Dog-Friendly BeachesDog-Friendly BeachesDog-friendly LowcountryCan the dog be on the beach right now?The rules change by beach, by season and by the hour, and getting them wrong is a fine rather than a telling-off. Tybee bans dogs outright. Sullivan’s Island wants a licence. Hilton Head keys off Memorial Day, and Isle of Palms off the sunrise. Each card below shows the answer for Sunday 5:12 AM and then the whole year underneath it. 2 of these 9 are confirmed against the town’s own page; the rest say so.SavannahTybee IslandLeave the dog homeNo dogs, everThe ruleAll yearEvery hourNo dogs, everDogs are not allowed on Tybee beaches at all — the ban protects nesting sea turtles and shorebirds, and it is enforced (first-offense fines run into the hundreds). Service animals excepted. Tybee does have a dog park by the Rivers End campground, and leashed dogs are fine in the neighborhoods and business district.Not yet checked against the ordinance itself · SourceHilton HeadHilton Head IslandBring the dogLeash or voice controlThe hours, in full1 October – 31 MarchEvery hourLeash or voice control1 April – the Thursday before Memorial Day10am–5pmLeashed only5pm–10amLeash or voice controlthe Friday before Memorial Day – Labor Day10am–5pmNo dogs5pm–10amLeash or voice controlthe day after Labor Day – 30 September10am–5pmLeashed only5pm–10amLeash or voice controlOutside the restricted daytime hours, dogs may be on a leash OR under positive voice control. A separate restriction protects shorebirds near Fish Haul Creek — watch for posted signage there.Confirmed with Town of Hilton Head Island · SourceCharlestonIsle of PalmsBring the dogOff-leash OKChanges at 10am · Leashed onlyThe hours, in full1 April – 14 September5am–9amOff-leash OK9am–5amLeashed only15 September – 31 March10am–4pmLeashed only4pm–10amOff-leash OKOff-leash still means leash in hand, dog under voice command, and you clean up. At every other hour dogs are welcome but leashed — including in the water.Confirmed with City of Isle of Palms · SourceCharlestonSullivan's IslandBring the dogOff-leash OKChanges at 12pm · Leashed onlyThe hours, in full1 May – 30 September5am–10amOff-leash OK10am–6pmNo dogs6pm–5amLeashed only1 October – 30 April5am–12pmOff-leash OK12pm–5amLeashed onlyPermit required. A Sullivan's Island dog licence is required to have a dog anywhere in public on the island — residents and visitors alike. Buy it at Town Hall; bring a current rabies certificate.The strictest permit regime on this coast, and it is enforced. Confirm the current season's hours with the Town before you rely on them.Not yet checked against the ordinance itself · SourceCharlestonFolly BeachLeash upLeashed onlyThe hours, in full1 May – 30 September10am–6pmNo dogs6pm–10amLeashed only1 October – 30 AprilEvery hourLeashed onlyLeashed and under control whenever dogs are allowed; never on the pier. Members of the FIDO club with current tags get off-leash privileges outside peak season.Not yet checked against the ordinance itself · SourceBeaufortHunting Island State ParkLeash upLeashed onlyThe hours, in full1 March – 31 October10am–5pmNo dogs5pm–10amLeashed only1 November – 28 FebruaryEvery hourLeashed onlyState-park rule: leash no longer than six feet, always. Dogs are kept off the beach in the middle of the day through turtle season. Not allowed in cabins or park buildings.Not yet checked against the ordinance itself · SourceCharlestonEdisto Beach State ParkBring the dogLeash or voice controlThe hours, in full1 May – 31 OctoberEvery hourLeashed only1 November – 30 AprilEvery hourLeash or voice controlOne of the friendlier stretches in the off-season — voice control is accepted on the sand from November through April. Six-foot leash the rest of the year.Not yet checked against the ordinance itself · SourceDaufuskieDaufuskie IslandWe have not checkedCheck with the townDaufuskie's beach is unincorporated Beaufort County and we have not confirmed a dog ordinance for it — we would rather say so than invent one. Assume leashed and under control, watch for posted signage, and check with the County.We have not confirmed a rule for this beach · SourceCharlestonBeachwalker Park (Kiawah)Bring the dogOff-leash OKThe hours, in full1 March – 15 OctoberEvery hourLeashed only16 October – 28 FebruaryEvery hourOff-leash OKThe only public access to Kiawah, and the rest of the island is private. Charleston County requires a leash and clean-up; the Town of Kiawah adds the season on top. Off-leash still means you stay with the dog and carry a lead, and you leash up if Beach Patrol or another beachgoer asks.Not yet checked against the ordinance itself · SourceRules change and signage wins. Always check what is posted at the access point.More for the dogTrails, parks & gardensDog parksBoats, ferries & toursPatios that mean itHotels and inns that take a dogAll things pets
