At around 2.6km in length, the long and sandy Bertra Beach near Westport is a fine spot for a ramble.
It is located in Murrisk, right on the edge of Clew Bay and at the foot of towering Croagh Patrick.
Boasting a Blue Flag for 2024 along with a summer lifeguard service, there’s a lot to like about Bertra Beach, as you’ll discover below.
Some quick need-to-knows about Bertra Beach
Photos courtesy Michael Mc Laughlin via Falte Ireland
Although a visit to Bertra Beach is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
1. Location
Bertra Beach is nestled on the southern shores of Clew Bay in County Mayo. It’s a 5-minute drive from Murrisk and less than 20-minutes from Westport.
2. Parking
There’s a car park right next to the beach at the end of a narrow road. The car park has enough space for around 40 cars plus a couple of disabled parking spaces (see parking here on Google Maps).
3. Safety/tide warning
As you’ll see in the map below, Bertra extends out into Clew Bay and it’s this extension that makes up the loop walk discussed later in this guide. A large section of this beach will become submerged when the tide comes in. For this reason, if you don’t understand how to read tide times you should avoid the walk as you could easily be cut off by the sea.
4. Swimming
Bertra Beach is a popular spot for a swim amongst capable swimmers that understand water safety. Please only enter the water when conditions are suitable and remember that there is only lifeguards on duty during summer.
About Bertra Beach
Betra Beach is a long mostly sandy beach/spit that connects Betra Island with the mainland.
The Blue Flag beach juts out into Clew Bay, with mighty views of the Clew Bay Islands, Croagh Patrick and Achill Island.
The beach is popular for swimming, kite surfing, and windsurfing, and in the summer, there’s a lifeguard service.
Bertra Beach has a decent-sized car park with disabled spaces and a couple of picnic benches.
Note that this is one of the more popular beaches in Mayo due to it’s proximity to busy Westport, so it gets busy come summer.
The Bertra Beach walk
The Bertra Beach walk is an easy-going 4km stroll that tends to take around 1 hour, depending on pace.
A disclaimer – do not attempt this walk if you don’t understand how to read tide times.
This walk takes you out onto the sand spit which becomes submerged around high tide.
If you don’t time this walk correctly, you could easily become separated from the mainland.
Things to do near Bertra Beach
One of the beauties of Bertra Beach is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best things to do in Mayo.
Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Bertra.
1. Food in Westport (20-minute drive)
Photos via Cian’s on FB
Westport has lots of great options for food. For something really special head to An Port Mór restaurant for modern Irish cuisine.
Ring’s Bistro and the Olde Bridge Restaurant are 2 other good options (see my Westport restaurants guide for more).
2. Old Head Beach (10-minute drive)
Photo via Shutterstock
Old Head Beach is another of the more popular beaches in the area.
In the summer, there’s a lifeguard service and you can rent kayaks and stand-up paddle boards or take lessons.
3. Murrisk Abbey (5-minute drive)
Photos via Shutterstock
Murrisk Abbey dates back to 1457. The abbey is at the foot of Croagh Patrick, and the mountain makes a stunning backdrop to the stone ruins.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.