Free plan

Beach · County Cork

Oileán Chléire

Dogs on a lead

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. Live status on beaches.ie, which the EPA updates hourly in season.

Oileán Chléire (Cape Clear Island) has an enviable location – right on the cusp of the continental shelf. The entrance to Roaringwater Bay is one of the leading dolphin, whale, leatherback turtles, sunfish, and shark sighting locations in Europe. The island has Ireland’s only manned bird observatory, which maintains a daily species log since 1959. Located two minutes’ walk from the ferry beach, the observatory is manned by a resident warden (March to November), and even offers birdwatchers hostel-style accommodation. There are various beaches and piers on Cape Clear suitable for swimming, one such area is Trá Coinlín (Coinlín Beach), South Harbour.

Facilities

LifeguardsNo
ToiletsNo
ParkingNo
Wheelchair accessNo
Beach wheelchairNo
Public transportNo
First aidNo
LifebuoyYes
Information boardYes
Activity zonesNo
Litter binsNo
RecyclingNo

Dogs and cars

  • Dogs on a lead
  • No cars on the beach

Outdoors in County Cork this week

Best day outdoors: Sat, 10 Oct — dry by day, breezy, up to 13°C

  1. Fri, 9 Oct14° / 8°Sun with light cloudGreat day outdoors
  2. Sat, 10 Oct13° / 7°Sun with light cloudGreat day outdoors
  3. Sun, 11 Oct15° / 14°Light rainGood day outdoors

Make a day of it

The nearest trails, beaches, woods and heritage within 25 km.

Trails & walks

Beaches & bathing waters

Parks, gardens & islands