Keem Beach, Achill Island

About this spot

Keem Beach is a sheltered sandy beach facing southeast with a steep gradient. Two freshwater streams flow into the sea from the surrounding land at Keem beach. Keem Beach has a variety of habitats including large shallow bays and inlets, reefs and mudflats and sandflats which support a variety of plant, animal and bird species. Keem Beach forms part of the Croaghan/Slievemore SAC and pNHA (Site Code 001955) and Achill Head SAC (Site Code 002268). Activities include swimming, surfing, sailing, canoeing, water skiing, jet skies, scuba-diving / snorkelling and fishing. The designated bathing area is approximately 300m in length and approximately 0.14km2 in area. The medium and maximum water depth within the designated bathing water is 0.5m and 5.0m respectively depending on tides.

Facilities & access

Lifeguard

Yes

Parking

Yes

Toilets

Yes

Accessible entry

YesRamp leading to the beach

Dogs

YesDogs only allowed before 12pm and after 6.30pm during the bathing season (1st June to 15th September) otherwise allowed at all times onto beach.

Public transport

No

Official water quality

Classified Excellent in 2025.

Keem Beach, Achill Island is classified as achieving Excellent Water Quality in 2025 based on the assessment of bacteriological results for the period 2022 to 2025. Keem Beach, Achill Island 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.

Common questions

Can you swim at Keem Beach, Achill Island right now?

Keem Beach, Achill Island 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 Keem Beach, Achill Island?

the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) classified Keem Beach, Achill Island 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 Keem Beach, Achill Island?

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

Is there a lifeguard at Keem Beach, Achill Island?

Yes — Keem Beach, Achill Island has lifeguard cover. Cover is seasonal; check locally before relying on it.

What facilities are there at Keem Beach, Achill Island?

Keem Beach, Achill Island has toilets, parking, accessible entry. Facility information is published by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland).