaches. I love the picturesque lighthouse and we usually see dolphins during our visit. Sanibel Lighthouse Beach is dog friendly and you can bring your furry pups as long as they are on a leash longer than 6 feet. There are also several trails on the beach that are perfect for a nature walk with your dog or just walking your dog around the historic lighthouse.
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Parking costs $5 per hour and there are restrooms and outdoor showers on the beach. There is also a fishing pier and numerous picnic tables.
For more ideas for fun outdoor activities in Southwest Florida, check out our other articles here.
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Paula is a freelance writer, translator and marketer. She began her writing and editing career as editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala. She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www. and writes articles in Spanish and English for magazines and the web on topics ranging from travel and food to parenting and bilingualism. She loves traveling, good food and is always looking for new things to do in Southwest Florida. Florida is known for its beaches – and that’s a double-edged sword. Sure, the waves and sand are spectacular, but they can also get very crowded. If you’re looking for a beautiful coastline with a more relaxed vibe, check out these great dog-friendly beaches in the Florida Panhandle!
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A trip to Florida means spending time at the beach, and there’s nothing better than finding a beach town that you and your dog can enjoy together. With 825 miles of coastline in the state, you’d think there would be something for everyone!
So where to go for quiet dog-friendly beaches? We recommend the Florida Panhandle. More specifically, it’s the stretch of coastline from Mexico Beach to St. Marks, affectionately known as “the Forgotten Coast.”
In this relatively quiet, undeveloped area of the Florida Panhandle, you’ll find a laid-back attitude, friendly locals, beautiful white sand beaches, Caribbean blue water, and plenty of places where your pup can splash in the waves. You!
Start your visit by finding land at the Port St. Joe Visitor Center. The staff is more than willing to help you. But they were really happy to see our dogs and invited them directly!
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Town of Port St. Joe is not too big and walking to local sights can be done in a few hours. We started with the BayWalk, a gravel path that leads from Frank Pate Park to the harbor with spectacular views of St. John’s Bay. Joseph. The trails take you directly to the historic Cape San Blas Lighthouse, built 130 years ago and moved here in 2014.
One thing Port St. You won’t find Joe, there are a bunch of hotels overlooking the beach. There are several pet-friendly accommodation options, but most people choose vacation rentals for their stay.
Just nine miles south of downtown Port St. Joe, Salinas Park is the perfect location
