Beach · County Waterford
Boatstrand
Can I swim here? Outside the bathing season
The bathing season runs from 1 June to 15 September. Outside it the water is not tested weekly and lifeguards are not on duty. The last sample, on 14 September 2026, was excellent. Live status on beaches.ie, which the EPA updates hourly in season.
Boatstrand Beach and Harbour is located on the South East Coast of County Waterford in the heart of the Copper Coast, about 20 miles from Dungarvan. The sandy beach within and alongside the harbour is safe for swimming with a view stretching for miles along the coast. Care must be taken to avoid contact with the small pleasure and fishing boats that also use the harbour.
The record, year by year
| Year | EPA classification | Samples | Excellent | Good | Sufficient | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Facilities
| Lifeguards | No | |
|---|---|---|
| Toilets | No | |
| Parking | No | |
| Wheelchair access | Yes | Ramp adjacent to beach |
| Beach wheelchair | No | |
| Public transport | No | |
| First aid | No | |
| Lifebuoy | Yes | |
| Information board | Yes | |
| Activity zones | No | |
| Litter bins | Yes | |
| Recycling | No |
Dogs and cars
- Dogs on a lead
Latest sample (2026-09-14): E. coli 51, intestinal enterococci 20 (cfu/100 ml).
Outdoors in County Waterford this week
Best day outdoors: Sat, 10 Oct — dry by day, breezy, up to 13°C
- Fri, 9 Oct14° / 8°Medium rain showers
- Sat, 10 Oct13° / 7°Sun with light cloud
- Sun, 11 Oct14° / 14°Light rain
Make a day of it
The nearest trails, beaches, woods and heritage within 25 km.
Trails & walks
Beaches & bathing waters
Forests & woodlands
Parks, gardens & islands
Nature spot · 7.3 km awayBallyscanlon ForestParkBallyscanlon Forest is located 6.5km west of Tramore on the road to Dungarvan in County Waterford. The site overlooks Ballyscanlon Lake and the Comeragh and Monavillagh from a distant back-drop.
Nature spot · 11 km awayLafcadio Hearn Japanese GardensGardenTramoreNestled in the picturesque seaside town of Tramore in County Waterford, the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens are a captivating tribute to Irish writer Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, celebrated as Japan’s most famous Irishman. These beautifully crafted gardens trace the remarkable journey and legacy of Hearn through a series of enchanting, themed landscapes.