Florida Beach's Sunbathing Beauties - Of The Dog Variety

ON THE BEACH
Feast your eyes, these foxy beach goers who are not wearing bikinis! Well, with all that fur who needs one anyway. This month our Pomeranians Gul'Dan and Sophie went on vacation to Orlando, Florida with us and their Weiner Dog buddy Munch. We made a doggie vacation day at Cocoa Beach before leaving. Here's our review of the doggie beach section at Cocoa Beach, FL and some beach time dog glamour shots. 

CANOVA BEACH DOG PARK
At Canova Beach Dog Park you can bring your friendly leashed dog on the beach. Address of the beach is 3299 Highway A1A, Indian Harbour Beach, FL, which is a little over an hour from Orlando. It was a far trip but worth it. The beach itself is clean and well maintained. The issue, like you'll find with any dog friendly place, is your experience is dependent on the other owners and dogs at the park.

Unfortunately, we did encounter a neglectful owner but we tried to not let it ruin our experience. A couple strolled in with a young and extremely active intact lab mix. Which they essential ignored during their time enjoying the beach together lovey dovey, while leaving others on the look out for their dog. Everything from sticking his face in our food, getting our dogs pumped up, shaking all over us, and pooping all over.... Hopefully you don't encounter that but don't let it completely discourage as you will find these people at any dog friendly place. The dog was a nice dog but not trained or supervised, not his fault - rant over.

Otherwise, you will find friendly dogs of all shapes and sizes. Owners were generally very nice and conversational. The pom poms enjoyed their visit to the beach. We went on a nice but overcast day, in the early hours to avoid some of the more direct heat. You want to be careful bringing a dog to a beach when it is hot, especially if your pet has any medical conditions and be alert for any signs of overheating. Have plenty of water and keep them cool with dips in the ocean. If you have a breed that doesn't do well in the heat, its best to not come until later in the evening or very early in morning. Also be mindful of short hair. There was someone with a white shaved poodle and although he might be cooler, he was at risk for sunburn! Keep a little more length on your dogs coat, about an inch, if you plan on being beach goers. I tried making them wear Pawz doggie shoes to add feet protection but they weren't having it.

​We brought all of the dogs out in the water to try swimming. Sophie has never swam before and both of them were nervous. We don't know if Gul'Dan ever tried but it didn't look like it! Gul'Dan kept doggie paddling even when he wasn't in the water in an attempt to get to shore. Even with the overcast and breeze it was still hot so we made them swim several times just to get nice and wet. Gul'Dan preferred the warm sand to the water and was insistent on sleeping in it instead of the blankets.

There is free parking and the park is free, although there are not a ton of parking spaces. I imagine on weekends this place is crowded with locals. Bathrooms are onsite right in this dog section, in addition to a hose area for dogs and humans. There is a trash can for dog waste but not until you exit the beach again, which was a little frustrating, no trash cans on the beach itself.

Across the street you'll find a little place called Coasters Pub next to the Shoprite. It has a dog friendly patio! The food was excellent and well priced. Since its a pub there were a lot of drink options to choose from. The beach and lunch combo made for a perfect dog friendly day. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich which was very good. 

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BEACH PHOTOS