Beach · County Wicklow
Silver Strand
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 good. Live status on beaches.ie, which the EPA updates hourly in season.
Silver Strand is a sandy beach falling away gradually with depth. The beach is somewhat exposed and can be expected to be rough at times. The Wicklow Head Special Protection Area (SPA 004127) and Wicklow Reef Special Area of Conservation (SAC 002274) are located 1.2km to the North. The beach is divided at high tide and can only be accessed via the either caravan parks.
Sufficient (2025): Meets the minimum standard over four years.
The record, year by year
| Year | EPA classification | Samples | Excellent | Good | Sufficient | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Sufficient | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Good | 10 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | Good | 10 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | Excellent | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Facilities
| Lifeguards | No | |
|---|---|---|
| Toilets | Yes | |
| Parking | Yes | Parking available in the caravan parks. |
| Wheelchair access | No | |
| Beach wheelchair | No | |
| Public transport | No | |
| First aid | Yes | First Aid available at the house at the entrance to Silver Strand caravan park. |
| Lifebuoy | Yes | |
| Information board | Yes | Information displayed at caravan park notice board. |
| Activity zones | No | |
| Litter bins | Yes | |
| Recycling | Yes |
Dogs and cars
- Dogs on a lead
- No cars on the beach
Latest sample (2026-09-07): E. coli 259, intestinal enterococci 96 (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 · 6.7 km awayBrittas Bay North BeachBeachBrittas Bay North is a beautiful long sandy beach in County Wicklow, approximately 16km from Wicklow Town.
Nature spot · 7.5 km awayThe Dower House GardensGardenThe Dower House Gardens are 19th century gardens surrounding an 18th century house with lawns, magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons and wisteria. Dower House is located in Ashford, County Wicklow.