Village beach
Waterville Beach
In the village Good swimming
A long curving beach on Ballinskelligs Bay below the promenade and the Chaplin statue. Green Coast Award; no lifeguard, so check conditions locally.
DirectionsCoast
Beaches & swim spots near Waterville.
From the village strand on Ballinskelligs Bay to Blue Flag beaches at Ballinskelligs, Derrynane and Rossbeigh. Only some have summer lifeguards, so check conditions before you swim.
Tap a marker for details and directions.
The list
Ordered by drive time from Waterville village.
Sandy beach
Reenroe Beach
10 min drive Good swimming
About 1.5 km of sand with a gentle slope and shallow water, good for small children. Lifebuoys but no lifeguard.
DirectionsBlue Flag beach
Ballinskelligs Beach
15 min drive Good swimming
A Blue Flag and Green Coast beach overlooked by McCarthy's Castle, with lifeguards in July and August.
DirectionsBlue Flag beach
Derrynane Beach
20 min drive Strong currents — care
A large Blue Flag beach over the Coomakista pass. Strong currents on the outer strand: swim in the sheltered areas between the lifeguard flags.
DirectionsSurf beach
St Finian's Bay (The Glen)
25 min drive Strong currents — care
A small, unspoilt beach facing the Skelligs, popular with surfers. It has the strongest rip currents in the area and is not for casual swimming.
DirectionsBlue Flag beach
Kells Bay Beach
40 min drive Good swimming
A small Blue Flag beach with fine sand and views across Dingle Bay.
DirectionsBlue Flag beach
Rossbeigh Beach
55 min drive Good swimming
A 6 km Blue Flag strand near Glenbeigh with views over Dingle Bay and summer lifeguards.
Directions