Best dog-friendly beaches in Florida + nearby groomers
Florida has more dog-friendly beaches than any state east of California. After a beach day, your dog needs prompt rinsing and ideally a bath within 24 hours. Here are the top dog beaches and nearby groomers.
Fort De Soto Dog Beach (Pinellas County). Dedicated dog beach with separate fenced area. Free outdoor showers. Plenty of mobile groomers in nearby St. Petersburg and Tierra Verde available for same-day cleanup.
Honeymoon Island (Pinellas County). Off-leash beach in the southern section. Fresh water rinse stations at the entrance. Dunedin and Palm Harbor both have well-regarded grooming salons.
Jupiter Beach (Palm Beach County). Iconic dog-friendly stretch — 2.5 miles of off-leash beach. After-beach grooming options in Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens are plentiful.
Smyrna Dunes Park (New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County). Large off-leash area. Outdoor showers. New Smyrna Beach has multiple groomers and mobile services.
Walton Rocks Beach (St. Lucie County). Off-leash dog beach. After-beach groomers in Port St. Lucie.
Higgs Beach (Key West). Dog-friendly stretch. Mobile grooming dominates the Keys; standard salons are few.
Always rinse with fresh water before leaving. Salt left on skin and fur for hours dries out coats and causes irritation.