St. Simons Island is an interesting vacation spot and an even more interesting place to live. While the area does have a few dog-friendly attractions, pet-friendly beaches are sadly few and far between. There are not many dog-friendly beaches there, and those that are there have some stricter regulations.
Before settling on this vacation spot, you’ll want to scope out the following beaches and regulations if you want to bring your dog.
Top 6 Dog-Friendly Beaches in St. Simons Island, GA
1. East Beach
| ️ Address: | 4202 1st St, St Simons Island, GA 31522 |
| Open Times: | Varies |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Hard-packed sand allows for easy walks and biking.
- Parking can be a bit complicated.
- Dogs are prohibited from 9 am to 6 pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
- Dogs may be off-leash. However, they must always be in the owner’s immediate control.
2. Massengale Park
| ️ Address: | 1350 Ocean Blvd, St Simons Island, GA 31522 |
| Open Times: | Varies |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Dogs are allowed to be off-leash during the non-summer months, but they must be under the control of their handler
- If the dogs are on a leash, the leash can be no longer than 10 feet
- Between Labor Day and Memorial Day, dogs are allowed on the beach at all times. However, in the summer months, dogs are only allowed on the beach between 6 pm and 9 am
3. Gould’s Inlet
| ️ Address: | 4309 16th St, St Simons Island, GA 31522 |
| Open Times: | 24/7 |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes, during the off-season |
- Limited parking is available, especially during the warmer months
- Scenic beach is often a favorite, so expect crowds
- A popular fishing and bird-watching spot
- Just north of Each Beach
4. Fort Frederica National Monument
| ️ Address: | 6515 Frederica Rd, St Simons Island, GA 31522 |
| Open Times: | 9 am–5 pm |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Old fort to explore with a beach
- Requires a National Park passport for entry
- No off-leash allowed at any time
5. Gascoigne Bluff Park
| ️ Address: | 1000 Arthur J Moore Dr, St Simons Island, GA 31522 |
| Open Times: | 24/7 |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Provides access to floating piers and docks
- Public marina available in the area
- Located along a river—so it isn’t necessarily an ocean beach
6. Coast Guard Station Beach
| ️ Address: | 1st Street, St Simons Island, GA 31522 |
| Open Times: | 24/7 |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Named after the old Coast Guard station on the beach
- Very popular section of the East Beach
- In walking distance to a local WWII Museum (not pet-friendly)
- Beautiful area with lots of pretty landmarks
Conclusion
While there are only a few dog-friendly beaches on Saint Simons Island, the regulations are pretty easy to follow. They are about the same for all beaches, which makes things much easier to remember, but the beach options are still very limited, which can be a disappointment for many dog lovers in the area.
As always, be sure you check the regulations before heading to the beach.
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Featured Image Credit: Juice Verve, Shutterstock
