7 Best St. Petersburg Dog Beaches + 4 Bonus Coastal Walks

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links and is a member of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, meaning when you make a purchase, I earn a small commission. Affiliate links cost you nothing to use, and help keep my content free. It’s a win-win for us both! For more info, see the Privacy Policy

Are St. Petersburg Beaches Dog Friendly?

During our month long stay in dog friendly St. Petersburg, we made it our mission to visit every single beach our terriers were allowed to visit in the area.

We explored, paddled, and played our way through sun-kissed sands and serene waters. Here’s the ultimate guide for the 7 dog friendly beaches in St. Pete.

Plus, I included 4 of our favorite water view walks where dogs are also welcome.
Big bonus, we saw a dolphin at one and a manatee at another.

So, are St. Petersburg Beaches Dog Friendly?

The answer to that is both yes and no. I’m spilling all the details so you and Fido can have a great time at the beach together. However, some of the most popular beaches do not allow dogs.

Is St Pete’s beach dog friendly?

Unfortunately, no. This is not one of the dog friendly beaches in the area. This is also not the kind of place where you should try to sneak one in. It is incredibly popular and busy even in winter. There are active patrol/security monitoring the area with frequency. Pick another beach to enjoy together.

Is Clearwater beach dog friendly?

Unfortunately, no. This award winning white sand beach does not allow dogs on the main beach area. However, leashed dogs are allowed on North Clearwater beach, so you don’t have to miss out completely.

7 Best St. Petersburg Dog Beaches

Even though the most popular beaches in the area don’t welcome dogs, there are 7 dog beaches that do. Some are on leash and others are off-leash, so check out which ones will work out the best for your entire family.

1. Fort De Soto Dog Beach

This off-leash beach is perfect for dogs who love to swim and fetch. With small waves and a spacious sandy area, it’s great for dogs to run and play. We visited with a young lab who loves swimming. She had a great time chasing balls in the water with some other doggie friends

Keep in mind, there’s no fence on the beach, so good recall is necessary. The adjacent fenced dog park offers a more contained area if needed.

It’s a popular place, so it might not be ideal for dogs that prefer a quieter environment or dogs who need to stay on leash. It’s very common for dogs to run up to newcomers to stay hello.

This beach is part of a larger county park known for its natural beauty and historical fort. There are tons of other activities in the park including camping, walking or biking on nature trails etc.

There are other beaches nearby that only allow people

• Best For: Swimming, chasing balls & sticks, socializing with other dogs
• Leash Required: No, in designated areas
• Parking: Paid, set fee per day
• Location: on an island in the Gulf of Mexico, about 30 minutes from downtown St. Petersburg.

2. Honeymoon Island Dog Beach

The area is rich in wildlife such as tortoises and seabirds, making it a scenic option for nature lovers. Our dogs love nature walks, so we enjoyed the scenic route.

• Best For: Scenic nature walks, shell hunting and photo opportunities
• Leash Required: Yes
• Parking: Paid, set fee per day paid at entrance
• Location: Situated on Honeymoon Island, a state park off the coast near Dunedin, about a 40-minute drive northwest of downtown St. Petersburg. It’s known for its natural landscapes and wildlife.

3. Clearwater North Beach

It’s still close enough to downtown Clearwater to make it convenient for grabbing a bite or enjoying a concert on the weekends.

• Best For: Leisure walks, beachcombing, jogging, sunsets
• Leash Required: Yes, in designated areas
• Parking: It depends on where you park. It’s at the edge of the downtown metered zone. It’s tricky to find parking in the nearby neighborhood. Parking can be challenging, so be prepared for a bit of a walk to get to the dog-friendly area.
• Location: Found just north of the popular Clearwater Beach, approximately a 40-minute drive northwest of downtown St. Petersburg. This area is recognized for its stunning white sand and is part of a broader beach community.

4. Gandy Beach

Gandy Beach is in the middle some mangroves, and is on the bay with still water. The beach is right off a main highway.

An uncrowded spot, ideal for dogs that need space. The beach isn’t pristine, with some debris and silty sand, but it’s free and close enough to town to pop over during a lunch break or after work. Low tide is the best time to visit otherwise there might not be enough beach to actually walk along.

I was excited to visit because I heard tales of dolphins and manatees, but we didn’t see any and it really didn’t look like the right environment for them, but maybe you will have better luck.

• Best For: Solitude, beach trips when you don’t have much time
• Leash Required: Yes according to the sign, but no other dogs were on leash
• Parking: Free
• Location: Near the Gandy Bridge that connects St. Petersburg to Tampa, this beach is about a 20-minute drive northeast of downtown St. Petersburg. It’s easily accessible from both cities.

5. Sunset Beach Park

A charming off-leash area in a neighborhood near Sunset Beach popular with vacationers.

The beach area is narrow and best visited during low tide otherwise there won’t actually be any beach to stand on. The waves are calm, so its a good spot for small or less confident swimmers to go.

