One of the most popular off-leash dog beaches on the Gold Coast is The Spit Dog Beach. Located at the northern end of the Gold Coast near Seaworld, this wonderful sandy beach is very popular with locals and visitors alike, especially four-legged ones. Find out more about visiting The Spit Dog Beach…
Location of The Spit Dog Beach
The Spit Dog Beach is located on the northern end of the Gold Coast, on the ocean-facing side of the Spit in Southport. It’s close to the Seaworld theme park.
The off-leash beach area starts from the access point opposite the entrance of Muriel Henchman Park. It extends all the way north to the seaway rock groyne. The total length of the off-leash area is an impressive 1.5km.
When Are Dogs Allowed on The Spit Dog Beach?
There are no time restrictions for dogs accessing the Spit Dog Beach. Dogs are allowed off-leash on the sand all day long, all year round. There’s even a sign stating that you may encounter off-leash dogs in this area…
Tips for Visiting The Spit Dog Beach
The easiest spot to park, especially on sunny weekend days like when we visited, is in the large carpark near the Seaway Kiosk. There’s plenty of spaces and no parking fees.
There are two access paths here, near the sand bypass pumping jetty and at the southern end of the carpark. There’s a convenient wash down area with hoses next to the access path next to the sand bypass pumping jetty. The downside is this section of the beach is extra busy.
Note that dogs are not allowed up on the sand bypass pumping jetty (a popular access point for surfers), but they are allowed underneath it and either side of it.
Dog-Friendly Cafes Near The Spit Dog Beach
The other convenient aspect to parking in this carpark is that it’s just a stroll to the Seaway Kiosk. As well as food for humans, the kiosk serves up doggy ice cream. Flavours on offer include peanut butter & bacon, strawberry and salmon.
Choose between take-away and dining in. While dogs are not allowed on the new deck area, there are a few dog-friendly outdoor tables next to the entrance of the cafe, plus plans to build an additional dog-friendly deck. The kiosk is open daily from 7am until late afternoon.
What Else to Do at The Spit with a Dog
The Spit is also home to the Federation Walk Coastal Reserve. This 3km-long reserve contains one of the few remaining stretches of established dunes on the Gold Coast.
A network of trails criss-crosses the reserve, including access paths to the off-leash dog beaches. Dogs are allowed on-leash on the walking paths, outside of playgrounds. Perhaps go for a walk before or after your visit to the beach?
Another great walking path is along the Spit Foreshore, at the tip of the Spit. There’s a paved pedestrian path that’s particularly popular for sunset walks.
Alternative Dog-Friendly Beaches
If the waves at The Spit Dog Beach are too frightening for your dog (after all, swimming is not advised for humans), or the beach is simply too busy, there is another quieter, calmer alternative nearby.
Just head to the opposite side of the Spit, where dogs are allowed off-leash on the eastern side of the enclosed Marine Stadium. Dogs are permitted off-leash in between Muriel Henchman Park and Doug Jennings Park at the northern tip.
Thanks to the sheltered waters of the stadium, it’s a lot less intimidating for less confident and smaller dogs.
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About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.