Nearly 30 million Americans travel with pets, so it's no wonder dog beaches are popular.

Florida, naturally, has its share of watery pet playgrounds, some with picnic shelters, doggie showers and nearby pet-friendly beachside bars.

The following 13 Florida beaches are organized by approximate distance from the Tampa area:

Davis Islands Seaplane Basin, Tampa

Where: 864 Severn Ave.

The scoop: A slew of regulars frequent the dog beach at the tip of Davis Islands. A leash-free area offers lots of splashing and chasing seagulls. Small waste bags and a canine shower are available.

Open: Sunrise to sunset daily

Price: Free admission and parking

Contact: (813) 274-8615; http://tbo.ly/davisislandsdogs

Picnic Island Park, Tampa

Where: 7409 Picnic Island Blvd.

The scoop: Dogs can roam sans leash in a fenced area along the beach, which has a water spigot.

Open: Sunrise to sunset daily

Price: Free admission and parking

Contact: (813) 274-8615; http://tbo.ly/picnicisland

Bicentennial Park, Madeira Beach

Where: 599 150th Ave., Madeira Beach

The scoop: The beach is located beside the Tom Stuart Causeway and Madeira Beach Middle School. Dogs must remain leashed, but they can swim.

Open: Sunrise to sunset

Price: Free admission and parking

Contact: (727) 391-9951; http://tbo.ly/bicentennialpark

Pet Beach, Honeymoon Island State Park, Dunedin

Where: 1 Causeway Blvd.

The scoop: This 1/4-mile-long beach allows dogs and other domestic pets, but they must be on a leash, even in the water. It's located at the far west end of Curlew Road/Causeway Boulevard, past the Dunedin causeway bridge. The nationally ranked park also has bathhouses, nature trails, a nature center, showers, umbrella and pavilion rentals, and a snack bar. A ferry leaves from the park on multiple daily cruises to Caladesi Island State Park.

Open: 8 a.m. to sunset daily

Price: $2 for pedestrians/bicyclists; $4 for single-occupant vehicles; $8 for vehicles with two to eight occupants; kids under 6 are free

Contact: (727) 469-5942; http://tbo.ly/honeymoonisland

Paw Playground, Fort De Soto Park, Tierra Verde

Where: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S.

The scoop: The only Pinellas County park that allows dogs on the beach. Not only do local dog beachgoers favor the scenic, leash-free area, the beach has been ranked as one of the country's best.

Open: 7 a.m. to sunset daily

Price: No parking or admission fees; that may change in October

Contact: (727) 893-9185; http://tbo.ly/fortdesotopark

Paw Park at South Brohard Beach, Venice

Where: 1600 Harbour Drive

The scoop: A leash-free park, but dogs must be kept under voice control. Both man and mutt can enjoy drinking fountains, in addition to a shower just for dogs.

Price: No parking or admission fee

Open: 7 a.m. to dusk daily

Contact: (941) 486-2626; http://www.venicegov.com/Park_links/paw.htm

Lighthouse Point Park, near Port Orange

Where: 5000 Robert Merrill Parkway (State Road A1A), Ponce Inlet

The scoop: This park on the north side of Ponce Inlet has 52 acres, nature trails, an observation tower and picnic tables. Besides, swimming, fishing and playing with their pets on the beach, visitors may spot some of the park's resident skunks, armadillos, raccoons and shorebirds.

Open: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Price: $5 per car

Contact: (386) 756-7488; www.volusia.org/parks/front.htm

Lee County Off-leash Dog Beach, Fort Myers Beach

Where: 8800 Estero Blvd.

The scoop: The beach has a Kayak with Canine program. Dogs can roam unleashed.

Open: Sunrise to sunset daily

Price: Admission and parking are free

Contact: (239) 533-7275; www.leeparks.org/facility-info/facility-details.cfm?Project_Num=0036

Dog Beach, Hollywood

Where: Between Pershing and Custer Streets off of North Surf Road

The scoop: The website warns about a rash of car break-ins, so either leave valuables behind, or stow them out of sight.

Open: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only, year-round; November- March: 3 to 7 p.m.; April- October 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Price: Non-Hollywood residents pay $10 for a weekend pass

Contact: (954) 921-340; www.hollywoodfl.org/parks_rec/beaches.htm; http://www.dboh.org/

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, Jacksonville

Where: 500 Wonderwood Drive

The scoop: Dogs on leashes are allowed on 11/2 miles of beach in this Atlantic-front park. Only two dogs per person are allowed, and owners must pick up after their pets. The park encompasses nearly 500 acres and has almost 300 campsites, a general store, cabins, a concession stand, 15 miles of bike trails, a wedding/banquet facility, picnic shelters, a playground and grills.

Open: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. April through October and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. November through March

Price: $3 per carload up to six people, $1 each for additional passengers

Contact: (904) 249-4700; www.jaxparks.com

Canine Beach; Fort Lauderdale

Where: Sunrise Boulevard at A1A

The scoop: Dogs must remain leashed inside the 100-yard park.

Open: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. during daylight saving time; 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. during winter

Price: Visitors can purchase a $7 one-weekend permit from a ranger. Non-residents can buy a $45 annual permit at 1350 W. Broward Blvd. between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday

Contact: (954) 828-7275; http://ci.ftlaud.fl.us/cityparks/canine_beach/index.htm

Dog Beach, Key West

Where: Vernon and Waddell avenues, next to Louie's Backyard, a popular restaurant.

The scoop: Only about 20 feet long, but THE best beach in Key West, thanks to its white-sand bottom, according to Philip Tenney, an owner of Louie's Backyard. "We like to say, 'They gave the best beach to the dogs,'" he jokes.
Dogs on leashes are also welcome at the restaurant's outdoor bar, Afterdeck, during daylight hours. The beach has no bathhouses.

Open: 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily

Price: Free

Contact: 1-800-352-5397; www.fla-keys.com; www.louiesbackyard.com

Bayview Dog Park and Beach, Pensacola

Where: 2001 E. Lloyd St.

The scoop: The one-acre park has restrooms, seating, and showering and watering units. Dogs are not required to be leashed, but they must wear their tag.

Open: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Price: Parking and admission are free

Contact: (850) 436-5190; www.playpensacola.com/parks.asp?parkID=13173#http://www.playpensacola.com/_files/contents/370/logo.gif