How to find a dog beach near you

Is there a dog beach near me? If you have a dog who loves the beach this is a question you will have asked yourself. Dogs love the beach, from digging in the sand to swimming in the ocean, the sights and smells of the beach just do it for our four-legged friends. But there are some considerations and tips involved in having a happy beach visit for both you and your pup. 

Dog-Friendly Beach Area Rules

It’s important you practice good petiquette while you’re visiting a dog-friendly beach area. Here’s what we recommend during your visit: 

Keep them on-leash 

Allowing your dog to wander free on the beach can be dangerous to them and to other dogs. If the beach you’re on specifies that you must leave your dog on-leash at all times, then respect this. This way, you make sure that your furry friend is under control at all times and will avoid any fights with other dogs. 

Pick up after your dog 

It goes without saying that you should always pick up after your dog at the beach. Pick up and dispose of all dog waste in appropriate public access waste facilities or take your dog waste with you for disposal.

Supervise 

If your dog is off-leash make sure you supervise them at all times as they play with the other dogs on the sand and in the water. If things start to get a little heated between another dog or dogs, remove your pup from the action quickly to prevent a situation from escalating. 

Tips for Caring for your Dog at the Beach

Be prepared

To make sure your dog is well taken care of during your beach visit, pack everything they need (and a few extras) to make sure they have the best time possible. 

Remember to pack: 

• plenty of water
• a reusable water bowl
• doggy poo bags 
• water safety equipment, such as a life vest 
• a first aid kit
• waterproof leash and collar
• floating dog toys/balls that can be seen on the top of the water
  

Rinse off 

When you’re done at the beach, remember to rinse off your dog with water if there’s a convenient shower by the beach, or if not, do it yourself with some water. This removes sand and salt from your dog’s skin, keeping them comfortable.

Stay aware of beach hazards

While the beach is mostly all fun and games, there are a few hazards you need to be aware of for your pooches benefit: 

Keep cool

During the hottest part of the year, remember you must always protect your pup from heatstroke. Allow your dog to have plenty of breaks in the shade, make sure they're staying hydrated by providing fresh water at all times, and avoid visiting the beach during the hottest part of the day (typically between noon-3pm).

Broken glass or sharp objects

The beach can be rife with sharp objects like broken glass and sharp shells that can be hidden in the sand. As we detailed above, keeping a first aid kit with you is a must because it makes sure you’re prepared for if your dog gets cut. 

Sand

Eating and swallowing sand can actually cause stomach problems for your dog, and in some instances can cause a blockage. This is especially true for short-nosed dog breeds who inhale sand quickly.

Top tip: Take toys with you that pick up less sand such as a Frisbee rather than a tennis ball.

Why should you take your dog to the beach?

Dogs like to visit the beach just as much as we do, and as a dog owner, it’s so much fun to watch your pup revel in the sand and splash around in the water. Here are some fun activities for you and your dog to do together while you’re there:

Frisbee

Select an area where there aren’t too many people/dogs and throw your frisbee a foot away in the dog's direction and watch your dog delight in retrieving it (or not as the case may be).  

Walk/run along the beach 

Walking on the beach is a great way to mix up your daily walks. Your dog will meet new people, other dogs, seagulls and lots of other interesting beach creatures as well as get to experience lots of water and sand.

Build a sand castle 

Ok, so this one’s more for you than your dog. You can build a sand castle while your pup mischievously runs around with the plastic shovel or even the bucket. At the end they can join in the fun by tearing the sandcastle down. 

Go paddling 

Once you're ready to swim, wade into the water with your dog close by. If you’re new to swimming with your dog, stay as close to the shore as possible and keep a close eye on your dog. Wade out as far as you feel comfortable and avoid going too far into deep water.  

Best dog friendly beaches in Europe

To the rock pools of Pembrokeshire and the golden sands of Normandy to the calm waters of La Maza beach in Cantabria, we run you through the top 5 dog-friendly beaches in the UK, France and Spain:

Top 5 best dog friendly beaches in the UK

1. Embleton Bay, Northumberland 

The coastline at Embleton Bay in Northumberland has a rugged feel with an adventurous vibe for your dog. As an extra bonus, the nearby fishing village of Craster is super dog-friendly too. 

2. Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire 

Situated on Wales' south-western rim, Marloes Sands is a breathtaking beach with plenty of rock pools and a tidal Island that you and your dog will love to explore. 

3. Seacliff Beach, East Lothian 

Seacliff Beach is a dog-friendly haven with rock pools and plenty of sandy shores for your dog to run along. For you, there’s atmospheric views of the 14th-century Tantallon Castle overhead. 

4. Fistral Beach, Cornwall 

A year-round, dog-friendly beach, Newquay's Fistral Beach is a beautiful expanse of sand surrounded by rolling sand dunes that you and your furry friend will love. 

5. Holkham Beach, Norfolk 

To really give your dog a good run, Holkham Beach is perfect. There’s over 4 miles of beach to discover and at low tide the beach stretches out over a mile from the entrance to the sea making for a great walk. 

