The Best Sea Swimming Spots in Dublin (that you can get to without a car!)
One of the things I love about living in Dublin is its proximity to both the mountains AND the sea. If you want to go for a mountain hike, you’ve got the Wicklow mountains right there, which provide excellent hikes or scenic walks along the Wicklow Way (like this one). Or if you want a coastal cliff walk, there are stunning walks like the Howth Head Loop or the Bray to Greystones walk. But if you’re more of a sea swimming and beach person, there are TONS of gorgeous beaches and places to swim along the coast in and near Dublin. It definitely comes in handy on a sunny day in Dublin to have so many options.
Another thing I love about living in Dublin is that when it’s warm and/or sunny, people really appreciate it. Ireland’s general rainy weather make those hot, sunny days all the more sweet.
So when it’s sunny in Dublin, Dubliners FLOCK to the mountains or to one of the many sea swimming spots.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – when it’s a sunny day in Dublin, one of the best things you can do is get your booty down to a beach or swimming spots ASAP. You’re guaranteed gorgeous views and you may even spot a seal! Plus, you always, ALWAYS feel great after a sea swim. Now, how cold the water will be when you get in……….well, that’s a different story…
So, here are my 5 go-to spots for sea swimming in Dublin that are perfect for a sunny day, and all easy to get to if (like me) you don’t have a car and get around by walking, cycling, or taking public transportation. As these are some of best places and beaches to swim in Dublin, they’re loved by locals. So expect them to be pretty busy around high tide, ESPECIALLY if the sun’s out!
The Forty Foot
Sandycove, Dublin
I love the Forty Foot! It’s my favorite place to go swimming in Dublin on a sunny day. It’s located on the southern tip of Dublin Bay and it’s a super popular swimming spot among locals. Sunsets here are breathtaking and you get a great view of the iconic Poolbeg Towers. Plus, you might even see a seal or two while you swim (I have!).
I consider it to have 3 separate “sections” to choose from to swim in, depending on what you want! First is Sandycove Beach (pictured in the main header image of this blog post). It’s tiny, but it’s a cute sandy beach that gets great sun if you’re lucky to nab a spot. Then, a 2-minute walk past the beach brings you to the official “Forty Foot.” This consists of a promontory rock outcrop that blocks the wind, and also makes for the perfect platform to dive/jump from (first row of pictures above). However, this section usually has slightly rougher water and is always busier. Personally, I suggest passing this section, turning to the left, and heading around the corner. Here, you’ll find another section (pictured in bottom row above). From here you get a gorgeous view of Sandycove village while you swim. And although there’s no place to jump, the waters are calmer and it’s less crowded.
How to Get There
By Public Transportation
Take the Southbound DART to Sandycove and Glasthule, then a 15 minute walk
By Cycling
A 45-minute cycle from Dublin City Centre, using Temple Bar as a reference point. This is a pretty flat, easy cycle. Part of the journey is along the “Coastal Mobility Route,” a 4.5km cycle route along the coastline from Blackrock to Sandycove, 3.6 km of which is a two-way fully segregated cycle lane.
Pros
- Like I mentioned above, there are several different areas/sections to swim in. You can chill and swim at Sandycove beach, you can jump in from the rocks or use the handrails to get in at the rocky outcrop section, or you can get in using the handrails at the calmer, less busy section around the corner to the left.
- Handrails providing easy access in and out of the water
- Public toilets available a 2-minute walk from Sandycove Beach on Sandycove Avenue West (see here on Google Maps). They cost €0.50 to use.
- Rocks provide a diving platform
- Lifeguards on duty at Sandycove Beach during the summer months
- On a nice day, you’ll find an icecream truck nearby!
Cons
- Gets super busy when it’s hot
- A little bit of a further walk from the DART station than some of the other options
- The water can be quite choppy if it’s windy
- Lifeguards are at Sandycove Beach, but not at the Forty Foot area.
- Rocks can be slippery
- If you are driving there, parking isn’t the easiest. There is no parking lot nearby, so you have to parallel park on nearby residential streets. Finding free parking here can be really hard on a busy day. Or, the closest paid parking is Windsor Terrace (23-minute walk) or Eden Park (25-minute walk)
- Sandycove beach can be very crowded when it’s sunny out, since it’s small and loved by Dublin locals.
