By Chloe Cramutola
Between the Longport Causeway and the Ocean City-Longport Bridge, South Jersey welcomes puppy paws on the sands of Malibu Beach — or, “Dog Beach.”
“We come here every other week, sometimes on weekends, and I just love coming down here with the dogs and the family,” said beachgoer Grace Bates.
This furry oasis spans nearly a mile, giving dogs the chance to fetch freely, stretch and scamper after each other or into the waves. Some owners relax on top of colorful towels or under big umbrellas. Others take their pups on a leash and walk the shore, dipping toes in the water, watching their pets bark and play with other furry friends.
“My dog is Lulu, and she’s a husky. I rescued her when she was 2,” said Lindsay Plesniarski, a regional customer service supervisor for Caesars Entertainment. She ran a hand through her husky’s fur. “We love the Dog Beach. We think it’s a great place and I’ve been bringing her for many years.”
Plesniarski stood up from her beach towel as Lulu padded away, sniffing the sand.
The beach has no time or leash restrictions, so any dog can fully enjoy the ambience with their owners. On a weekday, at least 15 dogs run and jump around, while the weekends are packed with over 30 dogs bolting down the shoreline.
“This is my second time here. I just love the dogs and enjoy the water,” said Michelle Peters, a beachgoer who drove an hour to visit South Jersey. “It’s nice to get away from the humidity of the city. And I love that it’s free with parking.”
While there are two parking lots available with free parking, it is recommended that beachgoers arrive early, as the lots are likely to fill up the later it gets. There is also a dumpster in the parking lot to discard doggy bags. Owners should not park on shoulders of the roadway or the causeway.
“Cosmo is a mini bernedoodle and he’s two years old, and Honey is a mini bernedoodle and he is 3 years old. I got them in 2021 and both their birthdays are in June,” said Peters.
She sat on a collapsible chair with her two pets at her side. The gray and white puppies circled around her chair with their tails wagging.
Many owners said hello or struck up a conversation with one another, thanks to their pets interacting with each other. The canines chased their new friends around the beach and bounded in the sand, or splashed ocean water as they dove for tennis balls and other toys.
“It’s just a beautiful place to bring your dog and enjoy the summertime,” said Plesniarski.
Chloe is a multimedia editor and journalism major at Boston University, where she is Editor at The Daily Free Press. She will be graduating Spring ’25. Connect with her on LinkedIn @chloecramutola
