Keeping your dog active and healthy is an important part of dog-ownership. Walking with your dog on the beach is a great way to bond with your best friend, help to relieve your stress and keep doggy active and mentally stimulated. Here is our list of top doggy-friendly beaches in SA’s major beach cities – Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth:
Cape Town –
Beaches which allow dogs off lead include:
- Clifton 1st
- Beta beach in Bakoven
- Sunset in Sea Point
- Froggy Pond
- The middle section of Hout Bay beach
- Long beach Kommetjie
- Long beach Simon’s Town
Beaches where only dogs on leashes are allowed:
- Graaff’s Tidal Pool
- Capricorn
- Nine Miles
- Danger
- Milton
- Milton tidal pool
Beaches where dogs are allowed before 9am and after 6pm between November and April include:
- Big Bay
- Blaauwberg
- Camps Bay
- Clifton 4th
- Llandudno
- Melkbosstrand
- Milnerton, at the lighthouse
- Milnerton Lagoon
- Saunders Rock, both the tidal pool and the beach
- Three Anchor Bay
- Sunrise
- Mnandi
DURBAN:
- Salmon Bay (Durban North)
- Tiffany’s Beach, Salt Rock
- Garvies
- Glenashley
- La Mercy
- Trafalgar
- uShaka
- Vetches
- Durban Beachfront Promenade – on leash only
- Brighton Beach, the Bluff
- Treasure Beach, the Bluff
- Umhlanga Promenade – on leash only
- Virginia Beach
- Christmas Bay, South Coast
- Umkomaas, South Coast
PORT ELIZABETH
Please note that Port Elizabeth has very strict rules regarding dogs on beaches. Dogs must be on lead at all times in public areas and can only be permitted at the following beaches:
Please note –
Owners must dispose of their pets’ faeces or face receiving a hefty fine
Dogs are welcome on the Beach within designated areas
- St. Georges Strand area – outside bathing area only
- Wells Estate area – back of dune areas & cycle way only
- Blue Water Bay car park area – outside bathing area only
- Swartkops River Mouth & Beach Area – whole area
- Brighton Beach – from Swartkops River Mouth to Pier
- Kings Beach – Grassed Areas only
- Pollock Beach – Grassed Area only
- Pipe to Flatrock Area – Beach and Grassed Areas
- Maitlands Sea – Outside bathing area only, excluding dune sands.
*To confirm information, please check with your local municipality for up to date pet control by laws
*This information is accurate based on findings from our sources and at time of publishing, 2 September 2016. Sources: Cape Town Tourism | http://www.capetown.travel. The South Arican Pet Friendly Directory, http://www.petfriendly.co.za/ | Nelson Mandela Bay Municpality, http://www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za/NewsView.aspx?ID=1082.