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13 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in Florida (Where They Can Actually Run Off-Leash)

By Molly Burford Parade Pets

Updated May 19, 2026 10:00 PM

arena photography — meaghanbrowning / Getty Images

From the warm sunshine on your back and the wind playing with your hair to the sound of the ocean waves crashing on the shore and a welcome seaside breeze, there really is nothing like a day spent at the beach, is there? And if you live in Florida, you understand this fact more than most people. In fact, Florida is home to 825 miles of sandy beaches that are just begging to be enjoyed.

Of course, if you're a dog parent, you also want your fur baby to experience the joy of being by the water too, but not all beaches are dog-friendly or the appropriate place to bring your doggie. This is why it is very important to know ahead of your visit which beaches are safe and fun for your pup to join in on the fun. To make it easier, we've compiled our top picks for the best dog-friendly beaches in Florida. These beaches are the ones where your pup can actually run off-leash and enjoy their beach day to the absolute fullest.

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To determine our picks, we consulted BringFido for ratings and reviews of dog-friendly beaches in Florida, specifically ones that allow dogs to roam and romp off of their leash. And so, without further ado, here are the 13 best dog-friendly, off-leash beaches in Florida.

How to Know If a Beach Is Dog-Friendly

A beach's rules are most often set by the local city, county or state, so confirming with the local Parks and Recreation department of the beach you want to go to is a good way to figure out if a beach is truly dog-friendly. You can visit your local Parks and Recreation department's website or contact them by phone. You can also look for signage in the area or consult pet directories such as BringFido.

Best Off-Leash Beaches in Florida

Here are 13 dog-friendly beaches in Florida where your pup can live their best off-leash oceanside life and have some fun in the sun.

1. Jupiter Dog Beach

Since 1989, Jupiter Beach has been a dog-friendly beach destination. Located at 48 Ocean Blvd, Jupiter, FL, US, 33477, Jupiter Beach is one of the best off-leash beaches for dogs in the state of Florida. A 2.5-mile stretch of the beach is defined as dog-friendly, located from beach mark #26 at Marcinski Road going north to beach marker #57 at the Carlin Park property line.

Paw parents love this dog-friendly beach, earning the beach five bones on BringFido.

"Literally the most fun we have ever had at a beach!!!" raved one dog parent on BringFido.com. "It's an off leash dog beach and everyone is so incredibly friendly and you can tell they are there for their dogs, not the dog just joining in on the humans beach trip. It was great. So fun! 10/10 recommend!!!!"

2. Walton Rocks Dog Beach

Next up is Walton Rocks Dog Beach. Rated 4.5 bones on BringFido.com, Walton Rocks Dog Beach offers 24 acres of dog-friendly fun. Located in Jensen Beach, Florida, this dog-friendly beach allows pups to roam off-leash and enjoy the sunshine. For the humans, there are covered picnic tables and restrooms.

3. Brohard Paw Park

Brohard Paw Park, which is located at 1850 Harbor Dr S, Venice, FL, US, 34285, is rated 4.5 bones on BringFido. Dogs of all sizes are able to play off-leash at this beach.

"This dog beach is amazing!" said one pup parent in a review on BringFido.com. "So many wonderful friendly dogs just having the time of their life. This is dog heaven! Our Truman is a small dog but holds his own running and playing with the big dogs. I recommend bringing and umbrella or canopy for shade when your pup needs to rest. This is a MUST destination for your beach lovin pup!"

4. Bonita Beach Dog Park

Bonita Beach Dog Park earned 4.1 bones on BringFido. Located at 8800 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL, US, 33931, this beach gives your pup the opportunity to play in the shallow waters in the Gulf of Mexico.

5. Performance Pups Freshwater Dog Beach

Rated 4.5 bones on BringFido is Performance Pups Freshwater Dog Beach. Located at 590 Anglers Ave, Dania Beach, FL, US, 33004, this dog beach should get bragging rights, as it has the cleanest freshwater dog lake in Broward County. This pet-friendly beach has a fenced-in area where doggies can run around and play off-leash. Do note though that swimming is not allowed by humans at this park. While you can walk or wade in the water, the city ordinance forbids swimming for humans.

6. Main Beach Park

Main Beach Park is located at 32 N Fletcher Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL, US, 32034, and it has 4.5 bones on BringFido.com. This beachfront park allows dogs to play off-leash, and dog parents love this dog-friendly beach.

