The Best Jacksonville Area Dog-Friendly Beaches: Fun in the Sun With Fido

It is easy to see why so many people love living in the Jacksonville area. Like many other cities, Jacksonville has a bustling downtown area rich with shops, dining, and entertainment, but unlike most other places, it’s just as easy to enjoy countless days at one of the city’s beautiful beaches. However it’s not only the human residents of Jacksonville that crave sunny beach days; dogs love beaches, too! And the dogs of Jacksonville have many beaches that welcome them with open arms to enjoy fun in the sun.

Jacksonville Beach

601 1st St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Located on 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach is one of the many dog-friendly beaches in the city of Jacksonville. Jacksonville Beach is a public beach for all to enjoy, and pets are welcome, so long as they are leashed, between October 1 and March 31. Human visitors to Jacksonville beach will be able to enjoy the sand, sun, and sea, but can also participate in countless other activities, like surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, diving, boating, and fishing. Jacksonville Beach is known for its one-of-a-kind coastal shores, and there is ample opportunity for you and your canine companion to explore. 

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

500 Wonderwood Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32233 | More Info

One of the northernmost beaches in the Jacksonville area is located within Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is a massive public beach and city park that spans 447 acres and contains a freshwater lake, campground, and off-road bike trails in addition to miles of increasingly rare mature coastal hammock. The 1.5 miles of sandy beaches at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park are dog-friendly, so long as pups are leashed, and contain multiple access points. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is also the site of one of Northeast Florida’s most noteworthy surfing spots, The Poles. The park also contains Dolphin Plaza, which is a gorgeous oceanfront setting perfect for hosting a dog-friendly event, like a wedding reception or large family gathering.

Mickler’s Landing Beachfront Park

County Rd 203, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 | More Info

Situated in Ponte Vedra, Mickler’s Landing Beachfront Park is the neighborhood’s first public beach, and is beloved by locals for its pink coquina-sand beaches. Home to sand dunes towering over its visitors at an impressive twenty-feet high, Mickler’s Landing is the perfect place to bear witness to untouched habitats of Florida’s natural wildlife. Mickler’s Landing is an ideal spot to bring your dog, though you will need to keep them leashed and be sure to pick up after them. Visitors can also take advantage of clean restrooms, outdoor showers, and ample ample parking.

Neptune Beach

Strand St Access Point, Neptune Beach, FL 32266

Neptune Beach, located just north of Jacksonville Beach, is another public beach that welcomes Jacksonville’s canine residents. Like Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach boasts so much more than gorgeous views of the ocean. Visitors can surf, paddleboard, dive, fish, kayak, and swim, and best of all, they can bring their dogs. Dogs are permitted on Neptune Beach at all hours from October 1 to March 31, and during the rest of the year they’re welcome in the evenings, from 5 to 9 pm. Dog owners must be mindful to pick up after their pets and keep them leashed and current on their vaccinations. 

Atlantic Beach

100 Club Dr, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 | More Info

North of Neptune Beach lies Atlantic Beach, which is one of the few beaches in the Jacksonville area that not only allows dogs to enjoy the beach, but also permits dogs to go for a swim. Pets must be on leashes during the day and in the evening except in the event that both the dog and its owner are in the water together. Like Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach, visitors to Atlantic Beach can participate in a number of water-related activities and enjoy beachfront shopping and dining.

Fernandina Beach

32 N Fletcher Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 | More Info

Located in the northernmost city of Florida’s Atlantic coast, Fernandina Beach lies on Amelia Island and is known for its wide array of wildlife. Both human and canine visitors are welcome to enjoy Fernandina Beach’s sandy shores. Dog owners must be sure to pick up after their dogs and be sure to keep them leashed at all times. Because of all of the wildlife you are likely to encounter during your visit, it’s important to be mindful that your dog does not harass any of Fernandina Beach’s resident creatures.