If you’re searching for a coastal retreat in a beautiful location to visit with your dog, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, is the perfect destination. Nestled on the Crystal Coast, this charming beach town offers a blend of sun, surf, and Southern hospitality, and is an ideal spot for dog lovers. We visited in what was more of an “off season” (late March), and can’t recommend it enough. The weather was PERFECT, the beaches nearly empty, and it felt like we had paradise all to ourselves.
Suggestions below with asterisks* were things we did and loved, and the rest are suggestions found online, to provide even more options for you and your pup.
Dog-Friendly Things To Do
- Day Trip to Shackleford Banks*: For an unforgettable adventure, take a ferry ride with Island Express Ferry Service to Shackleford Banks. This 25-minute boat ride from Beaufort welcomes leashed dogs for a $7 fee round trip. Once on the island, you and your pup can explore over 8 miles of pristine beaches, search for seashells, and observe the famous wild horses from a safe distance of at least 50 feet. Remember to bring essentials like water, snacks, and waste bags. See my Reel here for a quick recap of our trip, with more tips in the caption.
- Atlantic Beach*: The soft sanded, shell-filled beach is dog-friendly, allowing leashed dogs to enjoy the beach year-round. It’s a great place for a walk or to chase a ball during low tide.
- Fort Macon State Park*: Explore nature trails and the historic Antebellum-era fort with your leashed dog. While dogs aren’t allowed inside the historic buildings, the surrounding areas provide plenty of space for exploration.
- Crystal Coast Brewing Company: Relax with a craft beer in the brewery’s fenced outdoor area, which welcomes dogs and even offers treats for your furry friend.
- Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area: Adjacent to the North Carolina Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores, this 265-acre maritime forest offers two scenic trails perfect for leashed dogs. The Roosevelt Trail, a 1.25-mile path, winds through dunes and marshes, providing a moderate challenge and opportunities to spot local wildlife. For a shorter stroll, the 0.7-mile Alice Hoffman Trail offers a gentle loop with beautiful views, ideal for dogs and owners of all activity levels. Benches along the trails provide spots to rest and enjoy the serene surroundings
Dog-Friendly Dining
- Crab’s Claw*: As the only oceanfront, dog-friendly restaurant in the southern Outer Banks, Crab’s Claw offers Caribbean-inspired dishes and even a special dog menu for your pup to enjoy. We ordered Roswell the “House Made Peanut Butter Bacon Pup Ice Cream with Dog Biscuits” and he was in heaven. We ate on the upper deck area and had the best view of the beach and ocean, with amazing service as well.
- Idle Hour Biergarten*: With a small but fun outdoor dining area, we ate snacks and ordered drinks on a comfy outdoor swing while Roswell sniffed around the sand. We even got lucky and enjoyed live music for most of our visit. We loved the laid-back atmosphere, different sunny and shaded seating options, and dog-loving staff.
- Molly’s Beachside Bar & Grill: Located at the DoubleTree by Hilton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront Hotel Pier, Molly’s welcomes dogs at their outdoor tables, serving up a menu of burgers, tacos, wraps, and more.
- Shark Shack Atlantic Beach: Enjoy seafood dishes, burgers, and hot dogs at this casual eatery with a spacious, dog-friendly outdoor seating area.
Dog-Friendly Accommodations
While researching where to stay, I noticed so many beautiful homes in the area, most of them managed by Vacasa. We ended up receiving a very generous gifted stay through Vacasa, but I found them first through extensive research and noticing all of the amazing properties they had in their portfolio, and knew I had to reach out.
My expectations of the home were exceeded – if you are visiting Atlantic Beach and need a place to stay with your family or friends, I hope the home we stayed in is available for you! If not, I know there are plenty more, see all options here.
The property felt like home away from home, but way better 🙂 It had everything we needed, including a fully stocked kitchen (which is why we only needed to eat out a couple of times!). I don’t know what I loved more, the ocean views, the beautiful interior design, the backyard with a pool that I spent hours soaking up the sun in, or the location. The home was right in the middle of everything, while being nestled on a quiet and welcoming street right on the beach. We walked just a few steps across the street to the dog-friendly beach multiple times a day.
Booking with Vacasa was such a positive experience. Staying at a professionally managed vacation rental definitely has its perks – from professional cleaning to guest services to a wide range of rental options – we will certainly be booking through them again. They have over 38,000 homes throughout North America, Belize and Costa Rica so I know we have endless options. Thank you Vacasa and Atlantic Beach for the most amazing week!
