Can you swim at Loughrea Lake right now?

Loughrea Lake is currently marked "Good to go". No current pollution alerts — always assess conditions yourself. 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 Loughrea Lake?

the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) classified Loughrea Lake as Excellent 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 Loughrea Lake?

There are no active bathing restrictions published by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) for Loughrea Lake. That is not a guarantee of safety — assess conditions yourself.

Is there a lifeguard at Loughrea Lake?

Yes — Loughrea Lake has lifeguard cover. Hours: 12-6 7 days July & Aug weekend June/Sept. Cover is seasonal; check locally before relying on it.

What facilities are there at Loughrea Lake?

Loughrea Lake has toilets, parking, accessible entry. Dogs are restricted. Facility information is published by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland).

Loughrea Lake

Good to go

No current pollution alerts — always assess conditions yourself.

Checked 34 minutes ago against the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) · data last changed 2 months ago.

About this spot

Loughrea Lake Bathing area is pleasantly situated in a shallow relatively sandy area of the lake between a man made pier on the west and a small beach on the eastern end. Surrounding the bathing area is amenity grounds composed of grassy areas, footpaths, planted trees and shrubs and flower beds. The Lake supports a variety of bird species. The lake is a designated Special Protection Area and Natural Heritage Area. Activities include swimming, sailing, windsurfing, angling and canoeing.

This spot’s record

Loughrea Lake is in Galway, about 1 km from Loughrea. Loughrea Lake has been rated Excellent in each of the 4 bathing seasons classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland), 2022 through 2025. Across the 12 most recent samples published by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland), E. coli counts ranged from 10 to 97 per 100 ml. The highest was taken on 14 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: 1000 E. coli per 100 ml, the Bathing Water Directive guide value for inland waters.

Recent bacterial sample results for this bathing water
Date	E. coli	Enterococci	Assessment
14 Sept	97	13	Excellent
24 Aug	10	2	Excellent
10 Aug	10	3	Excellent
27 Jul	10	2	Excellent
6 Jul	10	1	Excellent
22 Jun	10	20	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

Excellent2022
Excellent2023
Excellent2024
Excellent2025

This water has been rated Excellent in each of the last 4 years.

Facilities & access

Lifeguard: Yes12-6 7 days July & Aug weekend June/Sept
Parking: Yes
Toilets: Yes
Accessible entry: YesAccess to waters edge.
Dogs: NoNo dogs allowed on designated blue flag beaches during lifeguard hours. Dogs allowed on a lead at all other times.
Public transport: No

Official water quality

Classified Excellent in 2025.

Loughrea Lake is classified as achieving Excellent Water Quality in 2025 based on the assessment of bacteriological results for the period 2022 to 2025. Loughrea Lake has achieved an Excellent Water Quality rating for the four consecutive years 2022 to 2025. 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 profile

What Excellent, Good, Sufficient and Poor actually mean

Common questions

Can you swim at Loughrea Lake right now?: Loughrea Lake is currently marked "Good to go". No current pollution alerts — always assess conditions yourself. 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 Loughrea Lake?: the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) classified Loughrea Lake as Excellent 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 Loughrea Lake?: There are no active bathing restrictions published by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) for Loughrea Lake. That is not a guarantee of safety — assess conditions yourself.
Is there a lifeguard at Loughrea Lake?: Yes — Loughrea Lake has lifeguard cover. Hours: 12-6 7 days July & Aug weekend June/Sept. Cover is seasonal; check locally before relying on it.
What facilities are there at Loughrea Lake?: Loughrea Lake has toilets, parking, accessible entry. Dogs are restricted. Facility information is published by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland).

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Nearby swimming spots

See all swimming spots near Loughrea — about 1 km away.