SavannahTybee IslandLeave the dog homeNo dogs, everThe ruleAll yearEvery hourNo dogs, everDogs are not allowed on Tybee beaches at all — the ban protects nesting sea turtles and shorebirds, and it is enforced (first-offense fines run into the hundreds). Service animals excepted. Tybee does have a dog park by the Rivers End campground, and leashed dogs are fine in the neighborhoods and business district.Not yet checked against the ordinance itself · Source
Hilton HeadHilton Head IslandBring the dogLeash or voice controlThe hours, in full1 October – 31 MarchEvery hourLeash or voice control1 April – the Thursday before Memorial Day10am–5pmLeashed only5pm–10amLeash or voice controlthe Friday before Memorial Day – Labor Day10am–5pmNo dogs5pm–10amLeash or voice controlthe day after Labor Day – 30 September10am–5pmLeashed only5pm–10amLeash or voice controlOutside the restricted daytime hours, dogs may be on a leash OR under positive voice control. A separate restriction protects shorebirds near Fish Haul Creek — watch for posted signage there.Confirmed with Town of Hilton Head Island · Source
CharlestonIsle of PalmsBring the dogOff-leash OKChanges at 10am · Leashed onlyThe hours, in full1 April – 14 September5am–9amOff-leash OK9am–5amLeashed only15 September – 31 March10am–4pmLeashed only4pm–10amOff-leash OKOff-leash still means leash in hand, dog under voice command, and you clean up. At every other hour dogs are welcome but leashed — including in the water.Confirmed with City of Isle of Palms · Source
CharlestonSullivan's IslandBring the dogOff-leash OKChanges at 12pm · Leashed onlyThe hours, in full1 May – 30 September5am–10amOff-leash OK10am–6pmNo dogs6pm–5amLeashed only1 October – 30 April5am–12pmOff-leash OK12pm–5amLeashed onlyPermit required. A Sullivan's Island dog licence is required to have a dog anywhere in public on the island — residents and visitors alike. Buy it at Town Hall; bring a current rabies certificate.The strictest permit regime on this coast, and it is enforced. Confirm the current season's hours with the Town before you rely on them.Not yet checked against the ordinance itself · Source
CharlestonFolly BeachLeash upLeashed onlyThe hours, in full1 May – 30 September10am–6pmNo dogs6pm–10amLeashed only1 October – 30 AprilEvery hourLeashed onlyLeashed and under control whenever dogs are allowed; never on the pier. Members of the FIDO club with current tags get off-leash privileges outside peak season.Not yet checked against the ordinance itself · Source
BeaufortHunting Island State ParkLeash upLeashed onlyThe hours, in full1 March – 31 October10am–5pmNo dogs5pm–10amLeashed only1 November – 28 FebruaryEvery hourLeashed onlyState-park rule: leash no longer than six feet, always. Dogs are kept off the beach in the middle of the day through turtle season. Not allowed in cabins or park buildings.Not yet checked against the ordinance itself · Source
CharlestonEdisto Beach State ParkBring the dogLeash or voice controlThe hours, in full1 May – 31 OctoberEvery hourLeashed only1 November – 30 AprilEvery hourLeash or voice controlOne of the friendlier stretches in the off-season — voice control is accepted on the sand from November through April. Six-foot leash the rest of the year.Not yet checked against the ordinance itself · Source
DaufuskieDaufuskie IslandWe have not checkedCheck with the townDaufuskie's beach is unincorporated Beaufort County and we have not confirmed a dog ordinance for it — we would rather say so than invent one. Assume leashed and under control, watch for posted signage, and check with the County.We have not confirmed a rule for this beach · Source
CharlestonBeachwalker Park (Kiawah)Bring the dogOff-leash OKThe hours, in full1 March – 15 OctoberEvery hourLeashed only16 October – 28 FebruaryEvery hourOff-leash OKThe only public access to Kiawah, and the rest of the island is private. Charleston County requires a leash and clean-up; the Town of Kiawah adds the season on top. Off-leash still means you stay with the dog and carry a lead, and you leash up if Beach Patrol or another beachgoer asks.Not yet checked against the ordinance itself · Source