Table of contents
- Introduction To Dog Friendly Beaches on Long Island
- 1. Lighthouse Beach
- 2. Sailors Haven Beach
- 3. Watch Hill Beach
- 4. Barrett Beach / Talisman
- 5. Wilderness Beach
- 6. Tiana Beach
- 7. Ponquogue Beach
- 8. Meschutt Beach
- 9. Cupsogue Beach
- 10. Pikes Beach
- 11. Two Mile Hollow Beach
- 12. Main Beach
- Conclusion About Dog Friendly Beaches on Long Island
- Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Friendly Beaches on Long Island
- Related Articles
Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
Introduction To Dog Friendly Beaches on Long Island
If you’re looking for information on the best dog friendly beaches on Long Island, then you’ve definitely come to the right place.
Long Island is a large, densely populated island in the southeastern part of New York State.
It has a population of around 7.7 million people. And it contains the two New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens.
Long Island is famous for its world-class wineries, fresh local produce, fantastic seafood, and gorgeous, sparkling white sand beaches.
At its most distant points, Long Island is 23 miles wide and 118 miles long.
And it has a staggering 1,600 miles of shoreline!
There are lots of dog friendly beaches on Long Island. You just need to know where to look!
So come with us to explore the best Long Island dog friendly beaches!
1. Lighthouse Beach
- Bay Shore, Fire Island, NY 11706
- Open to dogs during the off-season only
- Enjoy Lighthouse Beach with your dog from the day after Labor Day through March 14
- Dogs must be kept on a leash and under control at all times
- Leashes must be no longer than six feet in length
- Large beach area for you and your pup to explore
Lighthouse Beach is on a small section of the Fire Island National Seashore, a beautiful stretch of barrier island on the south shore of Long Island.
The beach is adjacent to Robert Moses State Park. Though please note that dogs are not allowed in the state park.
Fire Island Lighthouse is very close by.
Lighthouse Beach is certainly a delightful pet-friendly Long Island beach!
Website: Lighthouse Beach on Fire Island
2. Sailors Haven Beach
- Fire Island, NY 11770
- Open to dogs during the off-season only
- Enjoy Sailors Haven Beach with your dog from the day after Labor Day through March 14
- Dogs must be kept on a leash and under control at all times
- Leashes must be no longer than six feet in length
Sailors Haven is home to one of the best known areas of Fire Island National Seashore – the incredible Sunken Forest.
This is a beautiful beach with wonderfully soft sand and crystal clear water.
Your pup is sure to have a great time at Sailors Haven. It’s one of the many Long Island beaches that allow dogs.
Website: Sailors Haven Beach on Fire Island
3. Watch Hill Beach
- Patchogue, NY 11772
- Open to dogs during the off-season only
- Enjoy Watch Hill Beach with your dog from the day after Labor Day through March 14
- Dogs must be kept on a leash and under control at all times
- Leashes must be no longer than six feet in length
- Beach accessible by Watch Hill Ferry, private boat, and foot ONLY – no vehicle access
Watch Hill is located on the western edge of the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness.
It is located directly across the Great South Bay from Patchogue, Long Island.
This part of Fire Island is a truly beautiful wilderness area.
You and your furry friend are sure to have an amazing time here. It really is one of the best dog beaches on Long Island!
Website: Watch Hill Beach on Fire Island
4. Barrett Beach / Talisman
- Sayville, NY 11782
- Open to dogs during the off-season only
- Enjoy Barrett Beach / Talisman with your dog from the day after Labor Day through March 14
- Dogs must be kept on a leash and under control at all times
- Leashes must be no longer than six feet in length
- Beach only accessible by private boat and on foot, or by charter ferry service from Patchogue or Sayville – no vehicle access
The Barrett Beach / Talisman area is a true boater’s paradise.
It’s located near the center of Fire Island National Seashore, and is just across the Great South Bay from Bayport and Sayville on Long Island.
This is a truly stunning beach, with crystal clear blue waters. Perfect for your pup!
Visitors to this beach need to use the bathroom facilities closest to the ocean beach. The Talisman restrooms are currently closed.
Website: Barrett Beach / Talisman on Fire Island
5. Wilderness Beach
- County Road 46, Shirley, NY 11967
- Open to dogs during the off-season only
- Enjoy Wilderness Beach with your dog from the day after Labor Day through March 14
- Dogs must be kept on a leash and under control at all times
- Leashes must be no longer than six feet in length
- Just across from the Fire Island Wilderness Visitor Center
Wilderness Beach is located 71 miles east of central New York.
