Beach · County Dublin
Sandycove Beach
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.
Sandycove beach is a tiny beach which offers shallow water to paddle and lovely views to admire. This seaside suburb is located around a pleasant harbour and has a famous Martello Tower where the writer James Joyce once stayed for a week as a guest of poet Oliver St. John Gogarty. It is also home to the traditional Irish bathing place, the Forty Foot, where brave bathers swim all year round.
Good (2025): A good standard over four years.
The record, year by year
| Year | EPA classification | Samples | Excellent | Good | Sufficient | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | 17 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Good | 16 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | Good | 16 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | Good | 16 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2022 | Good | 16 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | — | 15 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 | — | 15 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 17 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Facilities
| Lifeguards | Yes | During bathing season only |
|---|---|---|
| Toilets | Yes | |
| Parking | Yes | |
| Wheelchair access | Yes | Disabled parking bay |
| Beach wheelchair | No | |
| Public transport | No | |
| First aid | Yes | Available from lifeguard hut when lifeguard is on duty |
| Lifebuoy | Yes | Lifebuoys are located on the perimeter of the beach. |
| Information board | Yes | A physical notice board and digital screen are located near the Lifeguard Hut. |
| Activity zones | No | |
| Litter bins | Yes | Litter bins are located near the Lifeguard Hut. |
| Recycling | No |
Dogs and cars
- Dogs are not allowedGuide dogs only
- No cars on the beach
- Car-free zone
Latest sample (2026-09-14): E. coli 10, intestinal enterococci 1 (cfu/100 ml).
The EPA's bathing water profile
Outdoors in County Dublin this week
Best day outdoors: Sun, 11 Oct — dry by day, light winds, up to 13°C
- Fri, 9 Oct14° / 8°Drizzle
- Sat, 10 Oct12° / 7°Scattered clouds
- Sun, 11 Oct13° / 13°Scattered clouds
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 · 1.9 km awayMornington GardenGardenDalkeyMornington Garden is situated beside Killiney Hill, just above the beautiful heritage village of Dalkey, County Dublin. It has been in the Bowring family for well over 50 years. Open by appointment, please phone or email in advance to confirm.
Nature spot · 2.1 km awayKilliney & Dalkey HillsParkKillineyKilliney Hill and Dalkey Hill form part of Killiney Hill Park, a small public park overlooking both Dalkey and Killiney villages. The views of Dublin in all directions are spectacular from this vantage point, especiallly from atop the pyramid or wishing stone.