The Hawaiian Humane Society compiled a list of dog-friendly beaches. Learn more about how the designation was determined. For a list of dog friendly parks, click here. Read more about heat exhaustion in dogs.



In order for the community to continue to support sharing the shoreline with dogs, great care must be taken to ensure responsibility and respect for all beach goers. Owners are responsible for their dog’s actions. The law requires that all dogs wear their county-issued license tag as identification and that pet waste must be disposed of. Violations can results in citations and fines issued by the police.

Dogs should never be left in cars unattended as temperatures can rise quickly. Call 911 to report any issue when people or animals are in immediate danger.





Beach Etiquette for Dog Owners

Dogs must be on a leash at all times.

Take your dog home at the first sign of unfriendly behavior.

Puppies and dogs should be vaccinated and healthy.

Keep close supervision of your dog.

Dogs in estrus/heat should be left at home.

Pick up and dispose of your dog’s waste.

Ensure your dog wears his County-issued license.

Dog Safety at the Beach

When taking your dog to the beach, make sure there is plenty of fresh water and shade.



Dogs can get sunburned just like humans, so limit your dog’s exposure to the hot sun and apply a zinc-free sunblock to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside.



Be careful not to let your dog spend too much time on hot sand or asphalt. Dogs can burn their feet just as easily as we can.



Cool ocean water is very tempting to a dog. Don’t allow your dog to drink seawater. This can cause diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration.



Check with lifeguards for daily water conditions e.g. riptides. Dogs can be easy targets for jellyfish.



Swimming is a great form of exercise for dogs, but don’t let them overdo it.



Running on a beach is strenuous exercise. If your dog is out of shape, don’t encourage him to run on the sand.



The beach can present many hazards for you dog. Things to watch our for include boats, fishhooks, dead fish, garbage, and broken glass. Lava rock can be very sharp and can easily cut your dog’s feet.