A Beach Bum’s Top Ten Dog Friendly Beaches in Florida

There are quite a few beaches in Florida that will permit you to take your four-legged beach bum along.  They may not always be the most pristine or top rated beaches in the state, but they are a place where you can frolic with your pup.  Park rangers suggest that those visiting beaches in the state clean up after their pets, so that this precarious freedom is not denied our four legged pals. If you are planning to visit any of the beaches listed here, we suggest you call ahead, as the regulations pertaining to dogs change as often as the stock market fluctuates.  Dogs may be welcome at a given time, and “No Pets Allowed” Signs become visible the next time you arrive to play on the beach.  Please remember to bring plenty of water for you dog and to prevent them from drinking salt water (or you will have a sick pooch on your hands).  

1.  Anne’s Beach
Lower Matecumbe Key
305-664-2345
Dogs are welcome on a small, attractive beach area in Lower Matecumbe Key, which is considered by many to be a one of the best beaches in the Florida Keys. There is a two mile beach with packed sand, as well as a wood pathway that lies on top of the wetlands.   Please note that dogs are not permitted on Anne’s Beach in Islamarada.  

2. Brohard Beach Park
1600 Harbor Drive S
Venice  941-861-9830
The “Paw Park” at Brohard Beach is considered by many dog owners to be one of the most fun places you can take your dog in Florida.  Dogs can run free on the beach, as long as they are within 100 feet of their owners (leash or voice command ok), and they do not interfere with digging near sea turtle nests (hey, you can’t have everything in life you want).  

3. Flagler Beach
Flager Beach FL
1-800-298-0995, Flager Beach Chamber of Commerce

Flagler Beach has been dubbed the “Peaceful Beach” by Florideans, and is a six mile stretch of sandy beach that runs along Highway A1A. Pets are allowed on the beach North of Tenth Street, and South of South Tenth Street.  All animals must be leashed, and there is a $500 fine if you fail to clean up after your dog.  This would qualify as potentially the most costly mess your dog could possibly make while visiting the state of Florida.

4. Honeymoon Island State Park
1 Causeway Blvd
Dundin FL 34698
727-469-5942
Honeymoon Island State Park sports a pet beach with one half mile of beachfront; all dogs must be on a leash. This is one of the few state parks in Florida that has a “legal” place for your dog to run on a beach. Additionally, the park sports more than 200 species of plants, and a variety of shore birds, including several endangered species.  There are hiking trails on the island where Fido can watch the birds.  

5.    Lee County Dog Beach
County Road 865 Between Bonita and Fort Myers Beach
The Dog Beach in Fort Myers is a small beach area that is the perfect spot to stop with your pooch.  A busy weekend means that Fido will have oodles of pups to play with, and all have the privilege of being off-leash.  Park officials offer a friendly reminder that off leash does not signify that out of control is ok, and they ask everyone to pick up after their dog.  

6.    Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge
Two miles south of SR 708 (Bridge Road) on US 1
Hobe Sound FL 33475
772-546-6141
This wildlife refuge includes over 700 acres on Jupiter Island.  The area includes one of the most active sea turtle nesting areas on the Florida east coast, and provides a habitat of 30 endangered species.  The area offers an abundance of hiking in wilderness areas.  This is a great spot if you don’t mind the lack of amenities (porto potties only on the Jupiter Island tract), and love being in an undeveloped, quiet area where the wildlife and scenery are the main attractions.  Leashed dogs are welcome in the refuge.

7.    Bowman’s Beach  
North on Sanibel Captiva Road to Bowman Beach Road
941-472-9075
Bowman’s Beach is considered by many to be one of Florida’s most beautiful beaches, and is one of the most remote beach areas on Sanibel Island.  Dogs must be on a leash, but this is but a small price to pay for access to such a beautiful spot, where you’ll see lots of birds, tropical plants and wetlands.  Sanibel Island is quite pet friendly, with pets (leashed) also permitted on Algiers Beach, Lighthouse Park Beach, and Tarpon Bay Road Beach.  

8.    Smyrna Dunes Park
North End of Peninsula Avenue
Smyrna Beach
386-424-2935
If you’re in the Daytona area and are seeking a lower-key alternative beach playground, check out Smyrna Dunes Park, to the south of its higher energy neighbor.  Dogs are welcome on a leash, although they will likely not be permitted to participate in some of the best surfing in the area.  There is a 1.5 mile boardwalk around the inlet, on immaculate dunes provide for some great scenery.  The boardwalk is noted to get extremely hot without a great deal of shade, so be sure to protect Fido from blistered paws both on the walkway and on the beach itself.  However, this is a lovely, vegetation rich area that your pooch is sure to enjoy. Dog lovers are cautioned that small sharks are known to inhabit areas close to the inlet.

9.    Huguenot Memorial Park
10980 Hecksher Drive
Jacksonville Florida 32226
904-251-3335
If you’re visiting the Jacksonville area, Fort George Island’s Huguenot Memorial Park may be just the ticket for a peaceful setting where Fido will be welcome.  This is a city run park that has a little bit of everything, including ocean, an inlet, and river.  It is a popular place on the weekends, and there is a less congested inlet side of the island.  There is great bird watching on the island, and your pooch is sure to enjoy the dunes with their rich vegetation.  

10.  Jupiter Beach
A1A at Xanadu Road
Jupiter, Florida
This is a two mile stretch of dog friendly beach that is noteworthy because of the efforts that have been made to keep it open to pets.  A group called The Friends of Jupiter Beach patrol the area and ask folks to carry a leash at all times, and to ensure that their dogs are not behaving aggressively or out of control. They have successfully helped to educate the public about the need to clean up after their dogs on the beachfront, and have financed cleanup bags and stations at no cost to the town.  Your dog should have a blast playing with the scores of other four-legged creatures.