In the town of Duck, on the Outer Banks, dogs may roam the beach leash-free throughout the year. However, dogs must be under voice control at all times. On Topsail Island, dogs can be off-leash from Nov. 1 to May 14 but must be under the owner's voice control. At the beach in the town of Oak Island, pets can only be off leash from Oct. 15 to March 15 during the hours of 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. This is because of endangered sea turtles nesting in May and hatchlings emerging, beginning in July. In Kitty Hawk, if your dog is well-trained and under voice control, it may be taken off its leash from the day after Memorial Day until Labor Day weekend. Unleashed dogs must remain within 30 feet of their owners at all times and not disturb other beachgoers.
Several of North Carolina's beaches allow year-round access to leashed dogs. While Emerald Isle does not have any leash length requirements, the beach at the town of Surf City specifies that dog leashes be no longer than 10 feet. In North Topsail Beach, dogs must remain on a retractable leash that is no longer than 25 feet and under the owner's control at all times. The town of Atlantic Beach allows dogs on the beach strand, but they are prohibited from entering lifeguard-protected areas. In the Oslow Beach recreation area, all pets are welcome but must be kept on a 10-foot leash. No pets are allowed in the sand dunes or the designated swimming areas.
In the Outer Banks region, the towns of Oak Island, Corolla and Nags Head allow leashed dogs but state no specifications on leash length. The town of Manteo and Ocracoke Island require owners to keep dogs on a leash that is no longer than six feet. The ferry to Ocracoke Island is also pet-friendly. The town of Southern Shores allows dogs on its beach year-round but only between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. At the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Cape Lookout National Seashore, pets of all sizes are welcome on the beaches, including horses. Dogs and other pets must be kept on a six-foot leash and are not allowed in designated swimming areas. Visitors may ride horses in all areas that vehicles are permitted, except the campgrounds.
The town of Kill Devil Hills allows leashed dogs on the beach from May 15 to Sept. 15, from the hours of 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. Only service dogs and their owners are allowed on the beach during daytime hours. Holden Beach allows leashed dogs from May 20 to Sept. 10 during the hours of 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, restrictions are enforced at three beaches -- the town of Sunset Beach allows dogs from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.; Kitty Hawk allows dogs on a six-foot leash from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Ocean Isle Beach permits dogs from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m.
In North Carolina's offseason, typically from Oct. 1 to April 1, leashed dogs are allowed on some of its beaches. The town of Kure Beach permits dogs on the beach strand Oct. 1 to March 31; Wrightsville Beach allows leashed pets on the beach strand from Oct. 1 to April 1; and Carolina Beach permits leashed dogs on the beach from Nov. 1 to Feb. 28.
All North Carolina municipalities and beaches require owners to clean up after their pet immediately. Dispose of pet waste in plastic bags and place it in designated waste containers. North Carolina also requires that pets wear valid rabies tags showing they have had the proper vaccinations. Because it is easy for a pet to get loose while on vacation, it should also wear a secure collar with an identification tag or dog license.
