You and your puppy will be shaded with our handy guide to dog-friendly beaches in Miami
If you’re traveling to Miami with your dog, your friend has more to do than relax in the hotel room with the air conditioning system. Miami is home to a handful of dog beaches where you can run in the sand, splash in the waves, and wallow in the green grass of waterfront dog parks. It’s important to note that most Miami beaches prohibit dogs, so this helpful dog beach guide will allow you and your dog to soak up the sun without stress. Just remember to bring water, pick up your pet, and make sure it doesn’t overheat in the warm Miami sun.
Haulover Beach Park
Head to Haulover Beach Park where you’ll find a small dog park, a large dog park and a barking beach located directly on the sand. Dog parks feature enclosed areas with shade trees, picnic tables, benches, drinking fountains, trash bags, and waste bins for a pleasant afternoon running off-leash. On the beach, near lifeguard tower 3, dogs are allowed from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It’s an incredibly fun experience to watch your dog wallow in the sand, play with other dogs and test their limits in the surf. There is a parking entrance fee of $2 per vehicle and then you can enjoy the park’s dog-friendly facilities throughout the afternoon.
Bark Beach at North Shore Open Space Park
North Shore Open Space Park in North Beach between 79th and 87th Streets is where you’ll find another dog park with a dog-friendly stretch of beach. Here, you can enjoy the beautiful green space with jogging trails, benches, shady palm trees, and picnic pavilions. The entire park is dog-friendly with leashed dogs and there are also two dog tracks enclosed with trash bags and receptacles where you can take your dog off the leash.
On 81st Street, the beach becomes dog-friendly Friday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There is a $25 entrance fee for non-residents and a $5 fee for residents of Miami Beach that is obtained when entering. For those planning to frequent the bark beach, annual passes are available for $50 for residents and $200 for non-residents.
Hobie Island Beach Park
Directly off the Rickenbacker Causeway in the direction of Key Biscayne, you’ll find Hobie Island Beach Park . This is a popular beach for windsurfing, kayaking, and paddle surfing with incredible views of the downtown Miami skyline. It is also a completely dog-friendly beach with no entrance fee. Play an exciting game of fetch and let your four-legged friend socialize with the other dogs on the surf.
Beach Walk
While South Beach prohibits dogs, the paved promenade that runs parallel to the ocean is the perfect place to take your puppy for a walk on the leash. Start at 23rd Street and head south, taking the iconic Art Deco architecture to Lummus Park and Ocean Drive. It’s a great way to get the peace of the land, enjoy the ocean breeze, and have a great time with your dog in Miami.
South Pointe Park
At the southern end of South Beach, South Pointe Park is a beautifully designed park with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Government Cut and the downtown skyline. You’ll find playgrounds and walking trails that wind along the coast and take you to a grassy area where dogs can leave on a leash at sunset from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. It’s a lovely place to relax for the day, let your puppy get some exercise and enjoy the Miami sky as it changes color and fades into the night.