Located in Tramore Bay, near Tramore town, County Waterford, on the southeast coast of Ireland. A 5km long sandy beach flanked by Brownstown Head to the east and Newtown Head to the west.
Beach Gallery
Location
Access Information
Large public car park along the beach/Promenade with ample spots, but can get very busy in summer. Wheelchair accessible. Pay parking system mentioned.
Beach Details
Activities
- Swimming
- Walking
- Surfing (popular
- good for beginners)
- Kitesurfing
- Windsurfing
- Sailing
- Sea Kayaking
- Fishing
- Amusement Park activities
- Sea glass hunting
- Bird watching (in dunes/back strand)
Facilities
- Lifeguards (seasonal)
- Public Toilets (wheelchair accessible)
- Bins
- Seating Areas
- Surf Schools (e.g.
- Tramore Surf School
- Freedom Surf School
- T-Bay Surf Club
- Oceanics)
- Showers (available at least at Tramore Surf School)
- Amusement Park
- Parking (paid)
- Cafes/Pubs/Restaurants (nearby in town)
Environment
Bay, Town, large Sand Dunes (eastern end), Amusement Park nearby, Tidal Lagoon (Back Strand) behind dunes.
Conservation Status
Tramore Dunes and Backstrand SAC (000671), Tramore Back Strand SPA (004027). These designations cover the dunes and back strand area.
Views
Tramore Bay, Brownstown Head, Newtown Head, Metal Man monument, Sandhills (dunes).
Wildlife
Notable wildlife associated with dunes/back strand (SAC/SPA designation). T-Bay Surf Club has an associated Wildlife Centre. Species seen include oystercatcher, wheatear, redshank, black-tailed godwit, curlew, common tern, ringed plover, little egret, heron.
Cultural & Historical Significance
Name means 'Big Strand'. Surfing introduced 1967 by Kevin Cavey. T-Bay Surf Club (est. 1967) is Ireland's oldest. Metal Man monument (1816 maritime beacon). Original settlement in 'Rabbit Burrows'. Seahorse symbol connection (shipping tragedy, Waterford Crystal logo 1955).
Beach Tags
Reviews
Reviews Summary
Generally positive reviews highlight the long, walkable sandy beach, suitability for families, ample parking (though can get busy), and the adjacent amusement park. It's noted as great for watersports (surfing), walking, and bird watching in the extensive dunes. Some reviewers mention the town itself is average or that the beach can be pebbly/stony in parts. Sea glass hunting is also mentioned.
This is a lovely seaside town with an amusement park, icecream shops and a game parlour. Lovely walk from surrounding hotels to the beach. Gorgeous pictures to be taken. Don't miss it if you are near.
Lovely beach to visit to watch world go by or take family for day. Went in for paddle and sea was lovely even though long way out at low tide and pebbles okay. Parking wasn't too bad either
Very nice beach with adequate parking. Appeared to had a variety of dining places, but we just walked on the beach. Beach was very walkable and turned out to be a very nice beach to find sea glass.
The best family beach in Ireland. Clean strand, loads of food choice. Great for wstersports. Highly recommended for young families.
Beautiful sunny day with clear skies.Breakfast at Tom’s cafe. Delicious nutritious and served with a warm smile.Scenic beach and great walking spaces. Returned via coastal route to Dunmore East then Waterford. A half day well spent 😎
Tramore Beach is a fabulous stretch of sand. The town itself seemed so-so and has the facilities and shops you would expect (plus a remarkably grand looking hotel although we just drove past). I'm guessing the town would have just about enough to occupy a rainy half day, but the attraction is the beach and the two main features associated with it. One of these, yes I'll admit, we steered well clear of. The world of amusement arcades, candy floss, and funfair undoubtedly has its many fans, and those who like such things would clearly have a good variety to enjoy - not some one-trick pony. This looked very well provided, well maintained and was clearly very popular. What it did provide for us was a massive car park and very convenient toilets, for which thank you - these would not have been there just for what we came to see and experience. Having parked up, we headed away from the glitz and along the beach, and eventually reached sand dunes that got higher and higher and wider and wider. This was the realm of nature lovers, dog walkers, or funfair lovers out for a change of scene ... and birds. We saw oystercatcher, wheatear, redshank, black-tailed godwit, curlew, common tern, ringed plover, little egret, heron ... We had read beforehand that the typical walk was all the way to the end on the beach side then circling around the other side of the dunes to return on the 'back strand' side. It's a good 90 minutes, longer if you stop to enjoy, and longer still if you head into the dunes rather than skirting round them. Whichever way you go, you will periodically encounter that soft sand that slows you down and sucks the energy from you, but that's part of the experience. A few days later we were at Kilmore Quay where there is a similar stretch of dunes, although we didn't have time to explore as far. My impression is that Tramore's dunes are higher but the ones at Kilmore Quay might go further. If ever we're back that way, we'll explore them more thoroughly next time.
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