Beach · County Wicklow
Bray South Promenade
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 7 September 2026, was excellent. Live status on beaches.ie, which the EPA updates hourly in season.
Bray South Beach is a gently sloping, shingle beach which leads onto clear waters with some growth of seaweed. The beach is not overly exposed with Bray headland to the south. The Special Conservation Area of Bray Head and seawaters beneath provide rich habitats for local flora and local fauna. Cormorants, porpoises and dolphins are often seen.
Good (2025): A good standard over four years.
The record, year by year
| Year | EPA classification | Samples | Excellent | Good | Sufficient | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | 11 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | Good | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Good | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Good | 10 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2022 | Good | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Facilities
| Lifeguards | Yes | |
|---|---|---|
| Toilets | Yes | |
| Parking | Yes | |
| Wheelchair access | Yes | Disability access ramp & boardwalk along shingle |
| Beach wheelchair | No | |
| Public transport | Yes | Dart light rail, Dublin Bus. |
| First aid | Yes | Available at Lifeguard station |
| Lifebuoy | Yes | |
| Information board | Yes | |
| Activity zones | No | |
| Litter bins | Yes | |
| Recycling | No |
Dogs and cars
- Dogs on a lead
- No cars on the beach
Latest sample (2026-09-07): E. coli 10, intestinal enterococci 3 (cfu/100 ml).
The EPA's bathing water profile
Outdoors in County Wicklow this week
Best day outdoors: Sat, 10 Oct — dry by day, breezy, up to 13°C
- Fri, 9 Oct14° / 9°Light rain
- Sat, 10 Oct13° / 8°Sun with light cloud
- Sun, 11 Oct14° / 13°Sun with light cloud
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 · 2.5 km awayFestina Lente GardensGardenFestina Lente Gardens are a hidden gem. Hidden in Old Connaught Avenue behind the walls lays a historic Victorian Walled Garden.The gardens are perfectly mantained, have a stunning water feature and plenty of space to picnic and for adults and children to enjoy.
Nature spot · 4.5 km awayAvoca KilmacanogeGardenAvoca Kilmacanoge is a beautiful place to visit while exploring Wicklow, the garden of Ireland. Here, you will find a wonderful retail store and food market, a garden centre and nursery, the self-service Sugar Tree Café, and the stunning table service restaurant, the Fern House.