Before I moved to Sligo, I used to see the beach once a year. That’s why relaxing and reconnecting with nature isn’t a regular thing in my book.
Luckily, Sligo has several beaches with different offerings or personalities, allowing me to experience something different whenever I go. At present, I love that I get to unwind and forget my worries whenever I want.
So if you also need to unplug from the busy world, read on and join me as I go over the best beaches in Sligo!
1. Streedagh Beach
Media credit: @thewildatlanticway
Website: https://sligowalks.ie/walks/streedagh-strand/
Address: Streedagh, Co. Sligo
Operating Hours: 24 Hours
If you want to inject some history and learn about shipwrecks, then you should add Streedagh Beach to your list. This beach is just a 20-minute drive from Sligo Center and Bundoran, making it a convenient spot for quick relaxation any day of the week.
For surfers out there, you’ll love that this is an exposed beach with reef breaks throughout the year, allowing you to practice your surfing skills even further.
Aside from surfing, the beach’s stretch is great for walking, horse riding, and kite surfing.
As mentioned, there are three shipwrecks that you can explore, which will remind you of the unsuccessful invasion of Spain in England.
Meanwhile, you can enjoy clocking in some steps as the beach is ideal for long walks. You can also see nearby coastal paths where you and your friends can plan an early morning hike.
Pro tip: Streedagh Beach is only recommended for experienced swimmers as the beach has strong tides and undercurrents.
2. Enniscrone Beach
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Website: https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/enniscrone-beach
Address: Carrowhubbock South, Enniscrone, County Sligo
Operating Hours: 24 Hours
If you want to experience some fine sand then you should head to Enniscrone Beach in Sligo. This beach offers several activities across all ages, making it a great spot for families.
Here, you can enjoy walking along the shores, paddle boarding, or horseback riding along the sandy beach. You’ll also appreciate that there’s a 27-hole golf course that the parents enjoy while letting the kids have fun at the amusement park.
This beach is also a great spot for newbie surfers, allowing them to learn the basics while they try to break in the gentle waves. And since the waters are calmer than the others, it’s a good spot for open-water swimming too!
If you want to catch some really good sunset, Enniscrone has been known for painting the skies with pink and orange hues as the sun bids goodbye, making it a more relaxing sight to see during your vacation.
There are also other activities that you can enjoy when you’re in the area. You can even experience some traditional seaweed bathing experience at Kilcullen’s, allowing you to be in a more relaxed state.
Pro tip: For additional peace of mind, consider swimming at Enniscrone Beach from June to August as lifeguards normally patrol the beach during this time.
3. Strandhill Beach
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Website: https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/strandhill-beach
Address: Shore Rd, Carrowbunnaun, Strandhill, Co, Sligo
Operating Hours: 24 Hours
Strandhill Beach has been a favorite spot for both beginner and pro surfers throughout the year. You’ll love that there are plenty of surfing schools to choose from, allowing you to practice with the experts during your stay.
Just be reminded that you can’t swim here due to high rip currents! Nonetheless, you can still enjoy other water sports such as stand-up paddling, perfect for when it isn’t too windy!
Meanwhile, when it comes to food and drinks, you’ll love that you can recharge and refuel at various restaurants and pubs such as Honestly Farm Kitchen and The Venue.
You can also support local vendors who sell snacks and refreshments at the beachside stalls.
Pro tip: If you want to enroll in a surfing school, consider signing up during summer. You’ll be learning the basics in the shallow part of Strandhill Beach, making you feel more at ease.
4. Culleenamore Beach
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Website: https://gostrandhill.com/explore/places-of-interest/culleenamore/
Address: Strandhill, Co. Sligo
Operating Hours: 24 Hours
Culleenamore Beach is just a 6-minute drive away from Strandhill Beach, so you can go here too after your morning surfing adventure. This beach is great if you want a more peaceful afternoon as it’s not a famous spot for surfers.
Additionally, this beach is mostly enjoyed during low tides as you’ll have an opportunity to see Ireland’s largest seal colonies as they rest along the central sandbanks. If you’re lucky, you can even see them playing or sunbathing!
This is also a great spot if you want to set up a little picnic during sunset.
Pro tip: Consider visiting Culleenamore Beach in the early morning so you can catch seabirds hunting for breakfast—a great birdwatching moment for you!
5. Rosses Point Beach
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Website: http://wildatlanticway.com/
Address: Rosses Point, Co. Sligo
Contact Details: +353 91 777 777
Operating Hours: 24 Hours
Rosses Point Beach is known for its three sandy beaches. Here, you can enjoy walking or running along the shores, sunbathing, kitesurfing, and hiking.
This beach is also a great spot for swimming!
Another thing that you can do here is to book a boat and enjoy fishing. You can swing some clubs at their 18-hole championship golf course.
You can also find a Metal Man which was built in 1821. It’s the place’s 3.7-meter guardian statue which points to the safe course for seafarers, meant for those they’ve lost in the sea.
