Dog-Friendly Destin

63.5 million families in the U.S have dogs. Almost 78% take their dogs on family vacations every year. As comforting as it is to have your furbaby with you, it adds another level of stress when planning. We’ve put together some information that will help you navigate Destin with the pup. 

First and most important, dogs are not allowed on the beach in Destin. The City of Destin can ticket you if you are caught. Fines range from $100 to $300. Don’t worry though, as Destin is very dog friendly. 

Dog Frendly Hotels

Destin has several great pet-friendly hotels to choose from. The following are just a couple.

The Henderson Beach Resort

The Henderson Beach Resort allows 2 dogs up to 85 pounds each on property. They charge a $150.00 non-refundable pet fee. When booking make sure to mention you are bringing your furry child with you. You will choose between a hotel room, suite, or condo. The resort will assign you a pet-friendly room with thoughtful amenities like pet bedding, food & water bowls, and waste bags. Click here to see their Pet Policy in full. 

Website: https://www.hendersonbeachresort.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HendersonBeach

Phone: (855) 741-2777

Address: 200 Henderson Resort Way, Destin, FL.

Village Inn Destin

Village Inn Destin allows dogs of any size. There is a $25.00 per night pet fee.  You must have a crate for your dog. The Village Inn has 100 rooms – smoking and non-smoking. There is free wifi and breakfast. Each room has a refrigerator and microwave. Rooms range from King with a sleeper sofa to two queens. Easy walk to pet-friendly restaurants and HarborWalk Village.

Website: https://villageinndestin.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Village-Inn-of-Destin-470985086289975

Phone: (850) 837-7413

Address: 215 Harbor Blvd., Destin, FL

Dog Friendly Vacation Rentals

When searching for dog-friendly vacation rentals, research will be your best friend.  

Like hotels, some will charge an extra pet charge and some will not. However, read through the rental agreement fees so you will not be blindsided by outrageous charges. Compare them to other pet-friendly rental fees. 

Another consideration is pet size. Some rentals only allow dogs up to a certain size. Always be honest about your dog’s size and follow the rules.  You would hate for something to happen and then have to answer why sweet, little “20-pound” Petal is actually 150 pounds! 

If you use vacation rental sites like VRBO, TripAdvisor, or Airbnb,  there is a filter to help you find properties that allow pets. This will weed out hundreds of properties that don’t allow them. They will also give you honest reviews on each property. 

Did you know that pet owners can buy Vacation Rental Insurance for their pets? It’s true. One of the companies we found while researching this little nugget is Old Harbor Inn.  They do have good reviews. However, do your own research and make sure it’s right for you. 

Once you find a rental, be meticulous about the pet information/rules.  Always get it in writing in an email, from the rental company, what their pet policy is, and then reconfirm closer to your date. Again, cover yourself but and know the rules. 

Are Destin Beaches Dog Friendly?

As we mentioned right off the bat, dogs are not allowed on any Destin beach. However, there are lots of great places to take your fur baby for walks. One is Henderson Beach, State Park. There is a sandy dune trail that is a mile long. Owners must acquire a permit. All dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. If you forget waste bags (we all have at one time or another!), there are some located at the beginning of the trail. Please make sure to grab one or two and clean up after your dog. For more information visit their website. 

Does your dog love the water? Well, if they do, you’re in luck! There are several watercraft rental companies in Destin that allow you to bring them along.  Places such as Crab Island Cruises, Dockside Watersports, and Wet-N-Wild Watersports are all happy to have them. Just make sure to mention it when you book!

Of course, being on a leash all of the time is no fun. A puppy needs to run, romp and play. The City of Destin has one of the best dog parks in the area. The Nancy Weidenhamer Dog Park has 3 acres of green space. There are areas for both large dogs and smaller dogs and offers benches with shade trees and water fountains. The park is open from dawn to dusk. Click here for more information. 

Destin’s Dog Friendly Resturants

Looking for somewhere that will welcome your furry family member?  Destin has many pet-friendly restaurants and food options.  Here are 3 of our pet-friendly favorites.

Boshamps

One of the best restaurants with a view in Destin. Located on Destin Harbor,  Boshamps welcomes your pet out on the patio. These are tall tables, so Petal may not feel included. However, the staff brings water bowls and treats. Boshamps employees get rave reviews from other pet owners on how well their pet was treated. 

Website: https://boshamps.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Boshamps

Phone: (850) 424-7406

Address: 414 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 

World of Beer

Located in front of the Destin Commons, it may not be one that pet owners would think of when it comes to pet-friendly restaurants. World of Beer has a nice big patio. In the winter they bring out heaters so you can still bring your furbabies. Pets will be met with a water bowl and their own menu! Bowls of rice with or without chicken or steak will make Petal feel special… and full!  

Website: https://worldofbeer.com/locations/destin/#

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wobdestin

Phone: (850) 424-7939

Address: 4287 Legendary Dr, Destin, FL 

Rhumcay Island Grille

Located in the HarborWalk Village, Rhumcay Island Grille has an outside patio with a killer sunset view. They will welcome you and your furry family member out on the patio with their own bowl! Go for brunch, lunch, or dinner. They also offer a kid’s menu. Make sure to also have a walk down the HarborWalk Boardwalk and see all it has to offer. 

Website: http://www.rhumcay.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RhumcayIslandGrilleHarborwalkDestin

Phone: (850) 353-2169

Address: 2 Harbor Blvd #100 Destin, FL 

Just because the beaches are closed to pets, doesn’t mean that Destin isn’t a pet-friendly destination. These are only a fraction of places that will welcome you and your sweet fur-baby. Hope it has pointed you in a helpful direction so you can start planning your perfect vacation in Destin!

If you aren’t new to pet-friendly Destin, have we missed any great, must-adds? Please let us know! 

Ta-Ra!