After spending a weekend at an Ireland beach, I knew that I had to do this more often. This way, I could brush off all the negativities as often as I could.
Good thing, Ireland’s home to several beautiful beaches—those that have calm waters and will bring me closer to nature.
So if you also need a little breather from time to time, continue reading and let this be your handy guide in exploring the wonderful beaches Ireland has to offer.
1. Portsalon Beach
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Website: https://www.discoverireland.ie/donegal/magherawarden-portsalon-beach
Address: R268, Killavee, Co. Donegal
Contact Details: 353749153900
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
For those who don’t want an overcrowded beach, Portsalon Beach is the one for you! Commonly referred to as the Ballymastocker Strand, this 1.5-kilometer-long beach can be found between Rathmullan and Fanad Head in the Donegal area.
This beach has golden sands and clear waters, making it worthy of their Blue Flag award. In fact, this has been voted as the second most beautiful beach in the world by Observer Magazine.
If you want to try some watersports, there are various activities that you can try here. Since the water is calm, you and your kids can enjoy swimming on this beach.
You can also enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, kitesurfing, and even windsurfing. And to get the best view of the Inishowen Peninsula, you can head over to the Knockalla cost drive viewpoint.
Pro tip: You can catch dolphins and seals when you’re here in Portsalon Beach. Just remember to bring some binoculars, so you can enjoy watching them from the shore.
2. Carrickfinn Beach
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Website: https://www.govisitdonegal.com/things-to-do/places-to-see/carrickfinn-blue-flag-beach
Address: Braade, Carrickfinn, Co. Donegal
Contact Details: 353 749 153900
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
You know you’re about to land at Donegal Airport once you see one of the world’s most scenic views of Carrickfinn Beach.
This beach is located near the Annagry village, so you can also make a side trip if you want to know more about the culture and heritage. In fact, if you’re a tourist, you’ll mostly hear the Irish language as they really preserved their culture in this area.
Once you’re on this beach, you’ll love to step on its very soft white sand. You’ll also appreciate the clear waters on the beach.
You’ll also enjoy the peaceful surroundings here as this beach is relatively more quiet than the others.
Here, you’ll love being surrounded by grasslands which are home to rare plants. You can even spot some wildflowers when you visit during spring or early summer!
If you’re lucky, you can even see Mount Errigal and the nearby Derryveagh mountains from here.
Meanwhile, for those of you who love to clock in some steps, you’ll love that this beach has a 2.7-kilometer trail. This is considered an easy trail, making it perfect for both walking and running.
Pro tip: Consider visiting the nearby pubs at Annagry Village after your trip to Carrickfinn Beach. This will allow you to hear traditional Irish music, perfect to seal your cultural trip in the village.
3. Rossnowlagh Beach
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Website: https://www.discoverireland.ie/donegal/rossnowlagh-beach
Address: Golf View, Co. Donegal
Contact Details: +353 873568414
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
For those of you who love surfing, then you shouldn’t miss out on a trip to one of Ireland’s best surfing beaches—Rossnowlagh Beach! The stretch of this beach can be found from the Coolmore cliffs to the rocky outcrops of Carrickfad.
Don’t worry if you’re just a beginner, surfing schools are available in the area, allowing you to enroll for a day class. You don’t even need to bring your own surfboards as you can just rent one here!
If you want to swim, this beach has relatively stronger waves so make sure to not go to the waters alone especially if you’re a newbie. It’s also best to let the kids stay away from the waves.
Additionally, you should also watch out for color safety flags that indicate if it’s advisable to swim. Red flags mean a no-swim zone!
Moreover, you can also spot some sailors enjoying the ocean waves.
If you love to have a little picnic, you’ll love that this beach has an expansive shore allowing you to spread out your blankets without worrying about the waves crashing. You can even see the planes that are about to land or leave Donegal Airport.
Pro tip: Consider dropping by in the afternoon as Rossnowlagh Beach offers one of the best sunset views in Ireland.
4. Strandhill Beach
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Website: https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/strandhill-beach
Address: Shore Rd, Carrowbunnaun, Strandhill, Co. Sligo
Contact Details: 087 2045259
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
Another beach in Ireland that’s perfect for newbies and seasoned surfers is Strandhill Beach. This beach offers you great views of the Knocknarea and Benbulben, making it a great spot for photographers too!
If you’re new to surfing, you can enroll in a beginner class at Strandhill Surf School. You can even book a group class so you can have a fun activity with your friends.
If you like more peaceful activities, you’ll love that there are meditation classes offered by Rebelle Surf, allowing you to experience moving meditation by the beach!
While you’re here, you can actually book a tour that will let you hike the Knocknarea Mountain. You can also enjoy strolling along the walking trail that will lead you to Cullenamore Strand and Killaspubrone.
Once you’re in the Killaspugbrone area, don’t forget to visit the ruins of the Killaspubrone Church, perfect for those who want to take a historical side trip while in the area.
Pro tip: Strandhill is home to known restaurants and cafes, so it’s relatively easy to refuel once you’re here. Try visiting Shells Cafe and order their calamari bites, perfect if you want to munch in front of the beach.
