Are Dogs Allowed on Charleston Beaches?

Taking your four-legged family member along for a day at the beach might sound like a great idea, but before you go, know the beach rules for dogs. At many times of the year, especially during the busy summer months, dogs aren’t allowed on the beach without a leash. Here’s our guide for taking your dog to Charleston area beaches.

Isle of Palms

Dogs are allowed off leash on the beach between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. April 1 to Sept 14 and then 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. Sept. 15 to March 31. At other times, dogs have to be leashed – even if they’re splashing in the water. And pet owners should clean up after their dogs. All dogs belonging to Isle of Palms residents must have a current City of Isle of Palms dog license; visitors are not required to have a dog license.

IOP does have a dog park behind the Recreation Department at 24 Twenty-Eighth Ave.

Folly Beach

Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 1 to Sept. 30. At all other times, dogs must be leashed and under voice control. Owners should clean up any pet waste.

Kiawah Island

Dogs visiting Kiawah Island must be leashed year round. There are two off-leash dog areas but dogs must be under voice command: the first area stretches from Beachwalker County Park for 1,000 yards to the west (toward Captain Sam’s inlet) and the second area is located between the Beach Club and the Ocean Course pedestrian beach access. Dogs may be off leash from Dec. 1 to March 15 on the central portion of the beach between Beachwalker County Park and the Beach Club.

Alligators are common on Kiawah Island so for your dog’s safety, don’t let him swim in or play near the edge of ponds.

Sullivan’s Island

All dogs on the island, including residents, day visitors and vacation renters, must have dog permit from the town. Permits are $35 per dog ($25 for residents) and are issued at Town Hall, 1610 Middle St. Owners should have proof of rabies vaccine.

Dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach 5-10 a.m. May 1 to Sept. 30 and from 5 a.m. to noon Oct. 1 to April 30. From May 1 to Sept. 30, no dogs are allowed on the beach between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Pet waste bags are available near the entrance of each beach access path.

Pet safety tips at the beach:

Remember, if it’s hot at the beach for you, your dog will also be extra toasty in her fur coat. So limit the amount of time your dog is on the beach.
Take fresh water so your dog can get a drink; salt water isn’t safe for dogs.
Don’t leave your dog in the car. Within a matter of minutes, the car temperatures soars and your pet is in grave danger.

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Charleston FAQ's

Best Places to Stay and Hotels in Charleston?

Choosing a hotel and where to stay in Charleston all depends on your budget and goals. Do you want to stay Downtown, at the beach or in the outer areas such as North Charleston where you have to drive to get everywhere? For more help on deciding: https://travelerofcharleston.com/articles/hotels/

What Beach in Charleston is Best?

Charleston has 3 main public beaches which are: Folly, Isle of Palms and Sullivans. Each beach has it’s own atmosphere. The most common beach that people visit is Folly Beach and then Isle of Palms followed by Sullivans Island. For more info on Charleston’s beaches visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/

What are some historical things to do in Charleston?

Charleston, SC is full of historical things to do. Everything from museums, to public sites and free landmark sites such as Rainbow Row and the Battery can be seen. For more info on Charleston’s top historical sites visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/places-to-learn-about-charleston-sc-history/

What to do with the family and kids in Charleston?

There are many things that will keep the kids and family entertained and educated in Charleston. There are historic sites such as Fort Sumter, a Children’s Museum, Aquarium and the USS Yorktown…a WWII era aircraft carrier you can tour. For more info visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-family-fun-activities/

Are you a Charleston First Time Visitor? Checkout the guide

There’s so many things you could do in Charleston it can be overwhelming. We recommend that first time visitors, checkout the ultimate first-time visitor guide here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-first-time-visitors-guide/

Charleston things to do in the Spring season?

Spring in Charleston, SC is an amazing time of year to visit. The flowers are blooming and the weather is mild and sunny. For more info, check-out our spring guide to Charleston here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-springtime-in-charleston/

Charleston things to do in the Summer season?

Summer in Charleston is a great time to visit. There’s plenty of things to keep you busy and visiting the beach will probably….or should be on your short-list. Also water-based activities and tours are popular. Checkout this summer guide to Charleston for more info:

Our 10 Favorite Summer Activities in Charleston

Charleston things to do in the Fall season?

Fall is one of the best times to visit. The weather cools down a bit and the skies are typically blue and clear. In addition there are many great events, festivals and the large crowds of summer have gone back to school or work. For more info on visiting in the fall, checkout this article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-12-things-to-do-fall/

What should I not miss in Charleston?

There are so many great things to do that it’s difficult to narrow the list down. This article does a great job with figuring out the must do things to do in Charleston

7 Can’t Miss Reasons to Visit Charleston, SC Now

How many days do I need in Charleston?

The consensus is a minimum of 3-days is needed to settle in and experience Charleston. For instance, many people take 2 days exploring downtown and another day visiting sites outside of downtown such as the plantations, Angel Oak Tree or beaches. Checkout this page for a list of tours and attractions:

Charleston’s Top Tours & Attractions | Things to do

Is Charleston a walkable city? Do I need a car?

Downtown Charleston was made for walking and for sure one of the best way to soak up and experience the history first-hand. This article goes over getting around Charleston with and without a car as well:

Getting Around Charleston, SC

Is Savannah or Charleston better?

We’re of course partial to Charleston, but here’s the truth. There are many similarities however there are some differences in our opinion:

Both cities are historic and beautiful.
Both cities are extremely walkable. Savannah, with it’s park-like squares maybe more walkable than Charleston.
Charleston has a more established and food scene with many more options.
Charleston has better hotels and shopping.
Both cities have equally good tours.
Charleston has better beach options. Savannah has Tybee which is great, however it’s 1 beach vibe versus Charleston which has 3 beaches with different vibes. Checkout this Charleston beach guide article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/
In Savannah you can walk with alcoholic beverages on the street. This is not allowed in Charleston. This can be good or bad depending on your stance.
Savannah is more affordable.
TourPass offers all-inclusive passes in both cities: https://tourpass.com