3 Pet-Friendly Beaches in Southwest Florida

In Southwest Florida, it always feels like summer, which means it is always a great time to visit the beach! Although you can’t take your pet on any Naples beaches yet, there are TONS of pet-friendly beaches an hour or less from the Naples area that are perfect for the whole family. These are 3 of Heidi and Hope Pet Service’s favorite dog beaches that we have visited in Southwest Florida and had a PAWsome time!

1) Bonita Beach Dog Park

Bonita Beach Dog Park is Heidi and Hope’s favorite dog beach! It is strictly a beach just for dogs that you can enjoy with your furry friend off leash. Located in Bonita Springs, it is only a 30 minute drive from the Naples area. There is plenty of beach area to walk, run, swim, and hang with your pup. However, make a note to look at the tide times for the day. Since the beach is located on a tidal flat, it is subject to flood with the rising tides, so make sure to plan your trip around low tide times. Tide times can be found in the local paper or on the Lee County Website. Bonita Beach Dog Park also has plenty of pet waste stations and even a dog wash station to wash off after all the beachy fun! Check out their website for visit and tide information:

https://www.leegov.com/parks/beaches/dogbeach

2) Bowman’s Beach

Bowman’s Beach is located in beautiful Sanibel, Florida. It is Sanibel Island’s largest and most popular beach area. It is a little further from Naples, but a great day trip for the entire family. All pets are welcome as long as they are on a leash. Get ready for a hike though - it is 5 miles from the parking area to the beach. Luckily, it is a gorgeous walk with unobstructed views of the beach and shells galore! Hope always has a blast chasing the waves and rolling in the sand. Bowman’s Beach also has amenities for the whole family such as restrooms, fishing access, grills, picnic areas, and playgrounds. Check out their website for more information and parking instructions:

https://www.leegov.com/parks/beaches/bowmansbeach

3) Lighthouse Beach Park

Lighthouse Beach Park is also located in Sanibel, Florida. Sanibel beaches are all pet-friendly! However, Lighthouse Beach is a 32 acre park located at the tip of Sanibel Island, which means plenty of room to run around and swim with your furry friend! There is a historic lighthouse, fishing pier, beach and picnic areas, so make sure to leash up your pet when walking around. They even have a nature trail that is perfect for a walk with your pet. Lighthouse Beach also has all of the amenities such as beach showers, restrooms, grills, and shaded eating pavilions. Visit their website to find out more about Lighthouse Beach and parking information:

https://www.visitfortmyers.com/beaches/lighthouse-beach-park

Make a Splash!

We hope you enjoy your beach day with your furry family member at one or all of these beautiful Southwest Florida pet-friendly beaches! Heidi and Hope Pet Services knows pets are family, which makes it even more special to share some fun in the sun with your pet! Check out our Naples Favorites page on our website for updated pet- friendly places we love in the Naples area and more:

https://www.handhpetservices.com/naples-favorites