Castlegregory Beach: Parking, Views + Swimming Info

In a county filled with spectacular beaches, it can be difficult to stand out among the crowd.

However, Castlegregory Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Kerry, boasting soft sands and a haven for water sports.

Below, you’ll find info on everything from swimming and parking to what to see while you’re there.

Some quick need-to-knows about Castlegregory Beach

Before you hit the sand, let’s go over the basics, as they’ll save you time and hassle in the long-run:

1. Location

Castlegregory Beach enjoys an idyllic location on the north coast of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. Castlegregory sits halfway between the Kerry towns of Tralee and Dingle, around half an hour from both. 

2. Parking

The Castlegregory Beach car park is just outside of the centre of town, near the end of Strand Street (here on Google Maps). There are several beaches in Castlegregory; Stradbally Beach (located here), Kilcummin Bay (located here), Ballinknockane Beach (located here), Béal Geal and, of course, Castlegregory Beach (located here).

3. Swimming

So, we can’t find any official info from Kerry County Council to say it’s safe to swim here (we’d advise checking locally before entering the water). However, nearby Maherabeg Beach is a Blue Flag Beach and has lifeguards on duty during the summer season. 

4. Views galore

Strolling along Castlegregory Beach allows you to take in some spectacular views at every turn. As the bay arches round, you can see back over the mainland, taking in rugged hills as well as the yellow sands of the beach as it sprawls out behind you. A landscape of sand dunes provides an incredible backdrop, while the bright blue sea twinkles up ahead.

5. Safety

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

About Castlegregory Beach

Castlegregory Beach stretches for around 4 – 5 km along the north edge of the Dingle Peninsula.

The area is frequently called ‘the Gold Coast’ of the Dingle Peninsula and as the name suggests, it boasts soft, golden sands and stunning blue seas.

The Maharees Peninsula juts up to the north, providing great views of Brandon Bay and Mount Brandon.

A Green Coast Beach

Castlegregory Beach was awarded the Green Coast title in 2019. Similar to Blue Flag status, the award recognises beaches that boast excellent water quality and maintain stunning natural beauty.

However, they tend to be less developed, with fewer facilities such as lifeguard services and showers.

Beach walks

With 4 – 5km of gorgeous sandy beach to explore, Castlegregory Beach is one of the best places for a long coastal amble in this part of Kerry.

Along the way, you’ll come across various different beaches, sand dunes, loughs, villages, and much more.

A hotbed for water sports

The area is a haven for various watersports and you’ll find plenty of places to rent a surfboard and wetsuit, like SplashSports.

You can also find lessons and enjoy other activities such as windsurfing, kayaking, and sea fishing.

Things to do see near Castlegregory Beach

One of the beauties of the beach here is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Dingle.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Castlegregory (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).

1. Glanteenassig Forest Park (20-minute drive)

Looking for a change of scenery? Glanteenassig Forest Park is tucked among the Slieve Mish Mountains and offers a world of ancient woodlands, loughs, and stunning views of the surrounding hills. Visitors will need to leave the beaten track to unearth all of its treasures.

2. Conor Pass (20-minute drive)

If you fancy a scenic drive, hit the road to Dingle via Conor Pass. Offering dramatic views, it’s one of the highest mountain passes in Ireland, hitting a height of 456 metres. There are surprises around every corner and along the way you can expect to see waterfalls, mountain peaks, corrie lakes, and sheer cliff faces. 

3. Glorious coastline (20-minute-plus drive)

An easy way to get a good eyeful of the scenery nearby is on the brilliant Slea Head Drive. Over the course of the spin you’ll see Dun Chaoin Pier, Gallarus Oratory, Coumeenoole Beach and much more.

4. Blennerville Windmill (25-minute drive)

Blennerville Windmill is the largest windmill in Ireland. Built in 1800, it was recently restored to its former glory and open to the public. The windmill looks great from the outside, but it’s well worth dropping in to get a fun guided tour and check out the visitor centre.

FAQs about the beaches in Castlegregory

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘How many beaches are in the area?’ to ‘Where is there parking?’.

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.