Silver 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 2 months ago.
Sea conditions
Water temperature
14.5°C
Chilly — most swimmers want a wetsuit
Wave height
1.2 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
Silver Strand is a sandy beach falling away gradually with depth. The beach is somewhat exposed and can be expected to be rough at times. The Wicklow Head Special Protection Area (SPA 004127) and Wicklow Reef Special Area of Conservation (SAC 002274) are located 1.2km to the North. The beach is divided at high tide and can only be accessed via the either caravan parks.
This spot’s record
Silver Strand is in Wicklow, about 4 km from Wicklow. Silver Strand was rated Sufficient in 2025 by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland). Its previous classifications were Good in 2024, Good in 2023 and Excellent in 2022, so the rating here has moved rather than held. In the previous bathing season Silver Strand was under a short-term pollution restriction on 6 days. That is last season's record and not a forecast for today. Across the 12 most recent samples published by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland), E. coli counts ranged from 10 to 259 per 100 ml. The highest was taken on 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Sept | 259 | 96 | Good |
| 24 Aug | 63 | 1 | Excellent |
| 17 Aug | 20 | 3 | Excellent |
| 10 Aug | 73 | 11 | Excellent |
| 27 Jul | 10 | 1 | Excellent |
| 13 Jul | 41 | 2 | 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
- Good2023
- Good2024
- Sufficient2025
This water has declined, from Excellent in 2022 to Sufficient in 2025.
Facilities & access
- Lifeguard
- No
- Parking
- YesParking available in the caravan parks.
- Toilets
- Yes
- Accessible entry
- No
- Dogs
- Yes
- Public transport
- No
Official water quality
Classified Sufficient in 2025.
Silver Strand is classified as achieving Sufficient Water Quality in 2025 based on the assessment of bacteriological results for the period 2022 to 2025. Silver Strand achieved a Good Water Quality rating in 2024 and 2023, and an Excellent 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 Silver Strand right now?
- Silver 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 Silver Strand?
- the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) classified Silver 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 Silver Strand?
- There are no active bathing restrictions published by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) for Silver Strand. That is not a guarantee of safety — assess conditions yourself.
- Is there a lifeguard at Silver Strand?
- No lifeguard cover is listed for Silver Strand. Never swim alone at an unguarded spot.
- What facilities are there at Silver Strand?
- Silver Strand has toilets, parking. 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 Wicklow — about 4 km away.