The Best Beaches on the Wild Atlantic Way
In my opinion, the West Coast of Ireland is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches out there. A day trip to the beach is up there with one of my all time favourite things to do and in my opinion, the west coast of Ireland is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches out there. I’m always amazed at how varied the coast line is, which means that every beach is so drastically different from the next. I have put together a list of some of my personal favourites from my travels along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Dog’s Bay
If you are looking for a tropical beach without the long-haul flight then Dog’s Bay in Roundstone, County Galway is for you.
It’s hard to believe that this beach is only an hour and a half from Galway City. The turquoise water is crystal clear and shallow, and looking at Dog’s Bay from the hills above the beach might easily convince you that you have been transported to a tropical island. On a warm summer day the sea is just perfect for swimming, and if you coincide your visit for high tide, the shallow water warms to a lovely temperature which can make it feel like you’re jumping into a bath!
One tip to remember is that during the Summer months the beach can get quite busy and there is limited parking so it is advisable to get there early to secure a spot.
I have spent numerous days on this beach and they have all been just short of blissful, whiling away the afternoon swimming and sunbathing in such an irresistible spot is my idea of perfect!
Gurteen Bay
I couldn’t mention Dog’s Bay without also including Gurteen Bay, the sister beach to Dog’s Bay. Located on the opposite cove, Gurteen Beach is equally as beautiful, with pure white sand and turquoise water.
Gurteen beach wins my heart over just slightly more due to the many hidden coves that can be found if you wander along the dunes from the main bay, as well as the epic mountain views you can get from these tiny stretches of sand.
Reenroe Beach
Reenroe Beach on the Ring of Kerry is wild and beautiful. The sea on this vast stretch of sand is often rugged and choppy, which makes it an ideal place to visit if you like surfing.
The beach stretches out for 1.5km and I love taking a wander along the sand whilst admiring the mountains that surround it. There is also a short coast path that stretches away from the beach and past an old abandoned hotel which is a great place to explore.
Lettergesh Beach
Lettergesh Beach in fabulous Connemara, County Galway is surrounded by rugged cliffs and mountains. Every time I have visited this beach, ominous clouds have been hanging low over the mountains, making it feel wild and mysterious, but none the less stunning.
The beach is overlooked by Connemara Caravan and Camping Park, a small family friendly campsite with sea views to be envious of, and one of my favourite spots to stay in Connemara. (Just imagine waking up with a beach in your back garden!)
When the tide is low I would recommend spending some time walking along the beach and exploring the inlets that take you between the rocky cliffs, for secluded spots to sit and enjoy the view.
Derrynane Beach
If you are looking for a secluded place to go swimming, then incredible Derrynane Beach is the one.
As long as you are prepared to walk a short distance from the main stretch when the tide is in, you will stumble across some little coves hidden by rocks, which can make it feel like you have your own private beach (this does require some navigation through the dunes from the harbour, but the reward is definitely worth the small effort.) On a clear day, the water is calm and shallow, just perfect for a dip to cool down during the Summer months.
Located on the Ring of Kerry, even the journey to Derrynane is breathtaking, along the elevated N70 route, with plenty of lookout spots to get a bird’s eye view of the bay and grab some pictures of it’s stunning surrounding scenery.
Renvyle Beach
Although I have yet to experience what Renvyle looks like when the sun is out, it still manages to grab a spot on my list of favourite Wild Atlantic Way beaches.
Rocky and surrounded by mountains, this beach makes a perfect spot for wave watching, and is just a 5 minute drive from the charming village of Tully Cross, where you can stop for a refresh at Paddy Coynes pub after a windy beach walk.
White Strand
Located on the Great Blasket Island, White Strand beach is only reachable by boat from Dingle Marina, making it feel almost like an elusive, members only spot. I visited the island in early August, and even though it was during the school holidays and the height of summer, the beach was almost deserted, which was a dream! (You can read about my visit here).
Well-known for it’s wildlife, the turquoise water hosts a variety of different species, most likely of all seals, that can often be found lolling around on the soft sand enjoying the peace and quiet.
The paths on the Great Blasket Island are almost non-existent and so do be aware that accessing the beach can be tricky, as it takes a bit of a scramble down the rocks.
Coumeenole Beach
Take a drive along Slea Head route on the Dingle Peninsula and you will stumble across Coumeenole Beach. As you venture down the walkway to the sand, be prepared for the incredible colour of the sea, beautiful turquoise green that occurs all along the breathtaking peninsula when the conditions are right.
At high tide the beach almost disappears under the water, and the sea was relentless during my visit which meant that the beach was off limits. Don’t let this stop you visiting though, as the view from above is astounding and the surrounding grassy hills make an ideal spot to sit for a picnic with a view.
Have you ever visited any of these beaches, or do you have any of your own favourites that I haven’t listed? Let me know in the comments!
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