Plan the Perfect Beach Day With Your Pet on Wrightsville Beach

It’s officially the off-season, and pets rule the beach once again! Wrightsville Beach allows pets on the beach at any time of day between October 1 and March 31. Pets must remain on a leash. Other times of the year, they’re not allowed on the beach strand.

It’s the perfect time of year to plan a Wrightsville Beach getaway with your pet. We host many pet travelers in our pet-friendly Wrightsville Beach vacation rentals. Here’s some of the fun beach activities you can look forward to during your stay.

Go for a beach walk or run

There’s nothing like those first paw steps on the beach during the off-season after a long hiatus. Bring lots of energy because your pet will want to explore every inch of this four-mile-long beach.

You know it’s officially the off-season simply by the number of paw prints you see trotting across the beach. Go for a morning jog, mid-day stroll, or take strides in the evening with your pet’s paws kissing the waters as they wash onshore.

Finally, a dog walk you can look forward to!

Enjoy pet-friendly water sports

Bathtime with your dog can be a hassle, but ironically, they always seem ready to make a splash in the water at the beach. Venture off the coast and let your pet experience the Atlantic Ocean like it was meant to be!

If it’s your first time visiting Wrightsville Beach with your pet, you’ll be amazed by the talented pets you see out on the water. Rent a soft-top surfboard and paddle out with your pet to “hang 20.” Weave your way through the Intracoastal Waterway with your dog perched at the head of your SUP.

And even the best swimmers can learn a thing or two about doggy paddling from their four-legged companion.

Beach games with your pet

Stop by Unleashed, the Dog & Cat store in Wilmington before arriving at your pet-friendly accommodations in Wrightsville Beach to stock up on fun doggy beach toys for your trip.

Pick up a Frisbee for an exciting game of catch. Toss out a floatable toy bone for a round of water fetch. Pups always love chasing down beach balls. Bury your pet in the sand with a shovel and pail.

Make doggy friends

Dog parents are always the friendliest people—which is why we love hosting them so much in our pet-friendly Wrightsville Beach vacation rentals! It won’t be long before you find yourself meeting other pet vacationers enjoying the Wrightsville Beach off-season with their pups. All owners are just a leash away. So, while the pets tangle themselves up on the beach, spend some time mingling to meet the locals.

Chatting with other pet parents is the best way to discover even more things to do with your pet in Wrightsville Beach.

Pet-friendly tours

Whether your pet is a land lover or a sea dog, Wrightsville Beach offers tours suited to their preferences. Maximize your beach getaway with your pet by climbing into one of the pet-friendly catamaran tours to explore the coastal scenery or nearby destinations like Palm Tree Island and Shell Island.

Need a break from the water? Explore the nearby Wilmington Historic District on foot and paw with pet-friendly Wilmington walking tours and carriage rides.

Leash-free fun at local dog parks

Dog parks are open year-round in Wrightsville Beach. And there are several to choose from! Local beaches still have a leash policy in the off-season, but Wrightsville Beach’s off-leash dog parks give you a chance to let them roam around without it.

Our local dog parks feature plenty of grass to run around, paved paths for a leisurely walk, and even watering holes for your pet to replenish their thirst.

Our Coastal Cottage and Carolina Cottage are two popular pet-friendly vacation rentals near the dog-friendly Wrightsville Beach Park.

Schedule a pet spa day

Pamper your pet this beach vacation with a pet spa day. Rolling around in the sand and getting wet in the ocean is a recipe for a stinky pet. Luckily, a grooming service with Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming will fix that!

Woof Gang pet grooming will make your pet feel brand new. Customize your pet spa day with a good bath, teeth cleaning, nail clipping, and fragrances that make you want to hug your pet again. The services are designed to enhance your pet’s coat and skin health. Save this for the end of your trip, after you’ve finished all your beach days, so it doesn’t go to waste.

Attend pet-friendly local events

The fall is a fantastic time of year to experience Wrightsville Beach with your pet. Wrap up your day at the beach and dry off at one of the seasonal local events that happily welcome four-legged attendees.

October’s annual Bark in the Park is held at Wrightsville Beach Town Hall. The free event features a dog dress-up contest, dog athletics, pet-friendly vendors, and more. Every Monday, head over to the Wrightsville Beach Farmers’ Market to pick up pet treats for the beach. In the evening, cozy up on a blanket at the pet-friendly Wrightsville Beach Park for the weekly Movies in the Park series running until December.

Keep an eye out for the friendly dogs you met earlier on the beach.

Pet-friendly coastal dining

Your canine is sure to work up an appetite after spending the entire day having fun on the beach. If the dog treats aren’t doing the trick anymore, it’s time to pack up and head over to one of the delicious pet-friendly restaurants in Wrightsville Beach.

Spend brunch on the covered patio at Drift Cafe to fuel up for your beach day. Enjoy a sunset coastal dinner on the patio of South Beach Grill overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Check out even more pet-friendly restaurants near Wrightsville Beach.

Discover Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals in Wrightsville Beach

Seascape Vacation Rentals offers the best selection of pet-friendly vacation rentals. Find the pawfect vacation rental just a few paw steps away from the beach so that every day can be a beach day with your pet.