13 Beaches in Kerry That’ll Take Your Breath Away

Kerry’s beaches have been shaped by the Atlantic for centuries. Nearly 900 kilometres of coastline wrap around headlands, peninsulas and wide bays, with mountains often rising straight from the sand.

Some of the best beaches in Kerry are the ones you’ll stumble upon without any real planning.

The beaches below are ones that I’ve been returning to since my earliest trips to Kerry as a child, and they never get old.

The best beaches in Kerry

My map above will give you a sense of where each of the beaches can be found. As you can see, they are very spread out.

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!

1. Derrynane Beach

There are few Kerry beaches that can go toe-to-toe with Derrynane Beach, an extensive white sandy beach with clean Blue Flag waters at the tip of the Iveragh peninsula.

Access is through the wooded gardens of historic Derrynane House which is worth a visit. However, the crescent shaped beach of white sand and clear aquamarine water is the main attraction, with Abbey Island at the westernmost end.

Walk along the sandy causeway at low tide and enjoy the coastal scenery from the ruins of St Finian’s Abbey and burial ground. It doesn’t get better than this!

2. Coumeenoole Beach

A breathtaking drive along the scenic Dingle Peninsula brings you to a final treat – Coumeenoole Beach.

It’s a picturesque sight with golden sand lapped by rolling surf at the foot of rugged cliffs and you do need to make a bit of a walk down from the car park on the clifftop.

This wild beach is perfect for forgetting life’s troubles for a bit, and enjoying a walk along the sand or soaking up the views from the grass above (near where you park).

One of the beauties of visiting this place is that it’s on the Slea Head drive, so there’s plenty to see and do nearby.

Note: this is one of many beaches in Kerry that you shouldn’t swim at, as the currents are strong (there’s signage warning of this)

3. Rossbeigh Strand

Rossbeigh Beach is an unusual beach jutting out into the bay and guarding the entrance to Castlemaine Harbour.

It’s the ideal stretch of firm sand for walking and enjoying fine views of the Dingle Mountains. The golden sandy beach stretches for 7km and even hosts a horseracing festival each summer.

The Blue Flag waters are popular for fishing and all types of watersports including windsurfing, kite-surfing and some decent surfing thanks to the prevailing SW winds.

At the south end of the Strand you can grab a pint and a bite to eat in pretty Glenbeigh Village before joining the Kerry Way. 

4. Inch Beach

Inch Beach on the Dingle Peninsula is one of the more popular beaches near Killarney. This is a five-kilometre stretch of sand that pushes out into Dingle Bay, with Kerry’s mountains rising behind it and the Atlantic rolling in from the front.

It’s a place I’ve been stopping at since my earliest trips around the peninsula, and it’s one that I always look forward to returning to.

Surfers gather for the consistent waves, others come to walk the length of the strand, and on clear days the views across to the Iveragh Peninsula are superb. Open, exposed and unmistakably Atlantic, Inch captures Kerry’s coastline at its best.

5. Banna Beach

Another lengthy “Strand”, Banna Beach edges the Kerry coastline for 10km backed by impressive sand dunes that stand 12 metres high in places.

Overlooking Tralee Bay, this beautiful sandy beach is a paradise for walkers, swimmers and those who just want to make sandcastles.

There’s a surf school and lifeguards in summer and is overlooked by Tralee Golf Club, so something for everyone.

This dog-friendly beach (on a lead) has a memorial to Roger Casement who took part in the Easter Rebellion in 1916. There’s plenty of things to do in Tralee when you’ve finished up at Banna.

6. Fenit Beach

Fenit Beach, often called Locke’s Beach, is a compact, sheltered stretch of sand on the edge of Tralee Bay.

Facing south, it looks across calm water toward the mountains of the Dingle Peninsula, which give it a more enclosed, easygoing feel than many Kerry beaches.

The shelter makes a difference here. Swimming is the main draw, with gentler conditions than the open Atlantic beaches nearby.

Fenit holds Blue Flag status and is lifeguarded during the summer months, which adds to its appeal for families.

7. Dooks Beach

Dooks Beach is a sheltered sandy cove near Glenbeigh, just off the Ring of Kerry,, and it’s a place that rewards effort, but only if you’re not driving.

There’s effectively no parking, the access road is extremely narrow, and turning a car can be stressful even when it’s quiet.

On foot or by bike, it’s a different story. The beach is usually empty, with fine sand, calm water, and clear views across to Inch Beach, the Dingle Peninsula, and, on good days, the Blasket Islands.

8. Ballybunion Beach

Ballybunion is a popular resort consisting of two main beaches, both with Blue Flag waters. South Beach (Mens Beach) is the largest, stretching for several kms so it’s never overcrowded.

The Atlantic waves are popular with surfers and rockpools and caves at the foot of cliffs are ideal for exploring.

A headland and remains of a ruined castle separates it from Ladies Beach (North Beach) which has famous seaweed baths, if you’re so inclined. Beyond Mens Beach is Long Strand, another 3km of sand for walking. 

9. Ballinskelligs Beach

Rounding off our collection of the best beaches in Kerry is the brilliant Ballinskelligs Beach, located along the Skellig Ring.

Set within a Special Area of Conservation on the west side of Ballinskelligs Harbour, this gorgeous sandy beach has Blue Flag water overlooked by the remnants of McCarthy’s Castle and an even older Priory with crumbling walls and gravestones.

This family-friendly beach is also a Green Coast Award Beach, an environmental award which recognises excellent water quality and careful management of the natural environment.