Top 5 best dog friendly beaches in France

1. Aval Beach, Calais

At low tide, Aval beach in Wissant offers loads of space to walk with your dog. It’s a very windy beach so it’s unsuitable for swimming a lot of the time so something to bear in mind if you love to swim with your pup. 

2. Le Touquet, Plages des Dunes

Plage des Dunes is a wild beach with a dune area where your furry friend can run free. As long as your dog is under your supervision, they can roam wherever they like.

3. Site de la Lanterne, Nice 

Site De La Lanterne is the only dog-friendly beach in Nice and is a must-visit if your dog loves to wander around off-leash. 

4. La Davière Beach, Vendée

One of the few if the only dog-friendly beaches in Vendée, on La Davière Beach you can walk miles with your dog on the leash. Off the beach, you can stroll through the town’s forest, which covers a whopping 25km.

5. Cricquebœuf beach, Normandy

Cricquebœuf beach is a locally kept secret in Normandy. It’s miles of coastline is ideal if you’re looking for a relaxing walk. Go during low tide when it has a pebbly stretch with a sandy part, too. 

Top 5 best dog friendly beaches in Spain

1. Rubina Beach in Castelló d'Empúries, Catalonia

Playa de la Rubina was the first official dog beach in Spain. It has a 200-metre stretch of beach that your pup can run loose on and play with other dogs.

2. La Maza Beach in San Vicente de la Barquera, Cantabria

A favourite of dog owners in Spain, La Maza is just 150 metres long, but the golden sand and calm waters are great for your furry friend and you to walk along.

3. O Espiño Beach in O Grove, Galicia

This quaint beach is just 75 metres long which makes it a fantastic space for dogs to enjoy. The waves are small too so if your pup is a bit nervous of the water it's ideal for helping them get accustomed slowly. 

4. Cobaticas Beach in Mazarrón, Murcia

With stunning views, this beach in Murcia is a quiet option that you and your dog can enjoy with lots of free space for them to run around. 

5. Agua Amarga beach, Alicante

One of the friendliest dog-friendly beaches around, Agua Amarga beach has around two hundred and fifty metres of coastline to explore. There are even special parasols for dogs! 

Best dog friendly beaches in the USA

From dog friendly beaches in Florida to wide sandy shoes in Maine, here’s our picks for the best dog friendly beaches in the USA: 

Top 5 best dog friendly beaches in the East Coast. 

1. Haulover Beach Park, Miami 

Haulover Beach Park is a pristine stretch of sand where you and your best furpal can join the droves of beach-loving pups for off-leash fun between towers #2 and #3 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day of the week. If you're looking for more dog-friendly fun in Florida, check out our post on dog parks in Miami.

2. Jupiter Beach, Florida 

Dog friendly beaches in Florida don’t get much better than Jupiter Beach where dogs are allowed to roam off leash over more than 2 miles of golden sand. The best time to visit is during the annual Hang 20 Surf Dog Classic where there’s lots of fun activities going on. 

3. Bay View Beach, Maine 

The fine white sands and gently sloping shoreline make Bay View Beach in Saco Maine the ideal place for your dog to have a dip. 

4. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

This is a picturesque sandy beach with views of the Atlantic on one side and the huge SkyWheel on the other. Dogs can go on the nearby Barc Parc South and Barc Parc North. 

5. Jekyll Island, Georgia 

Jekyll Island in Georgia is home to a couple of beaches for your pup to explore. Each one offers a unique experience for your dog to explore. 

Top 5 best dog friendly beaches in the West Coast 

From dog friendly beaches in California to sandy spots in San Diego, here’s our selection of the top 5 best dog friendly beaches in the West Coast: 

1. Huntington Beach, CA

At Huntington Dog Beach, dogs can run leash free over 1.5 miles of soft sand. The popular spot attracts around 5,000 people (and nearly as many dogs) on most weekends.

2. Rosie’s Dog Beach, CA

Rosie’s Dog Beach is just 20 minutes from Huntington Dog Beach, so it’s possible to visit both popular locations in one day. Rosie’s is the only legal off-leash dog beach and it still regularly hosts Bulldog events, in memory of its founding pup. 

3. Cannon Beach, OR

A peaceful beach, Cannon Beach in Oregon has lots of Driftwood scattered around for your dog to use in a fun agility course as she/he runs off leash.

4. Coronado, CA 

Dog friendly beaches in California don’t get much prettier than the long, flat stretch of fine golden sand at Coronado’s dog beach. There’s lots of dog-friendly facilities too like the hose and wash station.

5. Original Dog Beach, San Diego 

You don’t get better for dog friendly beaches in San Diego than ‘The Original Dog Beach’. Pups and their humans have roamed the mile-long beach freely since Lassie's Rescue Rangers debuted in 1972.

So, to answer your question, where is there a dog beach near me? There’s plenty! You just have to look, be responsible for your beloved pup while you’re there (we know you will) and enjoy the sights and sounds of a beachy paradise. 

Know a great beach spot to recommend? Connect with fellow pet-lovers on TrustedHousesitters Community Forum — the perfect place to share advice, find support, and discuss all things house sitting, pets, travel, and more.