#669 European Rank
Strandhill Beach
Strandhill, County Sligo, Ireland•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Rossographer (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.09/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
15.5°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€52/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Moderate Surf
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
...
Exercise Caution
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 Strandhill Beach: Noticeable shorebreak; recommend caution for small children and non-swimmers. 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) · Strandhill, County Sligo, Ireland
Crisp & Bracing
Early August
15.5°C
Air ~26°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 · 15.5°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.7°C | 12°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 8.1°C | 13°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 8.2°C | 15°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 9.3°C | 18°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 11.1°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 13.3°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| July | 14.9°C | 26°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| August | 15.5°C | 26°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| September | 14.9°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| October | 13.3°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| November | 11.6°C | 17°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 10.0°C | 14°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Ireland Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Peak 15.5°C in August · cold-water plunge / wetsuit season
Planning around peak water warmth (15.5°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Strandhill Beach for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Strandhill Beach (Strandhill, County Sligo, Ireland)
🌊 Water temperature: 15.5°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/strandhill-beach-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: Excellent
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
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 & Setting4.2 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.9 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Strandhill Beach
All waves, no swimming: Sligo's surf capital beneath Queen Maeve's mountain.
Destination Advisory & Classificationcold-water destination (15.5°C peak) — aesthetic/scenic ranking rather than warm swimming; high wave / surf hazard — non-swimmable shorebreak
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Located 8km west of Sligo town, accessible via the R292 with dedicated parking and promenade access.
•Protected Status / Environment: Part of the Cummeen Strand / Drumcliff Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC); swimming prohibited due to strong currents.
•Notable Feature: Premier Irish surf hub featuring the purpose-built National Surf Centre with dramatic views of Knocknarea.
Official Tourism Authorities:discoverireland.ie
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
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Full-Day Unobstructed Sunlight
Open shoreline with full solar exposure from mid-morning through evening twilight.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
YesShowers
YesFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
NoLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Strandhill, County Sligo. Accessible via regional coastal roads (54.272°N, -8.608°E).
•Prohibited; powerful rips; this is a surf beach, not a bathing one.
•Under cairn-topped Knocknarea, with seaweed baths and chip vans along the shorefront.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Strandhill, County Sligo, Ireland.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Strandhill Beach?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Strandhill Beach
What is the water temperature at Strandhill Beach?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Strandhill Beach averages 15.5°C (60°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Strandhill Beach?
Strandhill Beach is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Strandhill, County Sligo, Ireland.
Is Strandhill Beach good for families with kids?
Yes, Strandhill Beach is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Strandhill Beach?
Free parking is available. Restroom facilities are present.
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