This beautiful, unspoilt beach is just across from the Fire Island Wilderness Visitor Center.
The Visitor Center includes a ranger contact station, exhibit space, and second floor viewing area.
The parking lot for the beach is in Smith Point County Park. It’s located just a couple hundred meters from the beach.
Wilderness Beach is a fantastic Long Island beach to take your pup to for some fun, exercise and recreation!
Website: Wilderness Beach on Fire Island
6. Tiana Beach
- 90 Dune Road, Hampton Bays, NY 11946
- Open to dogs during the off-season only
- Enjoy Tiana Beach with your dog from October 2 through March 31
- Dogs must be kept on a leash and under control at all times
- Beach closes daily at 9pm
- Amenities include picnic areas overlooking the beach, showers, restrooms and a deck with shaded seating
- Tiana Beach doesn’t often get crowded
Tiana Beach is located on Westhampton Island, across the Ponquogue Bridge from upmarket Hampton Bays.
It’s part of the town of Southampton, NY.
Tiana Beach is less crowded and more secluded than Cupsogue Beach, at the western end of Westhampton Island.
This small, but beautiful beach spans 1,000 feet on the ocean side of the island.
Tiana Beach is a fantastic place to take your furry friend and is one of the best dog friendly beaches on Long Island.
Website: Tiana Beach in Hampton Bays
7. Ponquogue Beach
- 280 Dune Road, Hampton Bays, NY 11946
- Open to dogs during the off-season only
- Enjoy Ponquogue Beach with your dog from October 2 through March 31
- Dogs must be kept on a leash and under control at all times
- Beach closes daily at 9pm
- Amenities include a pavilion with restrooms and a concession
Ponquogue Beach is on Westhampton Island, adjacent to Tiana Beach.
It’s a gorgeous, wide ocean beach, with parking and a pavilion. There are restrooms and a concession in the pavilion.
Note that there is a little bit of an undertow at Ponquogue Beach. So keep a close eye on your furball when you’re there, and only allow them to swim if they’re a good swimmer.
However, don’t let that put you off. Ponquogue Beach is a real gem, and somewhere that you and your pup will want to return to again and again.
This expansive stretch of white sand beach is a truly stunning dog beach on Long Island!
Website: Ponquogue Beach in Hampton Bays
8. Meschutt Beach
- Canal Road & Old North Highway, Hampton Bays, NY 11946
- Dogs are allowed on Meschutt Beach all year round!
- Dogs must be kept on a leash and under control at all times
- Beach can become congested on weekends, so aim to get there early, or later in the day, to avoid the crowds
- Bring your own doggie waste bags and plenty of fresh water
- Beautiful sunsets, with fantastic views of the light reflecting off the bay
Meschutt Beach County Park is a narrow strip of calm bay beach.
It’s situated on the shores of the gorgeous Great Peconic Bay in Hampton Bays, just to the east of the Shinnecock Canal.
Parking is available, but if you’re not a Suffolk County resident, or the holder of a green keycard, then it can be quite expensive.
There are some good facilities here, with a picnic area, a children’s playground, and the Meschutt Beach Hut food concession.
Unlike many other Hampton Bays beaches, dogs are allowed on Meschutt Beach all year round.
This makes Meschutt Beach a fantastic dog-friendly Long Island beach!
Website: Meschutt Beach in Hampton Bays
9. Cupsogue Beach
- 975 Dune Road, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
- Dogs are allowed on Cupsogue Beach all year round!
- Dogs must be kept on a leash and under control at all times
- Excellent facilities, including showers, restrooms, changing facilities, and a snack bar
- Special events are held at Cupsogue Beach from time to time
- A variety of recreational activities for everyone to enjoy
Cupsogue Beach County Park is a beautiful 296-acre barrier beach park.
It’s located at the far western end of Westhampton Island, with the narrow Moriches Inlet separating it from Fire Island.
Cupsogue Beach has an inner and an outer beach area. You’ll have to keep your furry friend in the outer beach area, and remember that your pup will need to be on a leash at all times.
The excellent amenities can all be found in the pavilion area.
The gorgeous soft white sand and crystal clear blue waters make this Atlantic Ocean locale a fabulous Long Island pet-friendly beach!
