Located approx 3.2km (7-min drive) from Roundstone village in Connemara, Co Galway, on the road to Clifden. Lies back-to-back with Gurteen Beach, forming a tombolo jutting into the Atlantic Ocean. Roads in the area are narrow.
Beach Gallery
Location
Access Information
Accessible by car via narrow Connemara roads; caution advised. Single lane access to car park.
Beach Details
Activities
- Swimming (caution advised
- no lifeguards)
- Walking
- Windsurfing
- Kitesurfing
- Picnicking
Facilities
- No toilets
- showers
- or lifeguards directly on Dog's Bay Beach. Basic facilities (toilets
- shower
- small store) available at the nearby Gurteen Bay Caravan and Camping Park.
Environment
Tombolo separating it from Gurteen Bay, Sand dunes with Marram Grass (conservation efforts ongoing since 1991), Machair grasslands (rare vegetation type).
Conservation Status
Area of international ecological, geological, and archaeological importance. Rare Machair habitat. No specific SAC/SPA/NHA code found in searches, but local conservation projects exist.
Views
Atlantic Ocean, Gurteen Bay. Nearby views include Derrigimlagh Bog, Diamond Hill.
Wildlife
Foraminifera (sand composition), various seabirds, marine life in clear waters. Cows often seen in adjacent fields.
Cultural & Historical Significance
Contains archaeological features. Nearby Alcock and Brown landing site memorial.
Beach Tags
Reviews
Reviews Summary
Generally very positive reviews praising the beach's beauty, white sand, clear/turquoise water, and scenery. Often described as stunning, tranquil, and one of Ireland's best. Some reviewers note issues with seaweed or rubbish at certain times, and many highlight the limited parking and narrow access road, especially during peak season. Water clarity and sand colour perception can vary depending on conditions.
beautiful beach with few visitors - it was Feb ... but its unspoilt and tranquil .. we strolled along and met a few canine friends who were splashing in the small waves coming up ... sand was easy to walk on and you can park with 50 metres ..
The beach was nice. It was clean and easily accessible by car. However, at 4pm on a December afternoon, the water wasn't crystal clear as promised. I feel like the saturation has been boosted on a lot of the photos.
While I have to say the shape and location of this beach are great. We were blessed with fine weather in October. We drove over an hour from Salthill to see it. There was huge amaoundlts of seaweed and some rubbish and the water certainly ly wasn't the blues I saw in pics or the sand auper white. More a grayish. Still a lovely beach for Ireland but if the seaweed was cleaned would be amazing. Not sure I'd drive so far to see it again.
Another beautiful beach near Clifden . A lovely strand to walk along , crystal clear water and fabulous scenery . Would be a great place to have a picnic in the warmer weather .
The most stunning beach! Best beach I've been to in Ireland! Exceptional! Beautiful white sands and blue/green sea... Can't wait to go again!
Beautiful white sandy beach with turquoise sea. We'll worth a visit although parking can be limited on busy days. Single lane down to car park
Leave a Review
Related Beaches
Whiterocks Beach
Tramore Beach
Leave a Reply