It really doesn't get much better than this, I thought a few days ago as I threw the neon yellow tennis ball down the beach for Deuce, my golden retriever, to fetch.

If you're reading this article, I'm guessing you've had a similar thought at some point in the past.

We've probably also shared another experience, this one on the opposite end of the spectrum. In my nearly 10 years living in this area, I've had to turn my car around multiple times at the sight of a "No Pets Allowed" sign.
That's a depressing affair for both Deuce and I, and it's exactly why I wrote this article.

Without further ado, here are the best dog-friendly beaches in North Carolina:

1. Carolina Beach

Dogs are allowed on Carolina Beach all day during the off-season – Oct. 1 to March 31. That comes with the stipulation that your dog is on a leash at all times and you have some sort of container on your person to clean up after them.

When the summer weather rolls back around - April 1 through Sept. 30 -  pet laws are slightly stricter on Carolina Beach. All the previous rules still apply, but at this time you can only take your pet out onto the beach between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m.

2. Kure Beach

Because Kure Beach and Carolina Beach are direct neighbors, they presumably share all the same laws when it comes to being pet-friendly, so refer to the information above.

3. Wrightsville Beach

Like the previous two beaches, you can have your leashed dog on Wrightsville Beach at any time during the off-season (Oct. 1 to March 31). They have the same law requiring you to keep a waste disposal container with you at all times.

Unlike Carolina and Kure Beach, Wrightsville doesn't allow pets at any time during the peak summer season (April 1 through Sept. 30).

4. Fort Fisher

Fort Fisher might be the most pet-friendly area on our list. That's because you're allowed to bring your favorite dog(s) at any time year-round - and they don't have to be on a leash! They still require waste cleanup bags, but they're provided at the beach for easy access.

5. Ocean Isle Beach

The laws of Ocean Isle (and many of the other Brunswick beaches) fall somewhere on the spectrum between the laws of Carolina Beach and Fort Fisher. That's because leashed dogs are allowed on the beach throughout the year at all times of the day - except from Memorial Day to Labor Day, where they're only allowed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Those are the best dog friendly beaches in NC. Now you'll never run into another oppressive "No Pets Allowed" sign, and I know your pooch will thank you for that!  Also check out this post we wrote a while back for more dog-friendly places in Wilmington NC.

Neal Johnson is a CMCA, CRB, CNE and GRI-certified, licensed real estate broker at Network Real Estate, which has exclusively served a high volume of property sales and purchases in the greater Wilmington area for more than 30 years. With three offices at College Road, historic downtown Wilmington and Pleasure Island, Network’s brokers are widespread and well-versed in this marketplace, making Network a preferred real estate company for first-time homebuyers and beyond.