Sandymount Strand
Caution
This spot is classified Sufficient — it meets the minimum bathing-water standard, but it's the lowest passing grade.
Checked against the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) · data last changed 1 month ago.
Sea conditions
Water temperature
14.2°C
Chilly — most swimmers want a wetsuit
Wave height
0.9 m
Significant wave height offshore; inshore conditions vary.
Tide
Coming in
- High water around UTC
- Low water around UTC
Modelled values, not measurements — coastal water often differs from the open-sea model, and tide times are approximate to within about half an hour. Use official tide tables for anything that depends on precise timing.
About this spot
Sandymount Strand is 2 km a sandy beach with a gradual slope, which makes the water too shallow for any real swimming. There is a large inlet of water that remains even at low tide and is known locally as "Cockle Lake". Although Sandymount Strand itself has little flora or fauna due to its positioning and coastal connection to Sean Moore Park and the lrishtown nature Reserve it is a nationally important area for migrating birds.
This spot’s record
Sandymount Strand is in Dublin, about 5 km from Dublin. Sandymount Strand was rated Sufficient in 2025 by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland). Its previous classifications were Poor in 2024, Poor in 2023 and Sufficient in 2022, so the rating here has moved rather than held. Across the 12 most recent samples published by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland), E. coli counts ranged from 10 to 201 per 100 ml. The highest was taken on 8 September 2026. A classification is calculated from percentiles across four seasons, so no single reading decides how this water is rated.
Recent sample results
The last 12 bacterial samples published by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland), most recent on the right. Counts are per 100 ml of water.
Dashed line: 500 E. coli per 100 ml, the Bathing Water Directive guide value for coastal / transitional waters.
| Date | E. coli | Enterococci | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Sept | 97 | 22 | Excellent |
| 8 Sept | 201 | 44 | Excellent |
| 7 Sept | 185 | 32 | Excellent |
| 31 Aug | 10 | 5 | Excellent |
| 30 Aug | 98 | 42 | Excellent |
| 24 Aug | 31 | 5 | Excellent |
A bathing water's official classification is calculated from percentiles across four bathing seasons, not from any single sample — so one high reading doesn't mean a spot is unsafe, and one low reading doesn't mean it's clean today.
Quality over the last 4 years
- Sufficient2022
- Poor2023
- Poor2024
- Sufficient2025
This water's rating has varied over the last 4 years.
Facilities & access
- Lifeguard
- No
- Parking
- YesYES
- Toilets
- YesYES
- Accessible entry
- YesYES
- Dogs
- YesYES
- Public transport
- YesBus/DART
Official water quality
Classified Sufficient in 2025.
Sandymount Strand is classified as achieving Sufficient Water Quality in 2025 based on the assessment of bacteriological results for the period 2022 to 2025. Sandymount Strand was classified as having Poor Water Quality rating in 2024 and 2023 and Sufficient Water Quality rating in 2022. Annual water quality ratings are generally calculated using monitoring results over a four-year period and are assessed against stringent bacterial limits to protect bather health.
Official bathing-water profileCommon questions
- Can you swim at Sandymount Strand right now?
- Sandymount Strand is currently marked "Caution". This spot is classified Sufficient — it meets the minimum bathing-water standard, but it's the lowest passing grade. This reflects the latest data published by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland). Conditions change quickly — always assess the water yourself before entering.
- What is the water quality like at Sandymount Strand?
- the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) classified Sandymount Strand as Sufficient in 2025. Classifications are a rolling assessment of bacterial samples taken over four bathing seasons, measured against E. coli and intestinal enterococci limits set by the EU Bathing Water Directive.
- Is there a swimming ban or warning at Sandymount Strand?
- There are no active bathing restrictions published by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) for Sandymount Strand. That is not a guarantee of safety — assess conditions yourself.
- Is there a lifeguard at Sandymount Strand?
- No lifeguard cover is listed for Sandymount Strand. Never swim alone at an unguarded spot.
- What facilities are there at Sandymount Strand?
- Sandymount Strand has toilets, parking, accessible entry. Facility information is published by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland).
This spot is also in
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Nearby swimming spots
See all swimming spots near Dublin — about 5 km away.