Beaches in West Cork

Beaches and holidays go pretty much hand-in-hand. When you feel the sand between your toes, the sea breeze tugging at your hair and the sound of the ocean enveloping, somehow the stress and strife of the everyday evaporates.

But there are beaches… and then there are beaches!

Some of Ireland’s best beaches are beaches in West Cork that are popular with surfers, swimmers, wind-surfers and walkers and you’ll find several of them just a stone’s throw away from your base at the Celtic Ross Hotel. 

Here are a few of our suggestions for beaches to visit during your stay but if you wish to explore West Cork further you have two more Blue Flag beaches in Barleycove and Tragumna.

Warren Beach (6 mins - 2.3km)

A very safe sheltered beach to sunbathe and swim, suitable for families. Only 1km from Rosscarbery Causeway and the Celtic Ross Hotel is a fine Rosscarbery beach.

Owenahincha Beach (4 mins - 3km)

A short distance from Rosscarbery, this Blue Flag beach is a long sandy beach. As it is exposed it can get very windy and is a popular spot for surfing. Owenahincha beach is much more open than Warren Beach and provides spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.

Long Strand (6 mins - 4km)

Looking out over Galley Head this beach is great to stretch the legs and breathe in the Atlantic air. Not suitable for swimming, a surfer’s haven. Perfect for a long walk to take in the fresh air and sunshine

Red Strand (14 mins - 10km)

Not far from Long Strand this beach is dotted with rock pools. It is a much more quaint and peaceful option than one of its more popular counterparts

Inchydoney Beach (19 mins - 16km)

Blue Flag Beach. Outside of Clonakilty this vast beach is great for surfing. Inchydoney Surf School do lessons and provide all the kit necessary to ride those waves! For more details click here. The openness of the beach provides immense views of the ocean and surrounding countryside. This is unsurprisingly one of the top beaches in West Cork and even Ireland for tourists.

To see which beaches in West Cork near Celtic Ross Hotel are lifeguarded click here and keep an eye out for beach notice boards for more information.