Dog Friendly Beaches On The East Coast

For many families, taking their pets along on vacation is what makes the trip complete.  Whether you enjoy the coast of Maine or sunny sandy Florida, there are a variety of beaches that not only welcome your dogs, but encourage it.  Imagine the pictures you’ll be able to take home with you of your dogs and your children playing together in the sand, or a framed photo of your dog with a wave crashing as the backdrop…sounds like a good time doesn’t it?  Deciding where to book your next beach vacation just got easier with this list of dog friendly beaches along the east coast.  Many of the beautiful beaches allow dogs, but only during certain months and certain times of the day.  Here we will focus on the beaches that allow dogs on a regular basis, with or without a leash.

Maine
Bar Harbor: Hadley Point Beach allows dogs on the beach, but they are required to be on a leash.  This is a safety feature meant not only for your dog, but for the other people vacationing on the beach as well.

Sears Island, located in Searsport, Maine is another dog friendly beach that allows dogs on the beach at all times with no restrictions.  A recommendation though is to make sure you have a leash with you in case there are other dogs that he/she may not get along with.

Massachusetts
Green Harbor Beach, located in Marshfield in the Plymouth Area of Massachusetts allows dogs to visit and frolic on the beach all year round, but does require the dog be on a  leash.

Rexhame Beach, also located in Marshfield in the Plymouth Area allows dogs year round and also requires a leash.  Remember this is for their own safety.

Plymouth Beach also allows dogs to roam freely year round but a leash is required.

New Jersey
Malibu Beach, located on Bay Drive in Ocean City allows dogs on the beach year round, and they do not have to be on a leash.  Malibu beach is commonly known as “Dog Beach”, and for good reason.  Owners are expected to clean up after their dogs.

Rhode Island
Block Island has a variety of public beaches that allow dogs to visit year round.  Dogs are allowed to go unleashed on all beaches except on Crescent Beach, and you may bring your leashed dog on the Block Island Ferry, free of charge.

Maryland
Quiet Waters Dog Park and Dog Beach, located in Annapolis allows dogs on the beach and within fenced areas off leash, but must be on a leash at all times outside the fenced areas.

Elm’s Beach Park, located on the Chesapeake Bay, allows dogs on the beach, but they must be on a leash.

Downs Park Dog Beach, located in Pasadena is another beach in Maryland that allows dogs to roam leash free.

North Carolina
Emerald Isle allows dogs to be on the beach year round as long as they are leashed.

Town of Oak Island also allows dogs on the beach year round and requires them to be on a leash.

Town of Duck has been named a dog-friendly beach town.  Dogs are allowed on the beaches year round and may run freely on the town’s beaches while under the control of the owner.

Town of Nags Head allows dogs on a leash no longer than 10 feet to be on the beach year round.

Town of North Topsail Beach allows dogs, but they must be on a leash and under the control of the owner at all times.  While being walked or exercised off the premises or property of the owner or custodian, the dog must be restrained by a leash no longer than 25 feet in length (retractable).  Dogs can be taken off leash when they are fetching and running in the water, but dog owners must have complete control over the animal at all times.

Town of Surf City allows dogs on a leash no longer than 10 feet on the beach year round.

South Carolina
Edisto Beach State Park allows dogs on a leash no longer than 6 feet on the beach.  State law requires that dogs be on a leash year round.

Harbor Island is a small resort island located 14 miles east of Beaufort, South Carolina.  Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach year round.

Isle of Palms allows leashed dogs on the beach year round.

Myrtle Beach Area/Murrells Inlet: Huntington Beach State Park allows dogs on a leash no longer than 6 feet on the beach.

Pawleys Island allow dogs on the beach as long as they are on a leash.

Florida
Atlantic Beach
Dogs on a leash no longer than 12 feet are allowed on the beach during the day and evening, year round.  Dogs must be on leash unless both adult and pet are in the water together.  If dog and owner are in the Atlantic Ocean together, the dog is allowed to swim unleashed and then immediately put back on the leash before returning to the beach.  This does not include walking the dog in the water.

Fort Pierce: Walton Rocks Beach
St. Lucie County’s only Dog Friendly Beach.  It’s located at 6501 A1A, is dog-friendly year round and dogs can be leashed or off-leash!