There are few places in the Sunshine State as tranquil and idyllic as the picture-perfect Florida Keys. While visiting there, you can snorkel among sea turtles and dolphins, watch amazing sunsets, sip tropical drinks, and sample lots of key lime pie.
With outdoor dining and plenty of outdoor activities, you can even bring your dog along. There’s also a chance for your four-legged friend to go paddle boarding or take a charter boat ride.
We tried several options firsthand with Leo, a black Labrador retriever who loves swimming and fetching in the sun. Here are some ideas.
Outdoor spots you can enjoy with your dog
If you’re bringing your pet with you on your trip to the Florida Keys, safety should be your top priority. During the winter, temperatures reach highs in the mid-70s and drop to the mid-60s at night. During the summer, pet owners should make hot cars and sidewalks a priority to keep their pets safe and cool.
our visit Also includes a stop at Sombrero Beach. A dog on a leash near the Seven Mile Bridge. With white sand, crystal clear water, and amenities such as nearby bathrooms and pavilions, this beach is the perfect setting for a picnic and a day in the sun.
Other dog-friendly beaches include Coco Plum Beach in Marathon (all city parks are pet-friendly), Anne’s Beach in Islamorada, and Key West Dog Beach. Higgs Beach Dog Park in Key West provides a dedicated place for your pet to run and play.
Florida’s state parks also have dog-friendly hiking trails and outdoor spaces. During our visit, Leo enjoyed the Rockland hammock habitat of the Curry Hammock State Park Nature Trail (2.4 miles). round trip) and a 1-hour walk on the Golden Orb Trail at Long Key State Park — both offered Waterfront scenery and unique ecosystem.
Other dog-friendly locations include Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock State Park in Key Largo, Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park in Islamorada, and National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key. Dogs are not allowed on state park beaches.
Attractions you can enjoy with your dog
One of the most pleasant surprises when visiting the Florida Keys is how many attractions allow four-legged visitors with a human companion.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, the Key West Tropical Forest Botanical Garden is home to a historic butterfly garden and plants native to the Florida Keys, Cuba, and the Caribbean. It’s also a great place to take your dog for a walk along the boardwalk and mulch-covered trails to learn about Key West’s biodiversity.
Pets are allowed at the historic Key West Aquarium, which opened in 1935, offering an indoor escape from the heat and some much-needed shade. Bring your leashed dog to see rehabilitated sea turtles, sharks, and a variety of tropical fish.
Nancy Forester’s Secret Garden, a parrot sanctuary, is another Key West attraction that comes up when you search for dog-friendly places.
In the key above, theater of the sea Well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed in all areas except . Parrot Theater. Key Largo Princess glass-bottom boat tours allow dogs under 50 pounds to sail with their humans. We recommend calling ahead to confirm if space is available for additional guests.
With so much water to explore in the Florida Keys, there are kayak and paddleboard specialty stores where you can bring your dog along for the adventure. While certainly not the only outdoor outfitter, Lazy Dog Adventures in Key West offers kayak, paddleboard, and boat tours, and dogs are encouraged to join.
There are also many charter boat tours and floating tiki hut adventures, and pets are encouraged.
Restaurants that allow dogs
When it comes to dog-friendly restaurants in the Florida Keys, there are plenty of options for patio and outdoor dining along the Overseas Highway. Many servers will provide water bowls right away to make sure everyone stays hydrated.
During our trip, we first visited Island Fish Company Restaurant & Tiki Bar in Marathon, where we sipped tropical cocktails and ate conch fritters and fried key lime pie. Leo was content to sit next to us at the table and cool off by the water bowl.
He also enjoyed some leftover potato chips and happily kept us company at the Schooner Wharf bar in Key West. There the band jammed to classic rock tunes and the tuna nachos were a real hit.
On our way out of the Keys, we made sure to check out Robbie’s, a hotspot in Islamorada where visitors can feed tarpon. The waterfront hangout has a market and daily boat rentals. From our table at the Hungry Tarpon Restaurant, we could clearly see people feeding the tarpon while we ate corvina and mahi.
Other popular dog-friendly restaurants in Key West include Blue Heaven, Louis’ Backyard, Salute!, Hogfish Bar & Grill, and First Flight. In Key Largo, check out Buzzard’s Roost, Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen II, Key Largo Fisheries Backyard, Skipper’s Dockside, Snook’s Bayside, Key Largo Conch House, Sundowners, Hobo’s Cafe, Sharky’s Sharkbite Grill, and more.
Middle Key is home to Islamorada Fish Company and Wahoo’s Bar and Grill.
For more restaurant recommendations, visit bringfido.com.
Accommodations where you can stay with dogs
The Florida Keys has plenty of lodging options for the whole family, including pets.
Our stay included 3 nights of tent camping at Bahia Honda State Park, just off the Seven Mile Bridge. Known for its pristine beaches and stargazing opportunities, this park is a great place to camp by the water, but dogs are not allowed on the beach or in the cabins.
All of the state park campgrounds are perfect for your Keys camping vacation. For indoor stays, there are many vacation rentals available from Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com.
Particularly pet-friendly accommodations include Islander Resort and Three Waters Resort and Marina in Islamorada. Baker’s Cay Resort, Key Largo; Ambrosia Key West; Margaritaville Beach House, Key West, Hawks Cay Resort.
BringFido also features unique lodging options, including an Airbnb apartment in a 100-year-old Key West building where the 1955 movie “The Rose Tattoo” was filmed. The other is East Sister Rock Island, a private vacation rental just off the coast of Marathon.
Other interesting places to stay include a 34-foot catamaran near Key West and a home in Islamorada with its own private dock.
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