The 10 most dog friendly SC beaches that will have your pet’s tail wagging
With summer vacation, good weather and Independence Day approaching, many families are taking trips to the beach.
Why shouldn’t your pet be able to join in the fun?
If you’re looking to visit a beach the entire family can enjoy, South Carolina has plenty of pet-friendly beaches along the coast, and Veterinarians.org recently released a list of the top 10 best beaches for your pet in the Palmetto State.
If you don’t know where to begin your search for beaches that allow your quadrupedal companion, there are several websites, such as Bring Fido, that will give you lists of several pet-friendly beaches or establishments throughout the state.
However, before bringing your pet along with you outdoors this summer, take a look at outside temperatures.
With temperatures above 85 degrees, sidewalks and other outdoor walking medians may not have the chance to cool down, and when air temperatures reach 86 degrees, asphalt temperatures can register at 135 degrees, according to the American Kennel Club.
Before your dog walks on the ground, especially areas such as asphalt or sand, make sure to first test if the ground is too hot. To do this, place your hand, or bare foot, on the ground surface or the pavement or surface in question for at least 10 seconds. If this is too hot for your hand, then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws to be walking on.
Luckily, if your pet likes to accompany you throughout your day, several retailers sell heat resistant dog “booties” for them to wear on hot pavement, so their paws won’t get injured.
Additionally, if your dog is one that might want to take a swim with you, retailers also sell life jackets for dogs to make sure they stay safe in the waves whether they are a strong swimmer or not.
If you’ve tested the ground and deemed it safe for your pet to travel with you for the day, or they already have their own pair of booties, here are the top 10 pet-friendly beaches for you and your pet to visit in South Carolina, according to Veterinarians.org.
Coligny Beach Park, Hilton Head Island
Kiawah Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island
Surfside Beach, Surfside Beach
Folly Beach, Folly beach
Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach
Burkes Beach, Hilton Head Island
Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island
Isle of Palms County Park Beach, Isle of Palms
Alder Lane Beach, Hilton Head Island
Morris Island Beach, Folly Beach
Hilton Head Island: For beaches listed on Hilton Head Island, pet-related beach laws change throughout the year.
Now through Labor Day, your pet isn’t allowed on the beach between the daytime hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Afterward though, they may be present while leashed or under voice control authority from 5 p.m. until 10 a.m.
Following Labor Day through the month of September, animals are again allowed on the beach daily if leashed from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and with voice control only being an option between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10 a.m.
Between October through March, your animal may be on the beach at any time on a leash or under voice control on Hilton Head Island.
At low tide, the island’s wide beaches serve as a great place for your pet to run, play and enjoy the beach with the nearby waters being shallow, which may allow your pet to have an easier swim.
Kiawah Island: On Kiawah Island, dogs are allowed on the beach year-round and must be leashed while outside unless they are in an enclosed area. Certain exceptions apply.
Surfside Beach: At Surfside Beach, all dogs or other domestic pets are not permitted on the public beach between 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. from May 1 through Labor Day. All other times leashed dogs are allowed on the beach.
Folly Beach: At Folly Beach, dogs will not be allowed on the beach from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. until Sept. 30th. At all other times they must be leashed and under control. Additionally, pets are never allowed on the pier.
Myrtle Beach: At Myrtle Beach, a popular tourist destination in South Carolina, pet laws vary depending on the time of year, which is similar to Hilton Head. Until Labor Day, dogs are allowed on the beach but only before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. From the day after Labor Day until April 30, dogs are allowed on the beach at any time of day.
Pawleys Island: On Pawleys Island at Litchfield Beach, dogs are allowed on the beach year round. Pet owners must have a leash in hand and have their dog under voice control. From now until September 30 between 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., dogs must be leashed and under complete control, even while in the water.
Isle of Palms: For beaches on Isle of Palms, dogs must be leashed during their visit. Dogs brought to the beach are only allowed to be off-leash from April 1 through Sept. 14 between the hours of 5 a.m. until 9 a.m. and from Sept. 15 through March 31 between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m.