This beach is also a famous entry point for those wanting to take a quick trip to Coney Island.
Pro tip: If you want a more quiet spot at Rosses Point Beach, consider staying at the third sandy beach as it’s the most secluded among the three.
6. Easkey Pier & Beach
Media credit: @michellemulherin
Operating Hours: 24 Hours
If you don’t mind roaming around a rocky beach then you should head to Easkey Pier & Beach when you’re in Sligo. This beach is another famous spot for surfers but is relatively quieter than the other beaches in the area.
For those of you who want to check out the shore and the 800-year-old ruins called the Roslee Castle, you can enjoy walking along the river.
During low tide, your kids can enjoy the rock pools. You can even spot fossils in the area, making it a fun day for an interactive science exploration.
If you need to take a rest, there are several benches located along the shores.
If you’re done with all the water adventures, you can head to the nearby Rosies Pottery Studio where you can enjoy browsing creative stuff from craft shops in the area.
When it comes to food, you can grab to refuel at the Pudding Row or the Beach Bar.
Pro tip: Easkey Pier & Beach has a free parking spot near Roslee Castle.
7. Cliffoney Beach
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Website: http://www.cliffoneyvillage.ie/cliffoney-beach-2/
Address: County Sligo, Ireland
Operating Hours: 24 Hours
Cliffoney Beach is another spot for surfers in the Sligo area. The island stretch is also a great spot for people who just want to take a walk along the shore.
During your walk, you’ll love that you can see scenic cliffs and a great view of the Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, if you want to take it a notch higher, you can hike to see the Benbulben Mountain, while appreciating the entire Sligo Bay.
While it’s a spot for surfers, the waters can get a little calm, allowing you and your family to just have fun or even set up a little picnic area.
However, since the rip currents are too strong in the area, swimming at this beach isn’t allowed.
Meanwhile, if you appreciate some wildlife, you’ll love that this beach also has seals, seabirds, and even dolphins!
Pro tip: Maximize Cliffoney Beach’s driftwood pieces that are scattered along the shore by creating small sculptures. You can even consider this as a fun activity with your kids.
8. Dunmoran Strand
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Website: https://www.thewildatlanticway.com/sight/dunmoran-strand/
Address: Dunmoran, Co. Sligo
Operating Hours: 24 Hours
If you’re looking for a less-crowded surfing spot in Sligo then Dunmoran Strand should be on top of your list. Here, you can see a very wild shoreline along grassy dunes, perfect if you prefer calming walks or simple picnics.
This beach is recognized by the Green Coast, telling us that this beach has good management and great water quality. It’s also awarded for its good causes and involvement in the community, as well as its efforts in maintaining a good environment.
Aside from surfing, you can also enjoy other water activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding.
Compared to the other beaches, Dunmoran Strand has peaceful waves that are great for swimming. Meanwhile, during low tide, there are large rock pools that show up which the kids normally enjoy playing at.
If you’re a fan of sunsets, you’ll appreciate this beach. You can watch the landscape turn from powder blue to pink and orange skies, which we think is a more calming way to end the day.
Pro tip: Consider checking Dunmoran Strand’s rocky shores during low tide as seaAls normally swim near the area to rest.
9. Mullaghmore Beach
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Website: https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/mullaghmore-beach
Address: The Woods, County Sligo
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
If you want to see white sand dunes and calmer waves then Mullaghmore Beach should be next on your list! When you’re here, you’ll notice that lots of families visit the beach, since it has a kid-friendly shoreline!
Here, you and your kids can also enjoy swimming since the rip currents aren’t aggressive.
Meanwhile, if you’re visiting the beach with your friends, you can enjoy sunbathing along the shore, while enjoying the seaside breeze.
For history enthusiasts, you can find Mullaghmore Castle, a ruins from the 17th century. It even makes a great backdrop for your photos!
Aside from the water activities, you can also stroll along the beach shore. You can even head towards Eithna’s by the Sea to satisfy your seafood cravings! And if you need some caffeine kick, you can grab some great coffee at Ahoy Coffee Cart.
Pro tip: Consider visiting Mullaghmore Beach during summer or early Autumn so you can harvest ripe seaweeds and berries, perfect for foraging.
10. Trawalua Beach
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Website: http://www.choosesligo.com/trawalua-beach.html
Address: Trawalua Strand, County Sligo
Operating Hours: 24 Hours
Trawalua Strand is a great beach spot in Sligo if you want some relaxing time near the waters. While the beach isn’t great for swimming due to stronger rip currents, it still has a charming shoreline, perfect for an early morning or late afternoon walk.
You’ll also love that has sand dunes and rugged cliffs around. Even better, you can spot the Benbulben Mountains here.
You can also plan to hike at Trawalua and do some birdwatching too, allowing you to see various bird species in the area.
Pro tip: Trawalua Beach has a great shore perfect for fishing so consider bringing your fishing gear during your visit.