Situated at the eastern tip of Inishowen, Stroove Beach is one of the peninsula’s highlights.
Few beaches in Donegal boast a setting like Stroove, and that’s thanks to the historic lighthouse that acts as a backdrop.
Awarded a Blue Flag in 2024, the water quality and the services here are excellent.
Some quick need-to-knows about Stroove Beach
Although a visit to Stroove Lighthouse and its beach is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
1. Location
Stroove Beach is located on the far eastern tip of the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal. It’s a 10-minute drive from Greencastle, a 45-minute drive from both Derry and Buncrana.
2. Parking
There’s a car park right next to the beach (here on Google Maps), but it does get busy in the summer. The beach is a short walk away across a couple of dunes.
3. Swimming
Stroove is a Blue Flag beach which means it’s recognised for its water quality and facilities. It’s a popular spot for swimming and Lifeguards are on duty during the summer. Understanding water safety is absolutely crucial when visiting beaches in Ireland. Please take a minute to read these water safety tips.
About Stroove Beach
Known locally as Big White Bay, Stroove Beach, is a small sheltered beach overlooked by the Inishowen Head lighthouse.
Now, you won’t get much of a walk on the beach itself, as it measures just 220m, but there’s plenty to see/do in the area.
Inishowen Lighthouse
Inishowen Lighthouse has been around for almost 200 years and it’s an interesting sight to see up close.
Though now automated, the Attendant lives in the house nearest to the lighthouse and the other two dwellings have been converted into staff holiday houses.
The lighthouse itself dates back to 1837 and was originally used as harbour lights to guide vessels into Lough Foyle and to lead them clear of the Tuns Bank. However, it’s been automated since August 1979.
The Inishowen Loop
The Inishowen Head Loop can be started from the car park at Stroove Beach.
This is an 8.3km trail that takes 2-3 hours to complete, depending on pace.
It follows a looped route through some of Donegal’s most beautiful coastal scenery.
Look out for the black plastic markers with blue symbols and National Waymarked Trails arrows and follow the route in a clockwise direction.
Places to visit nearby
One of the beauties of Stroove Lighthouse and beach is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Donegal.
Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Stroove Beach:
- Magilligan Point View (15-minute drive): From Magilligan Point View you’ll have stunning vistas of County Derry (you can take the Lough Foyle Ferry across the water)
- Kinnagoe Bay (15-minute drive): One of the most beautiful of all the beaches in Donegal
- Greencastle (7-minute drive): Grab some fish and chips from Kealy’s Seafood Bar and then check out the Inishowen Maritime Museum
- Malin Head (45-minute drive): The most northerly point of mainland Ireland and the start/finish of the Wild Atlantic Way