Website: Cupsogue Beach on Westhampton Island
10. Pikes Beach
- 769 Dune Road, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
- Open to dogs during the off-season only
- Enjoy Pikes Beach with your dog from October 2 through March 31
- Dogs must be kept on a leash and under control at all times
- Beach closes daily at 9pm
- Breathtaking views from Pikes Beach
Pikes Beach is on Westhampton Island, just along from Cupsogue Beach and the West Hampton Dunes.
It’s a truly magical spot, that rarely gets crowded. The views from this iconic beach are simply breathtaking!
There are portable restrooms available throughout the year.
Note that there is very little shade at Pikes Beach. So if you’re planning on spending a few hours here with your furball, then make sure to bring a sun umbrella or a tent for shelter.
You’ll also need doggie waste bags and plenty of water.
Pikes Beach is one of the many beautiful Long Island beaches that allow dogs!
Website: Pikes Beach on Westhampton Island
11. Two Mile Hollow Beach
- 50 Two Mile Hollow Road, East Hampton, NY 11937
- Dogs are allowed on Two Mile Hollow Beach all year round!
- Off-leash Long Island beach for much of the year
- Dogs not allowed on beach between 9am and 6pm from May 15 through September 15
- Must be leashed when within 300 feet of any road end outside of these hours (May 15 through September 15 only)
- Beautiful, quiet, unspoilt stretch of beach
Two Mile Hollow Beach is in well-heeled, leafy East Hampton Village. And it’s just 7 miles from Napeague State Park.
For much of the year, your pup is allowed to be off-leash on this gorgeous, sandy beach.
However, there are restrictions in the busy summer season, from May 15 through September 15. See the bullet points above for details.
This is a beautiful wide beach, with lovely soft sand. And because of its size, it can often feel like you’ve got the beach to yourself (and your furball) – especially in the off season.
A Quiet, Relaxing, Dog Friendly Beach in Long Island
There are restrooms here at the beach, and doggie waste bags are provided as well.
So if you and your pooch are looking for a quiet, relaxing, dog friendly beach in Long Island that’s away from the crowds, Two Mile Hollow Beach is the place for you!
Website: Two Mile Hollow Beach in East Hampton Village
12. Main Beach
- 104 Ocean Avenue, East Hampton, NY 11937
- Dogs are allowed on East Hampton Main Beach all year round!
- Off-leash Long Island beach for much of the year
- Dogs not allowed on beach between 9am and 6pm from May 15 through September 15
- Must be leashed when within 300 feet of any road end outside of these hours (May 15 through September 15 only)
- A boardwalk with fantastic views and lots of benches where you and Fido can sit, relax, and watch the surf
Main Beach in East Hampton is just 3 miles west of Two Mile Hollow Beach.
This stunning dog friendly beach on Long Island was rated the no. 1 beach in the USA in 2013.
You get the best of both worlds at this fabulous beach. For a leisurely stroll with your pup, head towards the rugged coastline. There you’ll be able to search for seashells and rocks.
One Of The Best Dog Friendly Beaches On Long Island
Or if you and Fido are feeling a bit more adventurous, then head into the crystal clear waters for a swim.
Just be aware that sometimes the riptides here can be quite strong and may not be suitable for canine swimming. So do check the water current report for the day that you’re visiting the beach.
Beach parking is limited to only 40 cars per day. So be sure to arrive early to find a good parking spot.
East Hampton Main Beach is a wonderful beach for you and your furball to explore. It’s definitely one of the best dog friendly beaches on Long Island!
Website: Main Beach in East Hampton Village
Conclusion About Dog Friendly Beaches on Long Island
Though there are usually restrictions, there are plenty of Long Island dog friendly beaches.
Whether you’re looking for a beach with lots of life and a great atmosphere, such as Cupsogue Beach. Or somewhere a bit quieter, away from the crowds, like Tiana Beach or Two Mile Hollow Beach.
You’re sure to find what you and Fido are looking for on beautiful, picturesque Long Island.
We hope that we’ve introduced you to some of the best dog beaches on Long Island!
If you’ve enjoyed finding out all about the best dog friendly beaches in Maine, then take a look at our comprehensive round-up of some of the best dog beaches in the US
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Friendly Beaches on Long Island
There are lots of Long Island beaches that allow dogs. Some of the best are Lighthouse Beach on Fire Island, Ponquogue Beach in Hampton Bays and East Hampton Main Beach.
Yes, Fire Island is dog friendly. Dogs are allowed on most Fire Island beaches from the day after Labor Day through March 14. Do check on official websites for up-to-date rules and regulations, though.
Yes, dogs are allowed on Cupsogue Beach all year round. Dogs must be kept on a leash and under control at all times.
