6 Best Beaches Near Westport (3 Are Under 30 Minutes Away)

There are plenty of beaches near Westport for those of you looking to escape the town’s hustle and bustle for a while.

During the summer months, the sandy stretches within easy reach of the town, like Bertra, tend to be thronged with people.

However, during the off-season, you’ll regularly find many of these beaches completely void of people.

Below, you’ll find a clatter of beaches near Westport, many of which are well under 40-minutes away!

Beaches near Westport

Before we look at the various Westport beaches, a warning – please only ever enter the water when conditions are good and if you understand water safety.

Several of the beaches below have no lifeguard service while others only have lifeguards on duty during the summer months.

1. Bertra Beach (20-minute drive)

Bertra Beach is called ‘Westport Beach’ in a well-known American publication. This has unfortunately led many to believe it’s in the town (it isn’t – it’s a 20-minute drive).

a narrow, mostly sandy beach that connects Bertra Island with the mainland. It’s a Blue Flag beach with lovely views of Clew Bay, its famous drumlins, and of Croagh Patrick. 

The beach has some facilities like a car park with disabled spaces, picnic benches, and a summer lifeguard service.

Its waters are popular with swimmers, kite surfers, and windsurfers. Bertra Beach has a pleasant 4km stroll that takes you along the sand and on a loop of the ‘island’.

PLEASE NOTE that this walk should only be attempted if you can read the tide times.

2. Old Head Beach (25-minute drive)

Old Head Beach is a lovely rural beach on the shores of Clew Bay in Louisburgh.

It’s a long sandy beach bordered by rocky outcrops on one end and a pier on the other. The beach is a popular spot for families, swimmers, and walkers.

During the summer, there’s a lifeguard service, kayak and SUP rental, and public toilets. 

On the other side of the pier, there is a smaller sandy cove that is bordered by the Oldhead Wood Nature Reserve.

The reserve has a scenic walking trail that passes through the forest and along the coast. 

3. Carrowmore Beach (30-minute drive)

Carrowmore Beach is one of my favourite beaches near Westport and a popular beach for families.

The beach has glorious views across the water to Clare Island and Achill Island and is backed by ecologically important machair grassland.

The beach is sandy and stony, stretching for 800 metres, making it a top choice for a coastal stroll! 

There’s a large car park with enough space for 40 cars plus disabled parking spaces, a summer lifeguard service, and seasonal public toilets.

4. Silver Strand (40-minute drive)

Silver Strand is arguably one of the best beaches in Mayo (nearby White Strand is also well worth a look!).

You’ll find it near, Louisburg where it sits at the mouth of Killary Fjord.

The beach has fine silvery sand and fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Inishbofin, and Inishturk Island. 

 Although Silver Strand is quite remote, there’s a large car park at the beach entrance and portable toilets. 

Silver Strand is popular with swimmers, but since there’s no lifeguard service and it’s remote, I’d advise against anything other than dipping the toes.

5. Mulranny Beach (40-minute drive)

Mulranny Beach is a popular Blue Flag beach a short walk from Mulranny Town. It’s a long sandy beach that’s backed by sand dunes and pebbles in some areas. 

The beach has a summer lifeguard service and there’s a small car park close to the shore.

If you can, I’d recommend parking in the village and walking to the beach via the Mulranny Causeway. 

The elevated causeway dates back to 1889, passing through the Mulranny Salt Marsh, an important marine habitat. 

Mulranny Beach has beautiful views across Clew Bay, and on clear days you can spot the mountains on the other side.

6. Keel Beach (1-hour drive)

Keel Beach, also known as Trawmore sand, is a 4km long white sand and stony beach on Achill Island.

The crescent-shaped beach is backed by low sand dunes, machair grassland, and the Achill Golf Club. 

It’s overlooked by Minaun Heights, a popular viewpoint on the island.

If you walk to the right side of the beach, you’ll find Cathedral Rocks, interesting rock formations carved out by erosion. 

Keel Beach is exposed, so it’s a great surf spot with two surf schools operating.

Explore beyond the Westport beaches

Now that we have the Westport beaches out of the way, it’s time to see what else the area has to offer!

Here are several things to do in Westport and beyond:

• Walks: Croagh Patrick and Tourmakeady Waterfall
• Attractions: Westport House, Achill Island and the Lost Valley
• Drives: Louisburgh to Leenane and Achill’s Atlantic Drive