Where to Have a Beach Day With Your Dog in Naples FL
While most Naples beaches don’t allow dogs, there are two amazing spots nearby where your pup can splash and play: Keewaydin Island and Bonita Beach Dog Beach. Both are local favorites, but they offer totally different experiences—one is an off-the-grid adventure, the other is a social, off-leash dog haven.
For a true island escape, head to Keewaydin Island, a gorgeous, undeveloped stretch of sand where leashed dogs are welcome. You’ll need a boat or a dog-friendly water taxi, but the payoff is worth it: clear water, soft sand, and plenty of room to roam. No crowds, no noise—just you, your pup, and the Gulf. If you don’t have a boat, book Bark on the Ark with Pure Florida for an easy, dog-approved excursion.
If you’d rather skip the boat ride and let your dog run free, Bonita Beach Dog Beach (technically in Bonita Springs) is your spot. This is the only true off-leash beach in the area, and it’s shallow, calm, and filled with happy dogs living their best life. Get the inside scoop from The Naples Florida Review below, or check out their full list of where to bring your dog in Naples!
Photo Credit: News-press.com
Keewaydin Island
If you want your dog to have a real beach day, this is where you go. You’ll need to take a boat (or the dog-friendly water taxi from Marco), and once you get there, it’s a long, undeveloped stretch of sand where dogs are welcome on leash. It’s peaceful and gorgeous, and there’s nothing to do but sit in the sand and watch your dog lose their mind in the water. No bathrooms, no shade, no food, so bring what you need. If your dog likes swimming and you don’t mind putting in a little effort, it’s worth it. Don’t have a boat? Pure Florida runs Bark on the Ark, where you can book a ticket for you and your pup on their 3-hour excursion to Keewaydin.
Bonita Beach Dog Beach
Technically in Bonita Springs, but close enough. This is the only proper off-leash beach in the area, and dogs are allowed to run and swim freely. It’s shallow and calm, and there are usually at least five retrievers living their best lives at any given time. Go early before it gets crowded (and before the tide swallows up the beach). There’s a rinse station but no real amenities. Bring water and don’t forget towels. Originally published on The Naples Florida Review.