For any dog owner, perfect trips to the beach will include a round of fetch with Fido. But what about a day at the beach? We've rounded up the best dog-friendly beaches in Miami for a fun day out with your canine companion so that your search for “beach for dogs” in Miami is over. 

These are the best beaches for dogs in Miami:

This blog was last updated on April 12, 2023.

— Hobie Beach/Windsurfer Beach Causeway

South End (North Side of Rickenbacker Causeway)

Special Features: Windsurfing lessons and rentals

Visit pet-friendly Hobie Beach for a day of bonding with your canine bestie! This is Miami’s all-time favorite pet-friendly beach destination and the best beach for dogs in Miami both for big dogs and small dogs. Your furry friends are allowed any time, both on and off leash, as long as they are under voice command. Admire the Miami skyline, while your pup splashes around in shallow, calm waters. Take the opportunity to watch expert windsurfers practice their craft, as your doggo digs into the sand.

And, after a tiring run along the beach, you and your fuzzy best friend can simply rest under the shady palm trees. Dog-friendly Hobie Beach is an especially great pick for pet owners residing in the nearby Brickell and Key Biscayne neighborhoods, like the world renowned, pet friendly condos Brickell House, SLS Hotel & Residences, The Bond, Brickell Heights East Tower, and Oceana Key Biscayne.

— Bark Beach at North Shore Open Space Park

Collins Avenue between 80th and 81st Street, North Beach

Special Features: Bark Park on site

This is a very pet-friendly area of Miami Beach to the north of South Beach. Canines can enter here on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Go for a seaside run with your dog after work on a Friday, or bring along your canine companion when you go sunbathing over the weekend. After a few hours of sun, walk your fuzzy friend over to the dog-friendly Bark Park, which also offers doggie-bag dispensers. He or she will have a ball in the two dog-run areas. Later, the two of you can walk to one of several pet-friendly local restaurants with outdoor seating.

The North Shore Open Space Park is a convenient walk-in town for pet owners from the nearby pet-friendly condos in North Beach, including Carillon, Monaco Yacht Club and Residences, and the ultra-luxury and brand-new Eighty Seven Park. Additionally, this area has many great pet-friendly hotels if you are just looking to check out the area.

Photograph: Dog playing on beach

— Haulover Beach Park 

10800 Collins Avenue, Miami

Special Features: Clothing optional beach (section between lifeguard towers #12 and #16), kite shop, fishing areas, picnic tables, and barbecue grills available with reservation, events in The Bill Bird Marina multi-purpose room, bicycle rentals.

Though Haulover is more popular for its clothing-optional beach experience, dogs can roam another section of the shoreline where clothing is mandatory (for people, that is). 

From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors can bring their dogs to the pet-friendly area between lifeguard towers #2 and #3. Haulover also has a pet-friendly Bark Park with separate enclosures for small dogs and large dogs, where your canine pal can run around off the leash. The pet-friendly Bark Park also offers things like lots of drinking fountains and places to receive waste bag dispensers.

This pet-friendly shoreline is closer to the luxury, pet-friendly condos in the area, like Oceana Bal Harbour, One Bal Harbour, and the Ritz-Carlton Residences.

— Dog Beach of Hollywood

Between Pershing Street and Custer Street, Hollywood Beach

Let your dog run and swim free at this pet-friendly, off-leash beach. Hollywood residents and non-residents may buy passes every day or for six months, or visit on the weekends without a pass. You can check their website for more information.

Take your well-behaved pooch to this dog-friendly beach for a swim after work, or before you go out for the night. It’s the perfect place to make new friends, enjoy morning coffee, or just relax. 

Before you take your fuzzy pal beach-hopping to these beaches for dogs in Miami, follow these other tips so you and your pet can enhance your experience.

Photograph: Courtesy of Yelp/Kate M.

When you plan to pack food and water to last you through the day at these pet-friendly places, take into account to bring enough to care for your canine companion as well. Owners should keep an eye out to find shady spots on the beach, so dogs can take a break from running around in the hot sun. Lastly, carry enough bags to pick up your dog's business. Some pet-friendly beaches provide them, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.