Short answer: Dogs are banned from Exmouth's main beach from May to September, but the eastern end near Orcombe Point allows them year-round. The Grove has a dog hydration keg and water bowls throughout, and The Point at the marina has a dog station with blankets and treats.
Exmouth bans dogs from the main stretch of beach between May and September, which is the peak of when you would want to be on it. The exception is the far eastern end towards Orcombe Point, where dogs are allowed all year round. Sandy Bay, east of town, has the same 1 May to 30 September ban.
If you are visiting in summer with a dog, park towards the Orcombe end rather than the marina end, and walk out that way. It is quieter anyway, and it is where the Jurassic Coast officially starts.
The open sandy common behind the seafront is the year-round answer. It is a former golf links, which means the sand base stops it ever getting muddy and it works in any weather. Plenty of space for a dog, a fenced children's play area alongside, and seasonal public toilets.
The Grove on the Esplanade takes this seriously — reviewers describe deep water bowls throughout, a dedicated dog hydration keg outside, and staff who are used to it. It is a large seafront pub with a beer garden and window tables facing the prom, doing seafood platters and pies.
The Point at the marina goes further still: a dog station with blankets and treats, and staff who make a fuss. It opens at 8.30, does a fisherman's brunch worth ordering, and handles gluten-free properly. The Beach Pub near the marina is an independent that still feels like a pub, and takes dogs too.
Bath House on the Esplanade has the best position in Exmouth with a front beer garden and handsome decor. The food is the weak point and reviews are mixed — treat it as somewhere to drink with a dog and watch the beach, and eat along the front.
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