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

Courtown Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Wexford for good reason.

Located a short spin from Gorey, Courtown is a lovely little spot for a coffee and a ramble (or a dip, if you’re feeling hardy!).

In the guide below, you’ll find info on parking, swimming, where to grab coffee nearby and what to do while you’re there.

Some quick need-to-knows before visiting Courtown Beach

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

1. Location

Courtown Beach located on the edge of Courtown in County Wexford. It’s a 10-minute drive from Gorey, a 20-minute drive from Arklow, a 30-minute drive from Enniscorthy and a 40-minute drive from Wexford Town.

2. Parking

If you’re staying in one of the hotels in Courtown, happy days. If not, you’ll need parking and there’s two different spots to nab a space at Courtown Beach. The first (here on Google Maps) is a stone’s throw from Courtown Woods. The second (here on Google Maps) is down by Courtown South Beach.

3. Swimming

So, there are two beaches in Courtown. The smaller beach, known as Courtown South Beach, is unsuitable for swimming while the larger beach near the woods is a popular spot for a dip. There is a lifeguard service only in the summer months, with an information board at the beach indicating operating times.

4. Toilets

There are toilet facilities open all year round for beach goers in the town (here on Google Maps).

5. 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 Courtown Beach

Courtown Beach is a beacon for tourists and locals alike during the mild summer months, mainly due to its close proximity to both Wicklow and Dublin.

The beach is quite narrow for the most part, but it extends a bit towards the northern end. There has been significant coastal erosion at Courtown Beach over the years, with some parts back from the beach having restricted access for conservation reasons.

One of the more popular things to do in Courtown is to nip into nearby Courtown Woods backing onto the northern end of the beach. There are some walking trails extending into the trees if you want to escape the beach crowd and extend your stroll.

Things to do at Courtown Beach

If you’re looking for a peaceful morning by the coast, you’re in luck – there’s a handful of things to do in and around Courtown Beach to keep you busy.

1. Grab a coffee to go from Shore Coffee Bar

Before you do anything, head for Shore Coffee Bar just back from the beach in town. This cute café has some of the best coffee in the area, as well as other treats and healthy snacks. 

Grab something to go and then make your way down to the beach for a morning ramble.

2. Then head for a saunter along the sand (or a dip, if you fancy!)

The beach has a long stretch of golden sand that’s perfect for a ramble. The northern part of the beach is popular for swimming, so if you’re keen you can always head for a quick dip too.

If you’ve brought along your furry four-legged friend, they’re allowed on the beach outside of summer, as long as you have them on a leash. 

3. Followed by a ramble into Courtown Woods

Back behind the beach on the northern end, you’ll also find some beautiful woods. Courtown Woods are the perfect spot for a picnic or to extend your walk, if you fancy.

There are trails through the trees that offer views of the beach and the sea. It’s this unique combination that makes it one of the more popular walks in Wexford.

Things to do near Courtown Beach

One of the beauties of Courtown Beach is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best things to do in Wexford.

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

1. Seal Rescue Ireland Visitor Centre (3-minute drive)

The wonderful Seal Rescue Ireland is located just back from the beach near Courtown Woods. They rescue and rehabilitate seal pups from around the coastline. It’s completely volunteer-run and operates 7 days a week to help these cute sea animals.They are open to the public for a feeding experience at certain times of the year.

2. Tara Hill (15-minute drive)

Just north of Courtown, you’ll find the isolated Tara Hill which offers some great walks and incredible views of the coast. There are two routes to choose from, colour coded into red and blue loops. The red loop goes around the base of the hill, while the blue loop is the one that takes you up to the top for beautiful views over the surrounding area.

3. Wexford Lavender Farm (20-minute drive)

North of Gorey, Wexford Lavender Farm is a beautiful place to explore when the flowers are in full bloom. The whiff of lavender and sea of purple makes it a lovely place for a walk during the summer months. The farm also has a café in converted old stables, a gift shop and a maze, too!

FAQs about visiting Courtown Beach

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

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.