"Easy access and great location! Enjoyed a great day with our girls!" said one dog parent in a five-bone review on BringFido.com.

7. Haulover Park

Haulover Park is another great dog-friendly beach. Rated 4.4 bones on BringFido.com, this beach features a bark park that's located near the south picnic area. It has a fenced section for dogs under 35 pounds and one for larger breeds too. There are also other amenities, including shade trees, picnic tables, drinking fountains and doggie waste stations.

There is an off-leash area of the beach located between lifeguard tower #2 and #3 only. You can access the off-leash dog portion of the beach through parking lots #3 and #4. Outside of this designated area, dogs must be leashed.

Haulover Park is located at 10800 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL, US, 33154.

8. Dog Park Beach at Fort de Soto Park

Dog Park Beach at Fort de Soto Park earned itself 4.4 bones on BringFido.com. An off-leash destination, this dog park beach gives your canine companion plenty of room to explore, play and swim. It's located at 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL, US, 33715.

9. Dog Beach of Hollywood

Dog Beach of Hollywood is located at 4999 N Surf Rd, Hollywood, FL, US, 33019. Rated 3.9 bones on BringFido.com, Dog Beach of Hollywood offers daily passes and six-month passes. This dog beach is monitored by a park ranger, but well-behaved dogs (and dog parents) are expected. Outside of the dog-friendly portion of this beach, dogs are not permitted.

10. Picnic Island Park Dog Beach

Picnic Island Park Dog Beach is rated 3.5 bones on BringFido.com. Located at 7409 Picnic Island Blvd, Tampa, FL, US, 33616, this dog-friendly beach offers free parking, a fenced-in area and plenty of room for dogs to play. While there were some reports of rocky shorelines, issues with cleanliness on occasion and some challenging dog interactions, most dog parents and their fur children enjoyed their visit to this beach.

11. Dog Beach at Davis Islands

Dog Beach at Davis Islands is located at 864 Severn Ave, Tampa, FL, US, 33606. It has 4.3 bones on BringFido.com. There is a designated fenced-in area where dogs are welcome to play off-leash. This section is located across the parking lot from the dog park. However, outside of this area, dogs must remain on a leash.

"Our dogs had a blast sniffing, visiting, and enjoying freedom off-leash. Our retriever loved chasing her ball into the water," said one happy dog parent in a review on BringFido.com.

12. Hobie Island Beach Park

Hobie Island Beach Park is located at Old Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, FL, US, 33149 and has 3.5 bones on BringFido.com. Soft sand and clear waters make this a fave spot for dog parents and pups alike.

"We are always looking for fun adventures with our dogs, and Hobie Beach is one of our favorites!" said one happy pup parent in a review on BringFido.com. "It's wide open with plenty of space even when it's the busiest of days, especially when it's low tide. The sand is super white amd there are often small shallow natural pools that our mini dachshunds love to swim in (they are very skeptical of the ocean lol). Highly recommend Hobie Beach!"

13. Perdido Key River Road Park

Last but not least is Perdido Key River Road Park. Located at 14484 River Rd, Pensacola, FL, US, 32507, this dog-friendly beach allows off-leash roaming in separate, completely enclosed areas for large and small dogs. Do note that no fresh water is around, so be sure to bring some along for your pup. This beach is rated 3.9 bones on BringFido.com.

How to Keep My Dog Safe at the Beach

Keeping your dog safe at the beach should be your top priority, and there are plenty of ways to ensure your pup has a safe and fun time down by the water. Some tips from Jupiter Beach include:

Have plenty of fresh water at the ready. Also, be sure to not let your dog drink the ocean water.
Apply sunscreen.Just like us, doggies can get sunburned, especially those with short fur, white fur and pink skin. Aim to apply sunscreen to your pup's ears and nose 30 minutes before going outdoors.
Keep an eye on your doggie. Probably the most important thing is to keep your eye on your pup to make sure they're safe. Intervene if any interactions with other dogs go south, and make sure they're hydrated and happy. Otherwise, enjoy your day at the beach!

With these 13 dog-friendly off-leash beaches in Florida to choose from and tips for making the most of your day, you'll no doubt find a sandy spot for you and your pup to enjoy.

This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 9:17 PM.