5. Streedagh Beach
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Website: https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/streedagh-beach
Address: Streedagh, Co. Sligo
Contact Details: 0830643552
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
If you and your friends prefer a beach that’s perfect for swim lovers, then make sure to add Streedagh Beach to your list! Here, the waters are more calm, making it a perfect spot to get your kids some impromptu swimming lessons.
Because of the beach’s calm conditions, you can enjoy stand-up paddle boarding here too! It’s a great way for you to explore the Sligo coastline when you’re in the area.
Another way to explore the coastline is by strolling along this 3-kilometer sandy stretch. Once you see Connor’s Island, you can retrace your steps back to your starting point.
You’ll also see huge rocks on the left side of the beach. Here, you can also see the oldest carboniferous limestone in the region.
For those of you who love to explore some fossils, the Zaphrentis are pretty common in this area. This will allow you to see fossils which have been formed four hundred million years ago!
Pro tip: Consider visiting Streedagh Beach at night and walk along the coastline during low tide. In doing so, you can get to see the ruins of the three Spanish Armada ships that came in 1588.
6. Keem Beach
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Website: https://www.ireland.com/en-us/destinations/regions/keem-strand/
Address: Co. Mayo
Contact Details: +353 949 064 000
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
If you want to explore a horseshoe-shaped bay known for its turquoise waters then a trip to Keem Beach is a must! Located in the Mayo area, this beach will let you enjoy the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
For those of you who love walking, you can explore the Keem Bay Loop which will allow you to stroll along its 5.6-kilometer route. And since the trail is a little rugged, don’t forget to wear your boots!
This beach is also awarded with a Blue Flag which means this one has quality and clean waters, perfect for those who want to enjoy a cool dip.
This beach was also a known location for traditional shark fishing. While this is no longer practiced, you can still see some remains of the old fishing station, reminding you of the area’s maritime history.
Pro tip: If you’re planning to stay at Keem Beach for the entire day, consider bringing some snacks and refreshments as there are no facilities or nearby shops in the area.
7. Silver Strand
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Website: https://www.discoverireland.ie/galway/silverstrand-beach
Address: Malin Beg, Glencolumbkille, Co. Donegal
Contact Details: +35391536400
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
Silver Beach, also known as Malin Beg, is one of the most photographed beaches in Ireland.
But going to this beach is not that easy as it will require you a series of steep steps before you see its full glory—-that’s actually a total of 174 steep steps from the car park, so make sure you’re ready for it!
The parking only has 30 car slots, but no need to worry as these parking spots don’t get filled up easily, even during summer!
Meanwhile, when the conditions are safe, you’ll enjoy swimming in the area. However, the kids and newbies should stay out of the water since there are no lifeguards on duty on this beach.
You can also take advantage of its clear waters by enjoying scuba diving. But if you’re just here to watch them enjoy their sport, you can stand at the viewpoint where you can take photos of these scuba divers.
Pro tip: Since Silver Strand is located in the Wild Atlantic Way, you may consider visiting highlighted spots in Donegal such as the Slieve League cliffs or Maghera Caves.
8. Gurteen Beach
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Website: https://www.discoverireland.ie/galway/gurteen-beach
Address: Errisbeg West, Irska, Co. Galway
Contact Details: (095) 35803
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
For those of you who want to explore Ireland’s west coast then you should visit the Gurteen Beach. Gurteen Beach is also close to another fine beach in Ireland called Dog’s Bay, which people often go to whenever they’re in the area.
If you want to go swimming, you’ll love that you can enjoy the crystal clear waters on this beach. Since the waters are calm, you can also enjoy doing water activities here such as windsurfing and kitesurfing.
You’ll also find it interesting that the sands on Gurteen Beach are formed from various sea creatures’ seashells, and not from the grassland habitats nearby, giving its pure white color.
You’ll also love the great views of Errisbeg, perfect if you want to snap some photos of the countryside.
Pro tip: Don’t miss out on the machair vegetation found along Gurteen Beach as this is considered rare and could only be found on the west coast of Scotland and Ireland.
9. Kilmurvey Beach
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Website: https://www.discoverireland.ie/galway/gurteen-beach
Address: Kilmurvy, Co. Galway
Contact Details: +353 (099) 61218
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
If you want to visit one of the largest beaches of the three Aran Islands then make a stop at Kilmurvey Beach. This beach has relatively calm waters, so you and your family can enjoy swimming here.
This beach is also home to some rare birds. You can even spot a Kimurvey seal colony when you’re here!
Aside from swimming, you can also explore the area through cycling. Don’t worry if you didn’t bring your own bike as you can rent one from Aran Bike Hire.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for coffee shops, you’ll love that there are several cafes you can check out in Kilmurvey village. You can even buy some souvenirs at the local craft shops to remind you of this trip.
Pro tip: If you’re curious about a stone beehive, consider visiting Clochan na Carraige while you’re in Kimurvey Beach. It’s a popular tourist attraction that showcases a stone beehive hut.