A beach break with your dog doesn’t have to mean the same routine every day – morning walk, coffee, repeat. If your dog’s happy around boats and doesn’t mind a bit of sea air, adding a coastal cruise or wildlife tour to your trip can make a seaside stay feel much more memorable.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best options for a dog-friendly coastal day out. If you’re planning a stay by the sea and want more than just beach time, these are exactly the kind of dog-friendly attractions that can lift a holiday out of the ordinary.
1. Farne Islands boat trips from Seahouses, Northumberland
If you’re after one of the best dog-friendly attractions Northumberland has to offer, start here. Seahouses is the classic jumping-off point for Farne Islands cruises, where you can head out to spot grey seals, puffins in season and huge colonies of seabirds.
A few operators run dog-friendly sailings, though it’s worth checking the specific trip before booking, as not every boat allows dogs on every route. Non-landing wildlife cruises are usually the best bet if you’re travelling with a dog. They still give you the drama of the islands, the seabird noise, the chance of spotting seals hauled out on the rocks, and that brilliant open-sea feeling – without the faff of landing restrictions.
Make a day of it by spending time in Seahouses itself, then walking part of the coast path towards Beadnell or Bamburgh. If you’re searching for the best dog-friendly things to do in Beadnell, this stretch of coast is hard to beat – long sandy beaches, dunes, sea views and enough space to tire out even the keenest spaniel.
Where to stay
A dog-friendly cottage in Seahouses, Beadnell or Bamburgh works best if this area is high on your list. You’ll be close to the harbour for the boat trip, but also within easy reach of beach walks and some of the best dog-friendly attractions in the UK for coastal breaks.
2. Seal Island and Godrevy wildlife cruises, St Ives, Cornwall
For dog-friendly attractions in Cornwall, St Ives is one of the strongest all-round options because a boat trip is only part of the appeal. Dog-friendly wildlife cruises run from the harbour to Seal Island and around Godrevy, where you might spot grey seals, seabirds and, if you’re lucky, dolphins out in the bay. It’s a good choice if you want a boat trip that doesn’t eat up your whole day. You can head out on the water, then spend the rest of the afternoon walking the coast path, browsing St Ives’ backstreets or heading over to Hayle for a long sandy stomp.
This is also one of the easiest trips to weave into a Cornwall holiday if you’re already looking for dog-friendly things to do in Cornwall and want a day out beyond your immediate base. St Ives makes a great excursion even if you’re staying elsewhere along the north coast.
Where to stay
For a Cornwall break built around boat trips and beach days, stay somewhere around St Ives, Hayle, Carbis Bay or the wider north coast. It’s a good area for fun things to do with your dog without needing to clock up loads of driving.
3. Ilfracombe wildlife and coastal cruises, North Devon
North Devon is packed with good dog walks, but it’s also one of the best places in the country to get out on the water with a dog. Ilfracombe has several coastal and wildlife cruise options, including trips along the dramatic Exmoor coast and tours with the chance of spotting seals, porpoises and dolphins.
This is one of our favourite picks if you want a day out that feels slightly different from the usual “beach and pub” formula. The coastline here is rugged and high-cliffed, and seeing it from the water gives you a totally different sense of the place – sea caves, hidden coves, waterfalls and all. It also fits neatly into a wider North Devon holiday, especially if you’re already researching dog-friendly things to do in Devon.
Where to stay
Look at Ilfracombe, Woolacombe, Croyde or Mortehoe if you want a North Devon base with easy access to both beaches and boat trips.
4. Ramsgate seal-watching trips, Kent
For something a little different, Ramsgate is worth a look. Local boat trips run out to spot seals off the Kent coast, and it’s the sort of outing that feels a bit more unusual than the standard seaside formula. If you’re the kind of traveller always looking for things to do with your dog that go beyond beaches and cafés, this is a good one to keep in mind.
Ramsgate itself is a handy base for a dog-friendly coastal break too – harbour walks, old-town streets and easy access to Broadstairs and Viking Bay if you want to keep exploring.
Where to stay
Ramsgate has lots of fantastic dog-friendly places to stay and makes getting on that boat trip that much closer.
A few quick tips before you book
Not every ‘dog-friendly’ sailing trip means exactly the same thing, so it’s worth checking the small print before you turn up at the harbour. A few things to look for:
- Whether dogs are allowed on all sailings or only selected trips
- Whether they need to stay on a lead the whole time
- Whether the trip is a landing trip or a cruise-only route
- How exposed the boat is – some dogs are happier on larger, steadier boats
- Where to park and where your nearest pre-boat walk is
It’s also worth packing water, a towel, and something warm for your dog if they feel the cold. Even on bright days, it can feel chilly once you’re out on the water.
The best kind of coastal day out
The nicest thing about adding a cruise or wildlife tour to a dog-friendly holiday is that it breaks up the trip in a good way. You still get the beach walks and pub lunches, but you also get that “remember when the dog barked at the seals?” moment that becomes the thing you talk about afterwards.
And that’s really the sweet spot with coastal breaks – not cramming in a checklist of dog-friendly attractions, but finding a few genuinely good attractions that allow dogs and building the day around them. A harbour town, a decent walk, a dog-friendly pub, maybe a boat trip if your dog’s game. That’s more than enough for a very good weekend by the sea. Book a dog friendly getaway with us.