And while you’re there….
If you go to the Forty Foot on a Sunday, make sure to head to the People’s Park in Dun Laoghaire for the Sunday farmer’s market. It’s only an 18-minute walk along the water from the Forty Foot to the park. The Dún Laoghaire CoCo Market is open every Sunday from 11AM – 4PM and has a large selection of food trucks, arts & crafts, books, and local food and produce.
Alternatively, Sandycove Store & Yard is a great spot for some post-swim food or coffee. Plus, they even have saunas you can book for 30 minutes or an hour!
Killiney Beach
Killiney, Dublin
Another great place for a swim and a day out near Dublin? Killiney Beach. It’s super accessible to the DART line and there’s also a good amount of parking nearby. There’s also a great spot right on the beach that sells coffee, pastries, ice cream, and good sandwiches! I love coming here for the day to lay out and get in and out of the water. Plus, there’s always lots of cute dogs running around! What more could you want?!
How to Get There
By Public Transportation
Take the Southbound DART to Killiney, then a 2 minute walk
By Cycling
A 1-hour cycle from Dublin City Centre. This cycle is a little more hilly and strenuous than others on this list, and the shortest way doesn’t bring you along the coast. So it’s not as nice as other cycles listed here in my opinion.
Pros
- Only a 2-minute walk from the train station to the beach
- There’s a parking lot nearby, as well as on-street parking on Killiney Hill
- Great to go even when the tide isn’t super high
- Lifeguards on duty during the summer months
- This beach has toilets! They are located at the parking lot next to the DART station and are open at different times depending on the time of year. Find the schedule and more information here
- Fred and Nancy’s food truck on the beach serve coffee, pastries, ice cream, and great sandwicehs
Cons
- Although this is one of my favorite beaches in Dublin, it’s a rocky beach, not a sand beach. So it’s really hard to walk on the rocks to get in/out of the water. I would suggest bringing water shoes if you have them
And while you’re there….
Definitely hit up Fred & Nancy’s while you’re there for some treats. It’s a food truck located right on the beach. It really couldn’t get any more convenient than that! Their Rueben sandwiches are delish!
While you’re out in Killiney, I would also highly suggest a walk up Killiney Hill. It’s one of the best and most popular scenic walks in Dublin, and a really popular activity to do when it’s sunny. Pass some of the most expensive and sought-after houses in Ireland and take in the gorgeous views of the coastline, as well as Dublin City in the distance in one direction and the Wicklow mountains in the other, as you complete one of the three routes along the hill to choose from.
Seapoint
Monkstown, Dublin
Seapoint is another one of my regular go-to places for sunny day swim because it’s one of the most centrally located ones in Dublin. So if I’m cycling, this one is veryyyyy handy to get to. I also love this spot because the water tends to be a little warmer here vs. other areas, and there’s lots of bike parking and benches to leave your stuff while you swim.
How to Get There
By Public Transportation
Take the Southbound DART to Seapoint, then a 7 minute walk
By Cycling
An easy 30-minute cycle from Dublin City Centre. Make sure to go along the Coastal Mobility Route from Booterstown to Seapoint to get gorgeous views of the sea while cycling.
Pros
- Water tends to be warmer than other swimming spots
- Closer to Dublin city centre than some of the other swimming spots
- Lots of benches and places to sit
- Lifeguards on duty during the summer months
- There are toilets here too! They are located right next to the Martello Tower and are open at different times depending on the time of year. Find the schedule and more information here
Cons
- Seapoint isn’t a great place to swim at low tide, as the water is really far out when the tide is low.
- As this is one of the swimming spots that’s closest to Dublin City, the water here isn’t as clean as some other spots, I’ve heard. Sometimes when there’s sewage or other water contamination issues in the city, this is the first spot to close. Take that information how you will…
And while you’re there….
Avoca Monkstown is a great restaurant, cafe, and food market nearby. The carrot cake is DIVINE.
Dollymount Strand / Bull Island
Clontarf, Dublin
This is actually one of my favorite places to swim or lay out on the beach in Dublin. However, it is a little bit harder to get to on public transportation than some of the other spots on this list. Unlike the other places, Dollymount Strand is only accessible with public transportation by bus, not by train.
