11 Of The Best Beaches Near Kinsale (4 Of Which Are Under 20 Minutes Away)

If you’re in search of brilliant beaches near Kinsale, you’ve landed in the right place.

Offering some of the best pubs and restaurants in Ireland, as well as a plethora of historic attractions, galleries, and museums, it’s easy to see why Kinsale is so popular.

It’s even home to its own beach (not in the town) and there are plenty of other beaches near Kinsale, many of which are under 20 minutes away.

In the guide below, you’ll find some info on Kinsale beach along with many other sandy spots a stone’s throw from the town.

Water safety warning: Understanding water safety is absolutely crucial when visiting beaches in Ireland. Please take a minute to read these water safety tips. Cheers!

Beaches in Kinsale

Kinsale Beach is also known as ‘Dock Beach’ and ‘Castlepark Beach’, and is located about 3 km from Kinsale town centre.

It’s a nice walk if you’re up for it, though you’ll find limited parking nearby if you prefer to drive.

Small and sheltered, the white sands and azure waters are beautiful, and not what you’d expect on the outskirts of town!

The waters here are popular amongst swimmers and there’s a water activity company (Atlantic Offshore Adventures) operating close by.

There are also jagged cliffs that are great for exploring and checking out the rock pools. Just a stone’s throw from James Fort and the Dock Bar, there’s plenty to do in the area afterwards.

Beaches near Kinsale (less than 20 minutes away)

Kinsale Beach is a beaut but if, like me, you’ve ever tried to get to it during the summer, it can be a bit of a pain crowd-wise.

Fortunately, you’ll find a number of alternatives less than 20 minutes away. Below, you’ll find plenty of beaches near Kinsale that don’t require a huge amount of driving to get to.

1. Sandycove (8-minute drive)

Sandycove, one of the more popular Kinsale beaches, attracts avid stand-up paddle boarders and kayakers seeking the serenity of its sheltered bay.

Here, calm waters offer an ideal setting for leisurely swims during the right conditions. The bay here benefits from the protection of the nearby island which acts as a shield against waves.

As the tide recedes, a mix of rocky outcrops and sandy stretches emerge, revealing a playground of rock pools to explore, if you’re into that kind of thing!

Sandycove Beach is surrounded by lush, rolling green hills but do not that, while basic amenities like portaloos and limited parking are available, there’s little else here.

2. Garrylucas Beach (16-minute drive)

Garrylucas (and neighbouring Garretstown Beach) is one of the most popular beaches near Kinsale and you’ll find it next to the starting point for the Old Head of Kinsale Walk.

Here, you’ll discover beautiful white sand, grassy dunes, rocky cliffs, and crashing waves. Exposed to the elements, it’s popular with water sports enthusiasts. 

During the summer season, the blue flag beach is life-guarded, making it a good spot to spend time with the family or tackling the waves.

Stretching for around 2 km, it’s a great walk. There’s a large car park with toilet facilities right next to the beach, as well as a shop, cafe, and campsite.

Related read: Check out our guide to the best beaches in Cork (a mix of tourist favourites and hidden gems)

3. Coolmain Beach (20-minute drive)

Coolmain is another of several beaches near Kinsale that’s popular for watersports and offers slightly more friendly conditions for the inexperienced.

The long stretch of sandy beach is interspersed with craggy rocks, but is otherwise fairly flat.

When it comes to swimming, caution is needed as there are strong currents here (I’d recommend just dipping the toes!).

So, make sure you don’t venture out far and be vigilant at all times. Parking is limited, and there aren’t any toilets or other amenities at the beach, so be prepared.

4. Harbour View Beach (20-minute drive)

Next to Coolmain Beach, Harbour View is a little more tranquil, with shallower waters and long stretches of sand when the tide goes out.

It’s still popular for kite surfers and kayaks, though if you’re planning to windsurf, Coolmain is the better option.

This tends to be one of the quieter beaches near Kinsale, and there’s ample parking. However, there are no other facilities, such as toilets.

Harbour View is a special area of conservation (SAC), with wetlands and sand dunes behind the beach providing a haven for a wealth of bird and plant species.

5. Nohoval Cove (20-minute drive)

Nohoval Cove is one of the more unique beaches near Kinsale and you’ll find it nestled along the picturesque coastline a short drive from the town.

However, it comes with several warnings; the first is to never enter the water here. It’s in an extremely remote location with rough waters.

The second is that the parking situation here is a nightmare. There’s space for 3 – 4 cars and, as the ‘road’ leading to the beach is narrow, meaning it can be hard to turn around.

I’d only recommend visiting Nohoval during the quieter months.

Beaches close to Kinsale (less than 50 minutes away)

The final section of our guide to the best beaches near Kinsale contains sandy stretches that are under a 50-minute drive away.

Below, you’ll find the brilliant Myrtleville Beach, Fountainstown Beach, Inchydoney Beach and more.

1. Dunworley Beach (39-minute drive)

 

Dunworly is arguably the most overlooked of the many beaches near Kinsale and I’d argue that it’s one of the best beaches in Cork.

Dunworley is fairly small, but it promises craggy rocks and coves, soft sands, clear blue sea, and spectacular scenery.

There’s a wealth of caves and coves to explore (always use caution with tides!), as well as rock pools.

The tide comes right in and the beach disappears completely, so be sure to check tide times if you choose to swim or explore the rocks.

2. Inchydoney Beach (49-minute drive)

Inchydoney Beach is the most popular of the many beaches near Kinsale. A well-known Blue Flag beach near Clonakilty town, it’s located right next to the Inchydoney Hotel.

Inchydoney is actually an island, which can be reached by one of two causeways. The beach itself boasts pristine pale sand that wouldn’t look out of place on a tropical island!

Stretching for more than 2 km, there’s plenty of space for everyone, with the beach split in two by the craggy headland.

It’s a good, beginner-friendly place for surfing, and there’s even a surf school onsite. It’s also ideal for rock pooling, relaxing, walking, scrambling, and watching out for marine life, such as whales and dolphins.

3. Fountainstown Beach (25-minute drive)

 

With a mix of rocky and sandy sections, Fountainstown Beach is great for rock pooling, building sandcastles, and swimming alike.

It’s popular with families, and with shallow waters, it’s a safe beach for paddling and light swimming.

You can also rent kayaks, and with lifeguards on duty throughout the summer season, you can be sure you’re in good hands.

There’s a huge car park, but just one portaloo, which can see long lines during busy weekends.

Related read: Check out our guide to the best beaches in West Cork (a mix of tourist favourites and hidden gems)

4. Myrtleville Beach (29-minute drive)

This is a little gem and is one of the closest beaches to Cork City, which means it can get pretty crowded on a sunny weekend.

It’s popular for swimming, with stretches of sand that are great for relaxing on. You’ll also find plenty of rock pools, too.

There’s no car park or toilet, though the road to the beach is fairly wide and offers quite a lot of parking.

Swimmers can, however, enjoy the rainwater showers, ideal for rinsing off the sand and salt.