Are Dogs Allowed on Wrightsville Beach? 2026 Guide
In this article
Going with your dog to the beach can be one of the most fun and rewarding activities for both of you. Watching your canine go a little crazy as they dig, run, and dodge waves will always bring you a lot of pleasure, which goes double for your dog!
If you live in the lovely town of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, or plan to visit the area sometime soon, you might wonder if dogs are allowed on Wrightsville Beach. There’s good news and bad to report on this front. Dogs are allowed on Wrightsville Beach, but there are several restrictions you must follow lest you get a hefty fine from the local police department.
For example, dogs aren’t allowed on Wrightsville Beach from April 1st through the end of September. Unfortunately, dogs must also be leashed while on the beach in Wrightsville Beach, even when it’s off-season. Read on for other beach-related activities you can enjoy with your dog in North Carolina!
Can Dogs Go on Wrightsville Beach at Night?
From October 1st through March 31st, you can bring your dog to Wrightsville Beach at any time of the day or night. During the rest of the year, you can’t bring dogs to Wrightsville Beach at all. From what online reviews say, law enforcement will give you a ticket if you don't follow the rules.
Is Wrightsville Beach Considered a “Dog-Friendly” Beach?
Unfortunately, Wrightsville Beach has a reputation for not being a dog-friendly beach. For example, you can’t go on the beach with dogs during summer, even after 5:00 pm, which you can do at several other N.C. beaches. Furthermore, dogs can never be off-leash at Wrightsville Beach, which significantly reduces the amount of fun you can have.
It’s difficult to play frisbee with your dog on a leash, and swimming with them on a leash is not recommended due to safety risks. Lastly, the fine for a first offense, even if you’re the world’s most upstanding dog parent, is $250.00! That’s a lot of money for what typically amounts to a small, innocent mistake.
Which Beaches in and Around Wrightsville Beach Allow Dogs?
Wrightsville Beach can be a little confusing because it’s the name of the town and the name of one of the beaches in the town. Wrightsville Beach is near Wilmington, North Carolina, and several beaches are nearby.
1. Carolina Beach
1598 S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC, 28428
Rated Five Bones by BringFido, Carolina Beach allows dogs during the same times of the year as Wrightsville Beach. However, they also allow dogs on the beach from April 1st through September 30th, as long as you go before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm.
2. Kure Beach
601 Fort Fisher Blvd S, Kure Beach, NC, 28449
Like Carolina Beach, Kure Beach allows dogs at any time from October 1st through March 31st. From April 1st through September 30th, you can only bring your dog before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm. You must always keep dogs on a leash, and their leashes can’t be more than 15 feet long. For these reasons, Kure Beach only gets three Bones on BringFido.
However, in Kure Beach, NC, you’ll also find Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, which has a beach and lets leashed dogs on the beach throughout the year! The Park gets a 4.5 Bones rating.
3. Topsail Island
402 N Shore Dr, Topsail Beach, NC, 28445
The highest-rated beach for dogs by far in the Wilmington, NC, area is Topsail Island. The island’s town of Topsail Beach lets dogs run around without a leash, at least during the off-season.
Yes, from May 15th through September 30th, your pup will need to be leashed, but at any other time of year, they can run free in Topsail Beach (Surf City and North Topsail Beach require leashes year-round) as long as they’re well-trained and listen to voice commands well. The reviews on BringFido for Topsail Island reflect this no-leash option and celebrate it.
4. Topsail Beach Dog Beach
801 N Anderson Blvd, Topsail Beach, NC, 28445
Like Topsail Island, Topsail Beach Dog Beach will let your dogs run around without a leash during the off-season. Likewise, from May 15th through September 30th, you will need to leash your pup. One very important fact you should note is that from April 1st through September 30th, your dog must be leashed in the Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) Unit L07, and signs tell you where it is.
Which North Carolina Beach Is the Friendliest Toward Dogs?
North Carolina has at least 25 beaches along its 301 miles of coastline, many of which are dog-friendly. Which one is the friendliest toward canines? Most online reviews and dog-based websites give that honor to Caswell Beach, which is located on the eastern end of Oak Island.
Dogs can go on Caswell Beach at any time all year on a leash, not just during the off-peak times. Even during peak season, you can unleash your dogs on Caswell Beach from dawn until 9:00 am. From October 15th through March 15th, your dog can be unleashed on Caswell Beach all day.
One last reason Caswell Beach gets such high marks is that it has few crowds, even during the summer. That means you and your canine companion can enjoy yourselves without too many interruptions, which is great if your pup is the shy type. Caswell Beach is located at 1100 Caswell Beach Rd, Caswell Beach, NC, 28465.
Is the Carolina Beach Boardwalk Dog-Friendly?
Unfortunately, Carolina Beach Boardwalk is not friendly to canines, and you can’t walk the boardwalk with them, leashed or not. Even worse, at any time of year, you’re not even allowed to walk your dog on a leash through the boardwalk’s business district.
Are Dogs Allowed to Go to the Outer Banks in North Carolina?
Off the coast of North Carolina sits the Outer Banks, also known more simply as OBX. The Outer Banks is a series of barrier islands stretching over 200 miles. Some of the towns you’ll find there are quite famous, including Nags Head, Hatteras, and Corolla.
Are they dog-friendly? You’ll be glad to know that the answer is yes; many of the towns and beaches in the OBX are very friendly toward dogs, and most follow the same rules and guidelines as the other NC beaches we’ve seen today. There are a whopping 17 beaches to be enjoyed here. There are also hundreds of miles of trails to walk with your four-legged friend, giving you many hours of enjoyment, adventure, and fun.
Top 9 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Healthy and Safe at the Beach
No matter which North Carolina beach you decide to visit, there are several things you should do to prepare before you go so that you and your dog both have a great time.
Conclusion
During the summer season, dogs aren’t allowed on Wrightsville Beach at all, starting on April 1st and ending on September 30th annually. The good news is that there are several beautiful beaches to choose from in North Carolina, and many allow your dogs to be unleashed, albeit controlled, during certain times of the year.
If you’re heading to the coast of North Carolina with your dog, or dogs, in tow, you’ll find plenty of options to hit the beach and have some sunny, sandy, and surfy fun. Have a wonderful time, and, as always, be sure to pick up after your pup!
See Also:
Sources
Featured Image Credit: ART SUBLIMINA PHOTOGRAPHY, Shutterstock
Expert dog care, straight to your inbox
Vet-reviewed advice, training tips, and the best of Dogster. Free, and you can unsubscribe anytime.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
Greg Iacono is a self-taught writer and former chiropractor who, ironically, retired early due to back problems. He spends his time writing scintillating content on a wide variety of subjects. Greg is also an accomplished video script writer known for his ability to take a complex subject and make it accessible for the layperson.
Before retiring from chiropractic, Greg had clinics in 3 different countries, including the U.S., Belgium, and Peru. When not writing, Greg spends his time traveling, riding his motorcycle, and doting on his 7-year-old daughter, Valery. He also has a massive Lego city he built with his son, Alex, and is very proud of his daughter, Catherine, an accomplished graphic artist.
Join the conversation
Ask a question, share your story, or send private feedback.
