Beach · County Clare
Cill Chaoi
Kilkee
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 1 September 2026, was excellent. Live status on beaches.ie, which the EPA updates hourly in season.
Kilkee is a crescent shaped beach of brown coloured, poorly sorted sand and it is fairly flat over most of its width. Due to the wave conditions on the beach, not many animals are to be found living in the sand. However there is a small variety of marine wildlife and the rocky shorelines on either side of Kilkee are rich hunting grounds for those interested in exploring rock-pools. Activities include swimming and sailing. Motorised watercraft, surfing and the use of canoes and kayaks is prohibited in close proximity to swimmers. Beach bye-laws are in place with horse riding and dogs prohibited between 11am and 6pm during the summer season.
Excellent (2025): The highest standard: results over four years were consistently very clean.
The record, year by year
| Year | EPA classification | Samples | Excellent | Good | Sufficient | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Excellent | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Excellent | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Excellent | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Excellent | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Facilities
| Lifeguards | Yes | |
|---|---|---|
| Toilets | Yes | |
| Parking | Yes | |
| Wheelchair access | Yes | Ramp leads onto beach |
| Beach wheelchair | Yes | Specially adapted beach Hippocampe chairs are available at Waterworld, Kilkee.The chairs, with specially-designed wheels, are free of charge and available seven days a week but must be booked in advance. Users will require a carer or personal assistance to operate them. Available through July and August 11am to 5:30pm. To make a booking please call Kilkee Waterworld 065-9056855 |
| Public transport | Yes | |
| First aid | Yes | Available at Lifeguard hut |
| Lifebuoy | Yes | |
| Information board | Yes | |
| Activity zones | No | |
| Litter bins | Yes | |
| Recycling | Yes |
Dogs and cars
- Dogs on a leadBefore 11 am and after 6 pm during summer season, otherwise not allowed at all times onto beach during the summer.
- No cars on the beach
Latest sample (2026-09-01): E. coli <10, intestinal enterococci 10 (cfu/100 ml).
The EPA's bathing water profile
Outdoors in County Clare this week
Best day outdoors: Sat, 10 Oct — dry by day, breezy, up to 13°C
- Fri, 9 Oct14° / 11°Drizzle
- Sat, 10 Oct13° / 8°Sun with grey cloud
- Sun, 11 Oct15° / 14°Drizzle
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 · Co. Kerry · 12 km awayBeale StrandBeachStroll the 3km rocky, sandy beach of Beale Strand in County Kerry around the 'dog-leg' of the Shannon estuary.
Nature spot · 13 km awayVandeleur Walled GardensGardenKilrushWalk, explore, and relax in the enchanted Vandeleur Walled Garden, one of County Clare's most beautiful botanical tributes to Ireland's rich natural history.