Cahore Beach Wexford: Things To Do, Swimming + Handy Info

Cahore Beach is, in my opinion, one of the most over-looked beaches in Wexford by visiting tourists.

Lying at the northernmost end of one of the longest beaches in Ireland, Cahore Beach is an idyllic sandy spot on the County Wexford coast.

Set amongst a surrounding landscape dotted with intriguing nearby attractions, it’s a beaut of a spot place that doesn’t get the attention it deserves (although its seclusion is definitely a plus point!).

Below, you’ll find info on parking, swimming, where to grab a coffee with a view and more. Dive on in!

Some quick need-to-knows about Cahore Beach

Although a visit to Cahore Beach is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

You’ll find Cahore Beach immediately south of Cahore Point, where it merges on its south side with Old Bawn Beach. The nearest town is Gorey which is a 20-minute drive away, while if you’re coming up from Wexford Town it’ll be closer to 40 minutes.

2. Parking

So, there are several places to park nearby. Personally, I’d recommend parking at nearby Old Bawn Beach (here on Google Maps) which merges into Cahore Beach. You can also park down at Cahore Pier (here on Google Maps) and take the cliff walk down to the sand.

3. Swimming

Cahore Beach is a fine spot if you want to go for a swim, although it should be noted that there doesn’t appear to be lifeguards on hand. It’s also a Green Coast awarded beach, meaning it’s commended for the quality of its water (definitely a good sign!).

4. Water safety (please read)

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

About Cahore Beach

Standing on the strand and looking southwards, Cahore Beach just disappears off into the distance and continues for miles. It’s a pretty unique sight and one of the few places in Ireland where it’s possible to see a view like that!

But the curiosities don’t stop there. Residing just behind the beach is a very large system of sand dunes, some rising up to 60-feet high, all backed by extensive areas of wetland, lagoonal drainage areas, and polder grasslands. 

To get a closer look at these natural sights, we’d definitely recommend taking on the superb Cahore Cliff Walk!

Things to do at Cahore Beach

There’s a handful of things to do around Cahore Beach that make it a lovely spot for a morning or afternoon out.

1. Grab a coffee to-go from The Strand

Conveniently placed just north of Cahore Beach across from Cahore Pier, The Strand is the perfect spot to grab a coffee for a breezy stroll over the dunes or on the sand itself. 

But if you’re not in the mood for a caffeine kick then you’re in luck, as The Strand offers a bunch of other tasty delights to enjoy along with beautiful coastal views. 

As well as teas and desserts, they also do a fine line in cold beers and offer 14 different expertly wood-fired pizzas! On a sunny day, there are few better spots in Wexford than sitting back with a pint outside The Strand and taking in the vistas.

2. Then take the coastal walk to the beach

There’s only one way to then head over to the beach, and that’s via the lovely cliffs that form the coastline between the pier and the long sandy shore. 

The cliffs themselves aren’t particularly tall or dramatic, but they are a gorgeous part of the landscape and their grassy surface gently curves away into the rocks below and onto the sand. On a clear day, you might be able to see all the way up to Wicklow Head to the north. 

These cliffs also form part of the Cahore Cliff Walk, which takes you all the way down to Old Bawn Beach then around the village and back to the pier.

3. Then head for a stroll on the sand or a paddle

But if you’re not in the mood for a long walk, then that’s no bother either! Simply head down onto the pristine sands of Cahore Beach and take in the breeze and the views. It’s not too far before it merges with Old Bawn Beach, but we wouldn’t blame you if you just stayed at Cahore’s scenic climes.

And as the proud owner of a Green Coast Award, the quality of the water should be perfect should you want to go for a paddle or, dare I say it, a swim. 

Places to visit near Cahore Beach

One of the beauties of Cahore Beach is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Wexford.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Cahore.

1. Old Bawn Beach (10-minute walk)

Next door to Cahore Beach, Old Bawn Beach also has some lovely sand dunes that provide excellent shelter from any winds heading from the west. Just a 10-minute walk from Cahore, it’s also part of the Cahore Cliff Walk which takes you into the scenic country lanes just behind the dunes and winds its way back up the pier (and the chance for a pint at The Strand!).

2. Morriscastle Beach (20-minute drive)

Part of the Wexford coast’s Golden Mile, Morriscastle Beach is a gorgeous clean family-friendly beach that’s perfect for swimming and rambling alike! Awarded Blue Flag beach status in 2008, this stretch of beautiful sands is located in the heart of the Golden Miles and is just a further 20-minute drive south from Cahore Beach. 

3. Wells House & Gardens (20-minute drive)

Voted Ireland’s #1 family day out by the Irish Hospitality Awards, Wells House and Gardens is a Victorian Tudor-Gothic country house museum, located around 7 km outside of Kilmuckridge and a 20-minute drive from Cahore Beach. Dating back to the 1830s, you’ll find a ton of things to do here, including a tour of the house, an animal farm and woodland walks.

FAQs about visiting Cahore Beach in Wexford

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘How long is it?’ to ‘Where to park nearby?’.

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.