Whether you’re visiting Tampa or a seasoned local, beaches are a top destination for weekend trips. But what about dog friendly beaches? Sometimes there’s not much online information about dog friendly beaches or the park rules are not clear. No worries! We’ve done our research and have provided our top picks for dog friendly beaches in Tampa. Check out the many options and the different amenities each has to offer!
Davis Island Dog Beach
Our favorite dog friendly beach in Tampa is Davis Island Dog Beach. Dogs and dog-parents both love this spot! Cooled by the Davis Island breezes, this is a great beach to visit any time of the year. There’s a full sand beach, green grass area, and two fenced off areas to make sure your dog doesn’t run off.
Since this is a super popular spot, dogs always find another dog to play with! We recommend coming here for a weekend trip and chatting with other dog owners while the dogs play.
Picnic Island Beach Dog Park
Picnic Island Beach Dog Park is a beautiful park perfect for dogs. This calm park is peaceful for both owners and dogs. We love this spot for their winding mangrove trees that line the shore. They offer shade and also more privacy if you don’t want your dog to be around other dogs.
We recommend coming out for a family picnic. If you bring your kids, there is also a a great playground to enjoy. Looking to arrive by water? There’s also a boat ramp and pier right by the dog park.
Pass A Grille Dog Beach
Pass-A-Grille Dog beach features gorgeous bright blue teal water. With blue skies, clear water, and soft sand, this beach is a great pick for your pup.
The dog beach is not located in the main area of Pass-A-Grille beach. The dog area is located at the end of the pier. This is a great place to get some quick quality time with your dog. There are also some awesome cafes and restaurants nearby if you want to make a day of it.
Fort De Soto Park Dog Beach and Park
Fort De Soto is a well-known dog park, super popular with the locals. This is the only dog-friendly area in Fort De Soto beach, so all dog owners should keep this area in mind. Dogs are allowed anywhere in the park on a six-foot leash, just not on the main beach.
At this huge beach park, there’s a lot of awesome features that Fort De Soto park offers. If you’re worried about your small dog being around large dogs, there’s a separate section for larger dogs and another for smaller dogs! Drinking water is also available for those hot summer days. Not to mention, there’s great parking available, which is important for any Tampa beaches.
Honeymoon Island State Park
Honeymoon Island is a serene and gorgeous beach. The dog-friendly area is located at the southernmost tip of Honeymoon Island. There is a $8 fee that helps support upkeep of the area. The fee is completely worth it, especially if you want more private area for your dog. Since there is a fee, this park does not get as busy as other dog parks in the area!
Palma Sola Causeway
Palma Sola Causeway Park is dog-friendly and perfect for a quiet day with the family or for a beach date. We recommend this park for when you want some peace away from the city. The park comes complete with a dock, grills, and large picnic tables with shelters.
Not only is it dog-friendly but people also bring their own horses to the park! We do recommend to keep your dog near you while on the beach, as it is close to the very busy Causeway Blvd.
De Soto Memorial Park
This historical park is a beautiful spot to enjoy with your pup, especially at sunset. This is another dog park beach that has a small sand area and is surrounded by mangrove trees. The trees offer shade and a lot of privacy if you’re looking to avoid other dogs.
We recommend visiting this park for a romantic picnic during golden hour. Definitely bring some food no matter the occasion, as there aren’t many nearby areas to grab some food.
Sunset Beach Dog Park
Sunset Beach Dog Park is a secret dog park located on the inter-coastal, southern point of Treasure Island. This park features some crystal clear teal water. Since this park is not frequently visited, it tends to be super clean! The park is a long stretch of beach, which is great for dogs that love to run. This park is a top recommendation, whether you want to arrive by boat or by walking.
Dog Friendly Beaches in Tampa Bay
Locally curated guides
Here are some awesome guides, from us to you.
Kirsten Nye
Todd Grasley
Selena Perez
Madison Skipper