Swimming spots in Cork
34 swimming spots in Cork — 13 designated bathing waters monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland). 13 with no current pollution alert.
- ArdnahinchArdnahinch Beach is located near Shanagarry in Co Cork in a wide bay with views to Ballycotton and the Island lighthouse.Not monitored
- Ballynamona StrandBallynamona Beach is part of a line of beaches from Silver Strand on edge of Ballycotton village which connects to Ballynamona, which in turn connects to Ardnahinch Beach, which…Not monitored
- BallyrisodeBallyrisode Beach is a sandy, sheltered beach located at Toomore in Co Cork and is within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a National Heritage Area (NHA).Not monitored
- Barley CoveBarley Cove Beach is a south facing sandy beach backing onto extensive sand dunes.Good to go
- Cadogans strand, SchullCadogan's Strand is located close to Schull town in Co Cork.Not monitored
- Cape Clear North HarbourCape Clear North Harbour Beach , is a gently sloping sandy beach facing North, towards Schull on the Southern coast of Ireland.Not monitored
- Dooneen PierDooneen Pier is is a deep water harbour located on the Sheep's Head Peninsula in Co Cork.Not monitored
- FountainstownFountainstown Beach is an east-facing, gently sloping, sandy/shingle beach.Good to go
- Galley CoveGalley Cove is located at Crookhaven in Co Cork.Not monitored
- GarnishGarnish Beach is at the southern tip of the Beara peninsula, West Cork.Not monitored
- GarretstownGarrettstown Beach is a south facing, gently sloping, sandy beach which is flanked on both sides by rocky cliffs.Good to go
- Garrylucas, White StrandGarrylucas beach is a gently sloping, sandy beach which is flanked on both sides by rocky cliffs.Good to go
- GarryvoeGarryvoe beach is a south east facing, gently sloping, sandy/pebble beach located on a long stretch of sandy coastline.Good to go
- Howe's StrandA small secluded west Cork strand between Kinsale and Kilbrittain, below a ruined coastguard station.Not monitored
- InchNOTE: Cork County Council have informed the EPA that no sampling is being carried out at Inch beach this year due to safety concerns / risks identified at this beach.Not monitored
- Inchydoney East BeachInchydoney East beach is a sandy south facing beach.Good to go
- Inchydoney West BeachInchydoney West Beach is a relatively gently sloping, sandy, south facing beach located at the north east of Clonakilty Bay.Good to go
- KilcrohaneKilcrohane Pier is a small sheltered harbour just outside the village of Kilcrohane.Not monitored
- Oileán ChléireOileán Chléire (Cape Clear Island) has an enviable location – right on the cusp of the continental shelf.Not monitored
- Oileán ChléireOileán Chléire (Cape Clear Island) has an enviable location – right on the cusp of the continental shelf.Not monitored
- Owenahincha, Little Island StrandOwenahincha is a relatively gently sloping, sandy beach and has sand dunes to the rear which extend between 70m & 100m.Good to go
- OysterhavenOysterhaven Beach is located in Oysterhaven, Co Cork.Not monitored
- RedbarnRedbarn beach is a south facing, gently sloping, sandy/pebble beach.Good to go
- Red StrandRed Strand is located just outside Clonakilty in Co Cork.Not monitored
- Ring (Greenlands Strand)Ring Beach is a sandy beach, located approx 3.5 kilometres from Ballymacoda in Co Cork.Not monitored
- Rocky BayRocky Bay Beach is located at Carrigaline in Co Cork.Not monitored
- Sandycove"Sandycove, 5km from Kinsale town centre is one of the towns most beloved coastal gems, drawing stand‑up paddleboarders, kayakers, and sea swimmers to its beautifully sheltered…Not monitored
- Silver Strand, Sherkin IslandSilver Strand is a gently sloping sandy beach open to the south west.Not monitored
- The Dock Beach KinsaleA charming ,sandy, sheltered beach on the outskirts of Kinsale town.Not monitored
- TragumnaTragumna beach is a relatively gently sloping, sandy, south/south-west facing beach located at the north east of Tragumna Bay.Good to go
- Warren, Cregane StrandWarren beach is a south east facing, gently sloping, sandy beach backing onto sand dunes (dunes extend between 40m & 50m).Good to go
- WhiteBay Beach Whitegate MidletonWhite Bay beach Cuán bán in County Cork is a secluded surf strand on the East side of Cork Harbour Inlet, near Roches Point.Not monitored
- Youghal ClaycastleClaycastle Beach is a gently sloping sandy beach with a narrow area of marsh/dunes (part of Ballyvergan Marsh).Good to go
- Youghal Front Strand BeachYoughal Front Strand is a gently sloping sandy beach with a concrete promenade area to the rear for most of the length of the beach.Good to go
Common questions
- How many swimming spots are there in Cork?
- 34 in Cork, Ireland, 13 of them officially designated bathing waters with published water-quality monitoring.
- Is it safe to swim in Cork right now?
- That depends on the spot, and it changes. Of the 34 listed here, 13 have no current pollution alert, 21 are not monitored. Check the individual spot before you go — and note that bathing-water monitoring covers bacterial quality only. Tides, currents, swell and cold-water shock are not part of it, and nothing on this site is a clearance to swim.
- Who monitors water quality in Cork?
- The Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) publishes the bathing-water data for Cork. Everything shown here comes from that published data.
- Which beaches in Cork have a Blue Flag?
- Barley Cove, Garretstown, Garrylucas, White Strand, Inchydoney East Beach, Inchydoney West Beach, Owenahincha, Little Island Strand, Redbarn, Tragumna, Youghal Claycastle, Youghal Front Strand Beach. The Blue Flag is an annual award and can be withdrawn, so it describes a standard the beach met rather than the state of the water today.