If you’re in search of the finest beaches in Sligo, you’ve landed in the right place.
Soft, golden sand, the tang of seaweed in the air and magnificent mountain views – the beaches in Sligo are things of glory.
In fact, it’s probably no surprise that many of the best things to do in Sligo involve either sand or mountains. A fine combo!
In the guide below, you’ll find some of the best Sligo beaches on offer, from tourist favourites, like Strandhill Beach, to often-missed stretches of sand, like Streedagh Beach.
Our favourite Sligo beaches
The first section of our guide to the best beaches in Sligo is filled with our favourite sandy stretches in the county.
Below, you’ll find everywhere from the magnificent beaches of Dunmoran and Rosses Point to Streedagh and much more.
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. Strandhill Beach
Calling all surfers! Strandhill Beach benefits from the wild Atlantic waves, making it a popular surfer destination all year round and the beach is said to be one of the best beaches in Europe to take your board.
As it’s part of the popular village of Strandhill, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and pubs for post-surf refreshment and there are several local surf schools offering lessons.
When the weather isn’t as windy, stand up paddling is an option too. Because of the water’s strong currents, swimming is not allowed at Strandhill Beach.
2. Streedagh Beach
The often-missed Streedagh Beach is a 3km-long sandy beach that links Streedagh Point to Connor’s Island and it’s a fantastic place to take a stroll.
Throughout your walk, you’ll be afforded magnificent views of Sligo’s stunning coastline. As it’s an exposed beach, it’s also popular with the surfers and stand-up paddle boarders.
Watch them wrestle with nature or join in too. This is one of my favourite Sligo beaches to watch the sun drop, as you get a gorgeous view out towards an illuminated Benbulben as you stroll.
3. Rosses Point Beach
The Blue Flag Rosses Point Beach is located 8km from Sligo Town, making it a popular destination amongst people staying in the town.
Rosses Point has three sandy beaches where visitors can walk run or sunbathe when the weather allows (the First Beach tends to be the busiest, while the Third is the most secluded).
From Rosses Point Pier, you can take a trip to Coney Island or book a boat from Ewing Sea Angling boat charters for a day’s fishing.
4. Dunmoran Strand
Another of the lesser-known beaches in Sligo, Dunmoran Strand is a sheltered beach and it has quite reliable surf, making it popular with wave seekers all year round.
It has been awarded a Green Coast Award in recognition of the beach’s excellent water quality, good management, community involvement and high environmental standards.
More beaches in Sligo you’ll love
Now that we have our favourite Sligo beaches out of the way, it’s time to see what other sandy spots this corner of Ireland has to offer.
Below, you’ll find everything from Mullaghmore and Culleenamore to Enniscrone Beach and much, much more.
1. Culleenamore Beach
A hop, skip and a jump from Strandhill’s main beach, Culleenamore is at the southern end where a wide tidal estuary stretches back to Ballysadare. The beach does not receive any ocean swell, so isn’t used by surfers and is thus (usually) wonderfully peaceful.
The sandbanks are fully exposed at low tides, submerged completely hours later. The added treat of low tide is being able to see one of Ireland’s largest seal colonies as they chill on the central sandbanks.
2. Enniscrone Beach
Enniscrone Beach is a real beauty of a beach with its 5km of fine sand and a dune system filled with flora and fauna. The many sand dunes alongside the beach are known as ‘the Valley of Diamonds’, with some of them fenced off to protect the wildlife.
The Enniscrone Golf Club backs onto the beach and there is parking, toilets and a children’s play area nearby. Part of the beach is patrolled by lifeguards from June to August.
3. Mullaghmore Beach
In North Sligo, Mullaghmore Beach, located right next to the little village of Mullaghmore, is a rural, sandy beach where you can catch views of both Benbulben and Classiebawn Castle.
Mullaghmore has many beautiful seaside bars and cafés, making it a great place to enjoy a nice bite to eat in the summer months. This is your perfect, family friendly beach patrolled by lifeguards in the summer.
5. Trawalua Strand
Be warned – swimming is not allowed at Trawalua Beach due to the powerful rip tide and undercurrent at work here, so keep your feet on dry land.
One of the benefits of this is that it tends to be much quieter than nearby Mullaghmore Beach and Rosses Point, making it perfect for a quiet stroll.
To get parking for Trawalua, stick ‘Cliffoney Beach Parking’ into Google Maps and you’ll find an area to park up for a bit.
FAQs about the best Sligo Beaches
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from the best beaches in Sligo for swimming to which ones are best for surfing.
In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.
What are the most beautiful beaches in Sligo?
I’d argue that the most beautiful Sligo beaches are Streedagh Beach, Strandhill Beach and Enniscrone Beach.
What Sligo beaches are best for swimming on?
Enniscrone and Mullaghmore are two of the best beaches in Sligo for swimming. Remember, always use caution when entering the water.
Are there any good beaches near Sligo Town?
Rosses Point Beach is a 10-minute drive while Strandhill Beach is 15 minutes away.