Beach · County Clare
Rinn na Spáinneach
Spanish Point
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.
Spanish Point lies to the west of Milltown Malbay on the road from Quilty to Lahinch. It is an extensive stretch of sandy beach which forms a straight face onto the open Atlantic sea at Mal Bay. The long spine of rocks which stick out into the sea and the rocky shoreline at the northern end of the strand are very interesting places to observe a variety of plants and animals. There is a small variety of shellfish and marine vegetation. Activities include swimming and surfing. 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 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Excellent | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | Excellent | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Excellent | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Excellent | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 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 | No | |
| Public transport | No | |
| First aid | Yes | Available at Lifeguard hut |
| Lifebuoy | Yes | |
| Information board | Yes | |
| Activity zones | Yes | Information at Lifeguard Hut |
| Litter bins | Yes | |
| Recycling | No |
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 30, intestinal enterococci 20 (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 · 9.7 km awayBá na Duimhche MóireDoughmore BayBeachSaunter down the 4.5km sandy beach of Doughmore Bay and breathe in the crisp, fresh sea air.
Nature spot · 23 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.