When it comes to the North Carolina coast, you and your pet have a treasure trove of beautiful beaches to choose from for your seaside sojourn. Below you’ll find a guide to the pet-friendly beaches of the Crystal Coast, Topsail, Cape Fear, and Brunswick Island areas. For our guide to the pet-friendly beaches of the Outer Banks, click here. Remember, always follow local beach regulations and always pick up after your pet.

CRYSTAL COAST BEACHES
Cape Lookout National Seashore
Harkers Island, NC 28531
Cape Lookout National Seashore comprises more than 50 miles of undeveloped beach across four barrier islands three miles off the North Carolina coast. The islands are only accessible by ferry. Pets on leash are permitted on the islands; be aware, that, for all intents and purposes, there is no running water on the islands (they do sell water bottles), so you may want to bring extra water for your pet. Most of the ferries accept pets, but it’s best to call ahead.

Atlantic Beach Strand
Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
You and your pet on leash are permitted on the beach strand, except for the section of beach within 20 feet of the water’s edge in lifeguarded areas.

Fort Macon State Park
2300 East Fort Macon Road
Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
Located at the eastern end of Bogue Banks, one of a series of barrier islands, the park is surrounded by water on three sides: the Atlantic, Beaufort Inlet and Bogue Sound. The park also contains a Civil War fort. Pets on a 6-foot leash are allowed on the beach (but not in designated swimming areas) and throughout the park, except the park buildings.

Indian Beach Strand
Indian Beach, NC 28575
You and your pet on leash are allowed on the beach

Pine Knoll Shores Beach Strand
Pine Knoll Shores, NC 28512
Your pet on a 16-foot leash is allowed on the local beaches.

Emerald Isle Beach Strand
Emerald Isle, NC 26594
You and your pet on leash are permitted on the beach.

Swansboro Beaches
Swansboro, NC 28584
Your pet on leash is permitted on the local beaches.

Hammocks Beach State Park
1572 Hammocks Beach Road
Swansboro, NC 28584
This is a tripartite park, consisting of about 30 acres on the mainland, and two barrier islands, Bear Island and the smaller Huggins Island. Both are serviced by a ferry, which, unfortunately, does not permit pets. But if you have boat or can rent a boat, you’ll want to get yourself over to Bear Island. Three and a half miles long and bordered to the north by the Atlantic and salt marshes to the south, this 892-acre island offers beautiful sandy beaches and dunes that you and your pet can explore on a 6-foot leash (he’s just not permitted in designated swimming areas or park buildings). You can also visit Huggins Island together, which is home to a maritime swamp forest.

TOPSAIL BEACHES
North Topsail Beach
North Topsail, Beach, NC 28460
Pets on leash are permitted on all of North Topsail’s beaches.

Surf City Beaches
Surf City, NC 28445
You and your pet on a leash can enjoy the sand and surf of Surf City.

Topsail Beach
Topsail Beach, NC 28445
From May 15 to September 30, dogs on leash are permitted on the beaches of Topsail Beach. The rest of the year, pets are permitted off leash if they are under direct voice control.

CAPE FEAR BEACHES
Wrightsville Beach Strand
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
From April 1 to September 30, pets are not permitted on the beach strand. Otherwise, they can enjoy the beach on a leash.

Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Pets on leash are permitted on the beaches of Carolina Beach ONLY from November 1 through February 28.

Freeman Park
1800 Canal Drive
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
This area is a wonderful place to go surf casting, boating, crabbing, or beachcombing. Pets on leash are permitted April 1 through September 30. From October 1 to March 31, pets under direct voice control are allowed off leash.

Carolina Beach State Park
1010 State Park Road
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
You and your pet (on a 6-foot leash) are welcome on the trails and along the shoreline of this beautiful park. Explore the park’s diverse ecosystems and keep an eye out for Veus flytraps, which we just learned are only native within 60 to 75 miles of Wilmington, North Carolina. Pets are not permitted in park buildings or in designated swimming areas.

Kure Beach Strand
Kure Beach, NC 28449
Dogs on a 15-foot leash are permitted on the strand October 1 through March 31; otherwise they are not allowed on the beach. There is an off leash park, Gurney Hood Barking Lot, located in Joe Eakes Park.

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
1000 Loggerhead Road
Kure Beach, NC 28449
www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/fofi/main.php
At the southern tip of Pleasure Island, Fort Fisher sits between the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Fear River. You can enjoy the six miles of sandy white beach or explore the mudflats and marshes. Pets on a 6-foot leash are permitted. They are not allowed in park buildings or designated swimming areas.

BRUNSWICK ISLAND BEACHES
Oak Island Beaches
Oak Island, NC 28465
Pets on leash are permitted on the beach; this includes Caswell Beach.

Ocean Isle Beach Strand
Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
Pets are not permitted on the beach strand from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day; otherwise, you and your pet on leash can romp on the beach.

Sunset Beach Strand
Sunset Beach, NC 28468
Pets are not permitted on the beach strand from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day; otherwise, you and your pet on leash can romp on the beach.

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