Beach · County Kerry
Maharabeg
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.
Maharabeg Beach is a sandy beach, with a shingle ridge, and faces east/south-east into Tralee Bay. It is largely sheltered from severe wave activity and from the prevailing winds by virtue of its orientation and its location on the Maharees Peninsula. Maharabeg beach consists of fixed marram-dunes which support a wide range of vegetation. Other vegetation includes an area of coastal grassland to the rear of the site. A significant portion of the contributing catchment of Maharabeg Beach is located within the Tralee Bay and Magharees Peninsula Special Area of Conservation (Site Code 002070). Activities include swimming, angling and a range of other water sports. The bathing area is approximately 700m in length and is located on the eastern side of the Maharees Peninsula.
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 | — | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Excellent | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Excellent | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Excellent | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Excellent | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Facilities
| Lifeguards | Yes | |
|---|---|---|
| Toilets | Yes | |
| Parking | Yes | |
| Wheelchair access | Yes | Ramp |
| Beach wheelchair | No | |
| Public transport | No | |
| First aid | Yes | Available from Lifeguard hut |
| Lifebuoy | Yes | |
| Information board | Yes | |
| Activity zones | No | |
| Litter bins | Yes | |
| Recycling | Yes |
Dogs and cars
- Dogs are not allowedDogs are not allowed on the Blue-Flag section of the Beach (ie. within the Lifeguard Patrol area) between 11am and 7pm each day from the 1st June to 15th September inclusive.
- No cars on the beach
Latest sample (2026-09-07): E. coli 53, intestinal enterococci 28 (cfu/100 ml).
The EPA's bathing water profile
Outdoors in County Kerry this week
Best day outdoors: Fri, 9 Oct — a little daytime rain, windy, up to 13°C
- Fri, 9 Oct13° / 11°Drizzle
- Sat, 10 Oct13° / 11°Grey cloud
- Sun, 11 Oct15° / 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 · 1.6 km awayMaharees BeachBeachMaharees Beach is a beautiful sandy beach. The area of Maharees is located in the north of Dingle Peninsula and is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of Brandon and Tralee Bay, in County Kerry. It is a 5km long tombolo that neighbours nearby Castlegregory Village and Tralee town.
Nature spot · 7.6 km awayTrá FhormaoileachFermoyle StrandBeachOne of the longest beaches in Ireland, Fermoyle Strand makes up part of the sweeping curve of Brandon Bay on the northern side of the Dingle Peninsula. It is the perfect base for watersports enthusiasts, or those simply looking to soak up the sound of the waves.