But once you’re there, it’s such a treat. Walking along the long wooden bridge to Bull Island, you’ll see dedicated men and women’s swimming spots on the right (top row of pictures above). Both the men and women’s spots have lots of benches to sit on, and handrails to easily get in and out of the water. Plus, there’s gorgeous views of Poolbeg towers. On the right side of the wooden bridge, there’s a long stretch of gorgeous sandy beach (bottom row of pictures above). In my opinion, this is one of the best beaches in Dublin, if not THE best. And, it’s just outside of the city centre.
How to Get There
By Public Transportation
From Busáras bus station, take Bus 130 towards Castle Ave. and get off at Bull Island stop 1752, then a 15-20 minute walk
By Cycling
A 30-minute easy cycle from Dublin City Centre that brings you through Dublin’s northside and then a GORGEOUS coastal cycling path along the Clontarf Promenade.
Pros
- Beach on one side, swimming spot on the other
- Really nice cycle out from Dublin
- Really nice view of Poolbeg Towers while swimming
- Separate Men and Women’s Areas equipped with benches and handrails to easily get in and out of the water
- Lifeguards on duty at the beach during the summer months
- Out of all the swimming spots on this list, this one is the shortest cycle from Dublin City Centre and goes along a gorgeous cycle route
Cons
- Harder to get to with public transporation than the other options on this list
- No bathroom facilities
- Although lifeguards are at the Dollymount beach side during the summer, there are no lifeguards on the Bull Wall bathing area.
- The water on the beach side isn’t great for swimming. I would suggest swimming on the Bull Wall side and then laying out on the Dollymount Beach side.
- No public toilets near the men/women bathing areas.
And while you’re there….
Happy Out is a coffee shop built out of a shipping container located on the Wooden Bridge leading to Bull Island. It’s a great spot for coffee, toasties, or a light breakfast!
Coliemore Harbour
Dalkey, Dublin
The Vico Baths in Dalkey is a super popular spot for sea swimming, but I’m going to give my last spot to a little bit of a dark horse instead. Coliemore Harbour is also located in Dalkey village but it’s lesser known / less popular for a swim spot. BUT that means it’s quieter. Also, I find that the Vico Baths can be a lot rougher when it’s windy, whereas Coliemore Harbour is a lot more calm because of the way it’s situated. Plus, it’s a slightly shorter walk from Dalkey DART station than the Vico Baths.
What I love about Coliemore Harbor is that you truly feel like you’re in a more rugged landscape than just outside of Dublin. It feels more like west Cork or something when you’re there. It’s so quiet and calm. There are lots of small, colorful boats tied up to shore. You also have a fantastic view of Dalkey Island. You may even catch a boat tour bringing visitors to the island.
How to Get There
By Public Transportation
Take the Southbound DART to Dalkey, then a 15 minute walk
By Cycling
A 1-hour moderate cycle. Just a little bit past the Forty Foot, so the cycle route is the same, just a little further.
Pros
- Never super crowded
- Not a far walk from the cute Dalkey Village
- Gorgeous views of Dalkey Island
- Deep enough to jump in
- You’ll often catch dogs swimming here!
Cons
- There are no handrails, so it is a little harder to get in and out of the water
- Very limited parking nearby
- No public toilets at the harbor
- No lifeguards here
And while you’re there….
Before or after your swim, crab a coffee at Mugs Café in Dalkey Village!
Or if you’re looking for a proper meal, The Corner Note Café is a great spot for lunch or all day breakfast!
So there you have it – my favorite spots for a sea swim in Dublin that are easy to get to with public transportation or by cycling. Since moving to Dublin I’ve gotten a lot more into sea swimming, and it’s definitely one of my favorite things to do when it’s sunny and hot day in Dublin! And these 5 places are my go-to spots in or near Dublin for swimming!
And because I’m SOOO nice, I’ve mapped out each of these spots, as well as the closest DART/bus station to each AND my food/drink recommendations by each one in the map below! Oh, and I also added the Vico Baths into the map as well as another option!
I hope you get to visit some of these places from Dublin and have an GORGE sea swim!
