As we officially enter the summer months in a week’s time, the summer bucket list needs to start being made. There is plenty to look forward to this summer in Ireland, and hopefully the weather will permit a few days to enjoy the Irish Sea.
One item that is always good to have on your summer list is a good beach trip, a full day to relax, swim and sunbathe. But where on our beautiful Emerald Isle are the best places to go for these beach days?
We have decided to compile a list of 6 of the best destinations to ensure the sunny days are spent at the right spots to get a swim in this summer.
Vico Baths, Dublin
@ptmacho16 Vico Baths, Dalkey Ireland🇮🇪 only 20 mins from Dublin #dalkey #ireland #dublin #dalkeyireland #vicobaths ♬ HOTEL LOBBY KID99 – Kid99
Hawk’s Cliff swimming place, commonly known as Vico Baths, is located in Dalkey, Co. Dublin. This is a stunning and perfect place to go for a quick nip when the sun gets too hot.
The spot is currently closed, as of now, but is set to reopen ahead of June with significant upgrades, according to the DLR county council.
The historic spot is often referred to as a hidden gem, and unsurprisingly, it can tend to get quite busy during the summer. If that becomes the case, fear not, because only a 10-minute walk away is our next swimming spot.
White Rock Beach, Dublin
@inireland8 The White Rock Beach ⛱️ #Dublin #Ireland ♬ original sound – In Ireland
Not only is this destination an ideal spot to chill for the day in summer, but it also comes with beautiful views of Bray and Howth.
White Rock Beach is located in Dublin and is only a 20-minute walk from the Killiney Dart Station, making it a very accessible spot to get to wherever you may be.
The beach is sandy, and the water is clear, and the best part is that it’s much more secluded than Killiney beach. To get down to Whiterock, you need to go down roughly 100 steps. Most people tend to stick to the main beach, making it a quieter place to add to your bucket list.
Banna Beach, Kerry
@shaunamoriarty4 Beautiful views of kerry ☀️ #bannabeach #ireland #kerry #views #fyp ♬ This is heaven – Nightshade | Seattle Tattoos
This beach, also known as Banna Strand, is located in Co. Kerry, stretching for approximately 10km along Tralee Bay.
As of April 2026, this beach holds the prestigious blue flag status, signifying excellent water quality, safety and environmental management. This is the perfect spot for all, including families, teenagers or simply people who just want a nice place to swim.
The beach is only 20 minutes from the town centre, and it features ample free parking, lifeguards, public toilets and outdoor showers, and it even has seasonal food trucks like Salty Souls Cafe. You can easily spend your whole summer day here with surfing, walking trails and shallow waters for a dip.
Curracloe Beach, Wexford
@fromnorthtwosouth Another glorious place in ireland you need to save. #fyp #ireland ♬ Golden Hour: Piano Version (Cover) – Andy Morris
This beach is a famous 11km coastline with a white sandy beach and safe swimming. Renowned for its soft sand and blue flag water quality, this beach is a must-do this summer.
The location is also recognised as being in the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan, making it a popular tourist attraction. The beach is popular for swimming, sunbathing, surfing and even has a 5km nature trail at the Raven Point wood walk.
The beach also has an accessibility feature at the white gap, where you can get free beach wheelchairs, prebooking is recommended.
Béal an Mhuirthead, Mayo
@cushlawalls1 Prefect place in Belmullet for a cold water dip place is beautiful 🌊 #fyp #coldwater #ireland #mayo ♬ Originalton – pilla
The Belmullet Tidal pool (Beal and Mhuirthead) is a very cool and unique spot for this summer. It is a free public swimming amenity located on the Shore Road in Belmullet, Co. Mayo.
The public pool is approximately 20m in length, and it is filled with water from the Atlantic Ocean, which is refreshed by the incoming tide. The pool features a shallow small area for children and a deeper section for older swimmers.
It is located about a 12-minute walk from the Belmullet town centre, and the pool is also supervised by lifeguards during July and August. Many locals recommend swimming during high tide as the pool is at its largest and deepest. Although if you are looking for spectacular views, a sunset swim here with the stunning sunset views over Blacksod Bay should not be missed.
Pollock Hole, Clare
@evaseeksadventures 📌 Pollock Holes, County Clare #ireland #swimmingholes #wildswimming #irelandtravel @Ireland ♬ Gracia / Maranata / Lugar Secreto / Enche Me / Para Que Entre o Rei – Edson Nuñez
A series of famous natural tidal rock pools formed over 320 million years ago, has got to be a very unique place for a swim this summer.
The pools are located at the west end of Kilkee town and are only accessible during low tide, meaning time planning has to be done. There are 3 large natural swimming pools ranging from 1 to 2.5 meters deep and 20 to 50 meters in length.
The pools get their name from the small pollock that inhabit them for about 6 months a year. There are also crabs, shrimp and various types of seaweed, making it a popular spot to blend in with the sea world.
Words by Nia Hayden