Dog Walkers in Virginia Key

Virginia Key is a barrier island in Miami, Florida. It is not technically part of the Florida Keys, but is one of the last barrier islands before the Keys begin! This Key is connected to the mainland by Rickenbacker Causeway which also extends to Key Biscayne. Unlike Key Biscayne, there are no residential buildings on Virginia Key. Instead, the Key is home to Virginia Key Beach Park, a public magnet school that focuses on STEM education, the Miami Marine Stadium, a few restaurants, a marina, the Miami Seaquarium, Atlantic Oceanographic, and Meteorological Laboratory, a branch campus of the University of Miami, a mountain biking park, and beach and recreation areas. 

Virginia Key and Miami both have summer-like weather all year-round! There are definitive wet and dry seasons with more rainfall, storms, and potential for hurricanes in the late summer and early fall. Winter and spring months, however, are still warm but you'll definitely experience less humidity.

Since Virginia Key is composed of a large greenway and beach access, most of the terrain is natural. The more artificial terrain and commercial spaces are immediately along the Rickenbacker Causeway. Additionally, like most of Miami, Virginia Key is quite flat. You and Fido shouldn't experience any changes in elevation while walking around. However, the Rickenbacker Causeway that connects the mainland to Virginia Key, and Virginia Key to Key Biscayne, is a giant hill. You will often see cyclists, runners, and walkers using this to challenge themselves during a workout!

Virginia Key is located in Biscayne Bay. It is immediately south of Fisher Island and South Beach. To access Virginia Key, traffic and pedestrians must use the Rickenbacker Causeway which connects to the Brickell neighborhood of Miami as well as I-95. Additionally, Rickenbacker Causeway is the only major roadway through Virginia Key and only parts have maintained sidewalks, so pedestrians will need to exercise caution while out walking Fido!

Most of Virginia Key is composed of natural greenways. Virginia Key Beach Park is the largest of said greenways and takes up most of the Key's acreage. This historic park is significant as it was one of the few public beaches open to people of color prior to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Unfortunately, no pets are permitted in this park.

However, Hobie Island Beach Park is not only open to pets, but dogs are allowed to run free in the sand and the waves! Hobie Island Beach Park is located immediately off of the Rickenbacker Causeway and sits on the bayside of the Key. This means the water is shallow and the waves should not be overwhelming, even for smaller pups. As one of the few authorized dog beaches in Miami, this is a great option for you and Fido on a hot summer day.