Dog-Friendly Beaches

St. Pete/Clearwater's most beautiful beaches let you and your dog run on the sand and romp in the water together.

An couple in their 50s walk along the Fort De Soto shoreline with their dog

You and your dog will love a trip to Fort De Soto Park.

Don't leave your beloved k-9 companion when you vacation in St. Pete/Clearwater beaches. Two award-winning beaches are also home to some of the best dog beaches around. Here, you and your four-legged friends can enjoy the sand, the surf and the bark.

A man runs along the shallow waters of the Gulf with his Dog

Have fun with your puppy companion on a pet-friendly St. Pete/Clearwater beach.

Fort De Soto Park

Opportunities for four-legged adventure and fun abound at Fort De Soto.

Fort De Soto is a 1,136-acre county park that was named one of Petside.com's Top 10 Dog-Friendly beaches and one of the South's Best Dog Parks by Southern Living magazine. Dogs are allowed anywhere in the park on a six-foot leash, just not on the main beaches. That's because they have their own beach, in a fenced in Paw Playground that's divided into separate sections for small and large dogs. Here your furry friends can run off leash in the warm Florida sun or go for a splash in the Gulf of Mexico. There are even amenities like cooling stations with showers and dog-level water fountains to keep your pet comfortable.

You'll find the playground just before you reach the turnoff for the fort. Paw Playground is open daily from 7 am to sundown, 365 days a year, unless otherwise posted. Parking is in the Bay Pier parking lot.

Human amenities at Fort De Soto include camping, nature trails, concessions, lifeguards, picnic areas, playgrounds, bathhouses, restrooms, showers and wheelchair access.

A man and his two dogs greet another dog at Honeymoon Island

Honeymoon Island State Park near Dunedin has a dog beach that is perfect for friendly puppies!

Honeymoon Island State Park

A natural barrier island, Honeymoon Island State Park boasts four miles of sandy beaches, miles of nature trails, wildlife, a nature center, concessions and abundant parking.

Head for Honeymoon Island's dog beach to spend time in the water with Fido or take a walk along the shore. Just be sure to keep your pet on a six-foot handheld leash. Both you and your pet will enjoy the crystal-clear, shallow water, which is the perfect depth for dogs to wade through comfortably and cool off. Leashed dogs are also allowed on the nature trail.

The dog beach is located at the southernmost tip of Honeymoon Island, which gives you and your dog plenty of room to roam and a beautiful view of award-winning Caladesi Island and the Gulf. Parking is about 500 yards away. Honeymoon Island and its dog park are open from 8 am to sundown, 365 days a year. Human amenities include bathhouses, concessions, nature trails, picnic areas, a playground, restrooms, showers and wheelchair access.