The area can get busy and there isn’t much room, so off-peak hours are recommended.

• Best For: Off-leash swimming, pretty views
• Leash Required: No
• Parking: Paid nearby
• Location: Near the southern tip of Treasure Island, just a 20-minute drive west of downtown St. Petersburg.

6. Passe-a-grill Dog Beach

Some much larger people only beaches were nearby. Even though dogs weren’t allowed on the beach there, they could join their owners on restaurant patios which were basically toes in the sand joints. Picking one of these places to eat would give you access to incredible views just not the romps.

• Best For: Older/calm dogs, shell hunting
• Leash Required: No
• Parking: Paid nearby
• Location: At the southern end of St. Pete Beach, Passe-a-grill is roughly a 30-minute drive from downtown St. Petersburg.

7. St. Pete’s Beach Dog Park

This dog park is not actually at the beach. It’s in a park next to the bayou’s water edge. The park has nice facilities including picnic areas and clean bathrooms.

First, go to the dog park and let your dog get its energy out. Then, rent one of the stand-up paddle boards that are rentable with just your credit card. You don’t even have to go into the store. Bring your own doggie life jacket. Spend some time paddling out on the water. Once you return, head to the strip mall on the corner where you can get a happy hour drink at Niko’s Dog Bar.

• Best For: Paddle boarding, off-leash runs, drinks with your dog
• Leash Required: No in the fenced park; Yes, outside the dog park
• Parking: Free
• Location: This park is in St. Petersburg, close to the bayou. It’s about a 15-minute drive from downtown St. Petersburg.

4 Bonus Water View Walks in St. Petersburg

If you are still looking for fun coastal walks to go on with your dog in the St. Petersburg area, there’s some absolutely wonderful option. We enjoyed every single one of these walks and went back to Coffee Pot a number of times looking for manatees.

• Coffee Pot Bayou: Beautify water views along the bayou accompanied with elegant homes on a cobblestone street on the other side. It’s an ideal for walks, but it’s very popular with dogs, joggers, bikers etc., so best for dogs comfortable with stimulation.
• St. Pete Pier: Features various vendors, restaurants and beautiful views, but expect crowds. Round trip, the walk is over a mile, so you can get in a decent amount of steps with your pup.
• Flora Wylie Park: Located next to a dog park and offers beautiful views of Tampa Bay including potential dolphin sightings. It is a big space so even though it’s popular you won’t be crowded unless a special event is happening.
• Gulfport Pier: This eclectic beach town has a lot of personality. It seemed to have its heyday a while ago, but when we were there it was still packed with people in the bars, live music and a very festive atmosphere. Dogs aren’t allowed on the beach, but they can walk leashed along the fishing pier.

When is the best time to visit beaches in St. Petersburg with a Dog?

The best time to visit beaches in St. Petersburg with your dog largely depends on the weather and your preferences for crowd sizes.

Fall and Spring: These seasons are ideal for visiting St. Petersburg’s beaches with your dog. The weather is comfortable—not too hot for your furry friend—and the beaches are less crowded than during the peak summer months. This means more space for your dog to explore and less stress from overcrowding.

Winter: While it might be cooler, winter offers a unique opportunity for beach visits. The beaches are much quieter, giving you and your dog plenty of space.

Summer: This season can be challenging due to higher temperatures. Your outdoor activities will be restricted to mornings and evenings.

Beach Etiquette

When you’re out exploring St. Pete’s beautiful beaches, it’s essential to be a responsible pet parent.

• Clean Up: Always bring poop bags and clean up after your dog. Some beaches have waste stations, but it’s best to come prepared.
• Leash Laws: Abide by the leash laws of each beach. Even if your dog is well-behaved, not everyone is comfortable around dogs, and in Florida, local wildlife is often present.
• Personal Space: Keep a respectful distance from other beachgoers. Not everyone is a dog lover, and some dogs may not be as friendly as yours.
• Voice Control: If the beach allows off-leash time, make sure your dog is under voice control. This means they come when called, no matter the distractions.
• Wildlife Awareness: Many beaches are home to sensitive ecosystems. Keep your dog away from bird nesting areas, tide pools, and other wildlife habitats. Florida has birds galore, alligators, manatees etc. All these animals need to be protected from your furry companions.
• Water Safety: Not all dogs are strong swimmers, so keep an eye on your dog while they’re in the water. Also, ocean currents can be unpredictable.

Final Thoughts: Dog Friendly Beaches St Pete

Whether you’re splashing in the calm waters of Fort De Soto, exploring the natural beauty of Honeymoon Island, or enjoying the community vibe at St. Pete’s Beach Dog Park, there’s a spot for every type of dog and owner.

We really enjoyed exploring all of these beaches with our two terriers Sam and Denver. The beauty of the beaches meant both humans and dogs could appreciate the experience.

Now it’s your turn to head out and enjoy the sandy shores and sunny days St. Petersburg offers to you and your pup.