Located within Derrynane National Historic Park, near Caherdaniel village (approx. 3.5km west) on the Iveragh Peninsula section of the Ring of Kerry, in Derrynane Bay.
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Location
Access Information
Narrow, bendy road requiring caution. Free car park available next to the beach with a height-restriction barrier.
Beach Details
Activities
- Swimming (in designated areas)
- Walking
- Sunbathing
- Exploring rock pools
- Visiting Abbey Island ruins (low tide)
- Visiting Derrynane House
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Windsurfing
- Snorkeling
- Diving
- Body-boarding
- Water-skiing
- Wake-boarding
- Photography
- Bird watching
- Ecological tours (available locally)
Facilities
- Public Toilets (near car park)
- Parking (free
- height-restricted)
- Lifeguards (seasonal)
- Bins
- Derrynane Sea Sports (watersports hire & tuition)
- Cafe/Restaurant (at nearby Derrynane House)
Environment
Sheltered bay with dunes, rock pools, and coastal parkland. Abbey Island (accessible at low tide) is nearby.
Conservation Status
Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Kenmare River Special Area of Conservation (SAC 002158), Derrynane National Historic Park.
Views
Derrynane Bay, Abbey Island, Scariff Island, Deenish Island, surrounding dunes and mountains.
Wildlife
Sea birds, crabs, mussels, natterjack toads (in dunes). Potential for other marine life sightings (guided tours available).
Cultural & Historical Significance
Located within Derrynane National Historic Park. Adjacent to Derrynane House (ancestral home of Daniel O'Connell). Abbey Island contains ruins of Derrynane Abbey (St. Fionan's Abbey, 6th century) and a graveyard including the tomb of Mary O'Connell.
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Reviews
Reviews Summary
Overwhelmingly positive, frequently described as stunning, beautiful, perfect, and one of the best beaches in Ireland/the world. Visitors praise the scenery, sand, clear water, historical elements (Abbey Island, Derrynane House), and suitability for walking and families. Some caution about the narrow access road and potential currents in certain areas. Lack of on-beach cafe facilities is noted, but toilets and lifeguards (seasonal) are available.
Fantastic beach split in two by rocks just beside Derrynane House, Long walk possible and plenty of opportunity for photos. Visit to Derrynane House and tearooms an option also. Badly in need of a signpost after turning off main rd. as doubts will set in that you are on correct road but persevere...its worth it!
Stunning gem of a blue flag beach even on a grey cool 'Irish summer' day that will take your breath away. Staffed by lifeguards during the summer months. GO SLOW on the twisty ferny narrow road down to the beach as it is one car width mostly with few pull in spaces to deal with oncoming cars. We didn't explore the OPW heritage site of Derrynane house as the beach was calling us on our first time to this area. Our children both aged under the age of 5 thoroughly enjoyed their dip and paddle and digging in the sand. Lots to explore at this beach: Rockpools and the ruins of an Abbey and graveyard. Carpark with wheelchair parking but not really wheelchair accessible from what I could see unless I missed a trick. Bins: check. Public toilets: 2 toilets in the ladies which were checked whilst I was there. Worth the long drive to get here and bonus if the sun greets you whilst here. We will return one day and hopefully the sun smiles on us that day here.
I’ve been coming here for over fifty years. I never tire of it. It is in my opinion one of the most stunning places in Ireland. I have stayed here for weeks at a time and surfed and fished and gone out the islands of Scarriff and Deenish and of course the Skelligs. Both the Derrynane and Lambs Head side of the bay are amazing. On the Derrynane side it is more organised and there is good parking and Derrynane house and Abbey Island and Derrynane Harbour. On the Lambs Head side it’s wilder, more difficult to park but has astounding views. Frankly It’s all amazing and if you stop at just one beach in Kerry make it this one. There’s something so utterly perfect about this beach. It’s not the biggest beach but it’s just lovely. Though do be careful as some segments can be a bit tricky at the Derrynane end but if you are aware you won’t get in trouble ..Go !! Enjoy and don’t hurry away! It’s a captivating place
Really stunning beach, worth the drive. Lifeguards patrolling and helpful. The old ruins/cemetery is a nice walk too. Not much in the way of services like food/drink so pack your own.
We stopped here for about an hour during our Ring of Kerry drive and it was really beautiful and not crowded. My son enjoyed running around (water is extremely cold, though calm enough for kids to swim/wade) and my parents enjoyed a stroll over to the cemetery. Gorgeous sand, rocks, and sea birds. The day we visited, there was a beached minke whale. Toilets just up a short trail from the free car park, which had lots of space. Derrynane House just nearby. Definitely worth the stop along the Ring of Kerry- especially with kids.
Gorgeous views in all directions and a beautiful samdy beach with a nature reserve behind. Stop off for an hour or so on your ring of Kerry visit and you won’t regret it! No cafe but there is a toilet and lifeguard near the free car park.
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