#593 European Rank Blue Flag Certified
Ballymastocker Bay
Portsalon, Donegal, Ireland•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: June, July, August
Photo: Andreas F. Borchert (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.22/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
14.9°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€48/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Gentle Wave Action
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces W (270°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Good Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces W (270°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
W (270°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 0°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the W-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for Ballymastocker Bay: Light coastal break; family friendly with standard water awareness. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Portsalon, Donegal, Ireland
Crisp & Bracing
Early August
14.9°C
Air ~25°C
Short dips only; spring wetsuit recommended
Invigorating cold dip. Swimmers generally wear a shorty wetsuit for sessions over 10–15 minutes.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 14.9°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.9°C | 11°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 8.4°C | 12°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 8.3°C | 14°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 9.0°C | 17°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 10.5°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 12.5°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| July | 14.1°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| August | 14.9°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| September | 14.5°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| October | 13.1°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| November | 11.6°C | 16°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 10.1°C | 13°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Ireland Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Peak 14.9°C in August · cold-water plunge / wetsuit season
Planning around peak water warmth (14.9°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Ballymastocker Bay for the optimal June–July–August swimming window.
Share with your group
Send today's water temperature, wind shelter, and beach access straight into your chat.
Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Ballymastocker Bay (Portsalon, Donegal, Ireland)
🌊 Water temperature: 14.9°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/ballymastocker-bay-ie/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: ExcellentCertified Blue Flag
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Excellent Quality
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.6 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness5.0 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.8 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.2 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Ballymastocker Bay
A golden crescent on Lough Swilly in Donegal, regularly ranked among the world's most beautiful beaches.
Destination Advisory & Classificationcold-water destination (14.9°C peak) — aesthetic/scenic ranking rather than warm swimming
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: R268 Knockalla coast road leading to Portsalon car park and dune access tracks
•Protected Status / Environment: Blue Flag beach and designated Natural Heritage Area on Lough Swilly
•Notable Feature: Sweeping 2km golden crescent bay voted second most beautiful beach in the world by The Observer, overlooked by Knockalla Mountain
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (100%)Private Concessions (0%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
Free (100% Public)
No commercial loungers; bring your own parasol and beach mat.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: 100% open public coastline. No commercial sunbed concessions or umbrella installations permitted.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Typical Rate: ~€8/day
EasyPark AppPayByPhone App
EasyPark mobile app is widely supported across blue-line municipal zones.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Morning Shade • Late Afternoon Golden Hours
Faces westward into the open horizon, offering bright afternoon sun and prime sunset vantage points.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
NoFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
YesSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
NoNudist / FKK Friendly
YesGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Portsalon, Donegal. Accessible via regional coastal roads (55.200°N, -7.630°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Ballymastocker Bay involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Sheltered by the lough; cold but calm.
•The green flank of the Fanad peninsula on Lough Swilly.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Portsalon, Donegal, Ireland.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Ballymastocker Bay?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ballymastocker Bay
What is the water temperature at Ballymastocker Bay?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Ballymastocker Bay averages 14.9°C (59°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Ballymastocker Bay?
Ballymastocker Bay is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Portsalon, Donegal, Ireland.
Is Ballymastocker Bay good for families with kids?
Ballymastocker Bay has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Ballymastocker Bay?
Parking arrangements vary locally. No public restrooms directly on-site.
More Beaches in IrelandRegional Guide
4.3
County Mayo (Achill Island), Ireland•Atlantic Ocean
Warmest water in Ireland (Aug)
16.4°C sea
40/day
White Sand
19°C• Kids
Stays from €40/n
4.2
Mizen Peninsula, West Cork, Ireland•Atlantic Ocean
Clearest water in Ireland
16°C sea
48/day
Golden Sand
27°C• Scenic
Stays from €48/n
4.2
County Kerry (Ring of Kerry), Ireland•Atlantic Ocean
2nd Warmest water in Ireland (Aug)
16.4°C sea
40/day
White Sand
19°C• Kids
Stays from €40/n
Warmest European Beaches this SeasonNOAA Climatology
4.7
Alanya, Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
29°C sea
44/day
Golden Sand
37°C• Kids
Stays from €44/n
4.5
Antalya, Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
2nd Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
29°C sea
43/day
Pebbles
37°C• Kids
Stays from €43/n
4.8
Antalya (Kalkan), Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
3rd Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
28.9°C sea
45/day
White Sand
32°C• Kids
Stays from €45/n
4.8
Antalya (Kemer), Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
3rd Longest swim season in Mediterranean Sea · 200 days
28.9°C sea
20/day
White Sand
33°C• Kids
Stays from €20/n