Few places in the Sunshine State are as serene and idyllic as the picture-perfect Florida Keys. During a visit there, it’s possible to snorkel among sea turtles and dolphins, catch amazing sunsets, sip on tropical drinks and try so much key lime pie.
With a plethora of open-air restaurants and outdoor activities, it’s also possible to bring dogs along for the ride. There are even chances for four-legged friends to hop on a paddleboard or take a ride on a charter boat.
We tried out some options firsthand with Leo, our black Labrador retriever, who has a love for swimming and playing fetch in the sunshine. Here are a few ideas.
Dog-friendly outdoor destinations
When it comes to bringing pets along on a Florida Keys trip, safety should be your top priority. During the winter months, the temperature peaks in the mid-70s and drops to the mid-60s at night. During the summer, hot cars and sidewalks should be at the forefront of pet owners’ minds as they work to keep their companion safe and cool.
Our visit included a stop at Sombrero Beach, which allows leashed dogs right near the Seven Mile Bridge. With white sand, clear water and amenities like bathrooms and pavilions nearby, this beach makes the perfect setting for a picnic or a day in the sun.
Other beaches that are dog-friendly include Coco Plum Beach in Marathon (where all city parks are pet-friendly), Anne’s Beach in Islamorada and the Key West Dog Beach. Higgs Beach Dog Park in Key West offers a dedicated place for pets to run and play.
Florida’s state parks also offer dog-friendly hiking trails and outdoor spaces. During our visit, Leo enjoyed the rockland hammock habitat of the Curry Hammock State Park nature trail (1.5 miles round-trip) and an hour-long walk on the Golden Orb Trail at Long Key State Park — both offering waterfront views and unique ecosystems.
Other dog-friendly destinations include Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park in Key Largo, Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park in Islamorada and the National Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine Key. Beaches at state parks are off-limits to dogs.
Dog-friendly attractions
One of the most pleasantly surprising things about visiting the Florida Keys is seeing how many attractions allow for four-legged visitors accompanying their humans.
The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, contains historic butterfly gardens and flora native to the Florida Keys, Cuba and the Caribbean. It also makes for a great place to take a walk with your dog along boardwalks and mulched paths to learn more about the biodiversity of Key West.
The historic Key West Aquarium, which first opened its doors in 1935, also allows pets in, providing an indoor respite from the heat and some much-needed shade. See rehabilitated sea turtles, sharks and many species of tropical fish with your leashed dog in hand.
Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden, a parrot sanctuary, is another Key West attraction that comes up in a search for dog-friendly places.
At the upper keys, Theater of the Sea allows well-behaved, leashed dogs in all areas except the Parrot Theater. The Key Largo Princess glass-bottom boat tours also permit dogs under 50 pounds to sail away with their humans. It’s best to call ahead to ensure there’s room for an extra companion on board.
With so much water to explore in the Florida Keys, there are kayak and paddleboard outfitters that allow canine companions to join the adventure. While certainly not the only outfitter, Lazy Dog Adventures in Key West offers kayak, paddleboard and boat tours where pooches are encouraged to join.
There are many charter boat tours and even a floating tiki hut adventure that also encourage humans to bring their pets.
Dog-friendly restaurants
When it comes to dog-friendly dining in the Florida Keys, there are many options on patios and in the open-air establishments that line the Overseas Highway. Many servers are quick to provide water bowls to ensure everyone stays hydrated.
During our trip, we first tried the Island Fish Co. Restaurant & Tiki Bar in Marathon, where we dined on conch fritters and deep-fried key lime pie while sipping tropical cocktails. Leo was content to sit next to the table with us and stay cool by his water bowl.
He also enjoyed a few leftover chips and was happy to keep us company at Schooner Warf Bar in Key West, where a band jammed to classic rock tunes and the tuna nachos really hit the spot.
On our way out of the Keys, we were sure to check out Robbie’s, the Islamorada hotspot where visitors can feed the tarpon. There’s also a market and boat rentals daily at the waterfront hangout. From our table at the Hungry Tarpon Restaurant, we had a clear view of people feeding tarpon while we dined on corvina and mahi.
In Key West, other top dog-friendly eateries include Blue Heaven, Louie’s Backyard, Salute!, Hogfish Bar & Grill and First Flight. In Key Largo, check out The Buzzard’s Roost, Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen II, Key Largo Fisheries Backyard, Skippers Dockside, Snook’s Bayside, Key Largo Conch House, Sundowners, Hobo’s Cafe, Sharkey’s Sharkbite Grill and more.
In the middle keys, top options include Islamorada Fish Company and Wahoo’s Bar and Grill.
For other restaurant recommendations, check out bringfido.com.
Dog-friendly stays
There’s no shortage of options for overnight accommodations for the whole family in the Florida Keys, pets included.
Our stay included three nights of tent camping at Bahia Honda State Park, which sits just after the Seven Mile Bridge. Known for its pristine beaches and stargazing opportunities, the park is a perfect place to camp right on the water, though dogs are not allowed on the beaches or in cabins.
Any state park campground would make an ideal choice for a camping getaway in the Keys. For indoor stays, there are many vacation rentals from Airbnb, VRBO and Booking.com.
Overnight accommodations that come up as being particularly pet-friendly include the Islander Resort and Three Waters Resort and Marina, both in Islamorada; Baker’s Cay Resort, Key Largo; Ambrosia Key West; Margaritaville Beach House, Key West and Hawks Cay Resort.
BringFido also lists unique overnight stays like an Airbnb apartment in Key West in a 100-year-old building where the 1955 film “Rose Tattoo” was filmed. Another is East Sister Rock Island, a private vacation rental just off the coast of Marathon.
Other interesting stays include a 34-foot catamaran sailboat near Key West and an Islamorada home with a private dock.
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