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Ireland, known for its lush landscapes and rugged coastlines, is also a paradise for swimming enthusiasts. From wild Atlantic waves to tranquil lakes and modern indoor pools with slides and rapids, swimming in Ireland offers something for everyone?no matter the weather. Ireland is also home to some delightful outdoor swimming pools?some natural, some man-made, all with unique charm.
Blue Flag Beaches
If you?re looking for the cleanest, safest, and most sustainable beaches, keep your eyes out for the Blue Flag. Ireland boasts 89 beaches and 10 marinas that have been awarded the Blue Flag in the 2025 season. They are internationally recognized for cleanliness and safety and perfect for combining your swim with a beach picnic or sunset stroll.
Many caravan & camping parks are located within easy reach or with direct access to many of the top beaches in Ireland. Click here for more information on enjoying a beach caravan & camping holiday.
Whether you are visiting the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland?s Ancient East, Ireland?s Hidden Heartlands or Northern Ireland there are some great beaches with miles of golden sands and some hidden gems. Ireland?s coastline stretches to over 6,000km offering some of the most scenic, safe and spectacular beaches in the world. They are the perfect locations to holiday with your family and make great memories.
Sea swimming has become more than a pastime in Ireland.
Top Sea Swimming Spots:
- The Forty Foot (Dublin) ? This iconic swimming spot has been beloved for generations. Easy to access and steeped in history. You may even spot a celebrity!
- Salthill Promenade (Galway) ? Jump off the Blackrock Diving Tower and float with views of Galway Bay. This is an iconic location.
- Ballintoy Harbour off the Causeway Coastal Route in Antrim is a lovely quiet spot but may be recognized by fans of HB)?s Game of Thrones as the Iron Islands. It has amazing clear waters.
- Sea Water pools in Bundoran ? Budoran boasts 2 outdoor sea water swimming pools along its coastline. The Thrupenny Pool measures approximately 48m X 26m and is roughly 5ft deep. The West End Pool is a large sea water pool, situated below an attractive coastal path and there are steps down from one side.
If you?re traveling beyond the coast, Ireland?s lakes and rivers offer peaceful, scenic swims:
Lough Hyne (West Cork) ?Ireland’s first marine nature reserve, is a popular spot for swimming due to its clear, sheltered, and salty waters. It’s a unique sea-water lake connected to the ocean, creating a diverse marine habitat. Swimming and kayaking are very popular on the lake
Lough Derg (Midlands) ? Large and calm, with plenty of access points and picnic spots and has Blue Flag award.
- Mountshannon ? a beautiful spot with calm waters, perfect for children and families.
- Portumna ? ideal for a full day out, with a lovely beach and nearby nature walks.
- Two Mile Gate (near Killaloe) ? a popular spot with fantastic views across the lake
Lough Erne – set in the heart of the Fermanagh Lakeland and peppered with no less than 154 islands, there is plenty of gentle shoreline here where you can take steps into the water. All along the shore there are jetties for boats & fisherman. These jetties provide a protected swimming space and usually have ladders which you can use to access the water.
Outdoor Swimming Pools
Outdoor swimming pools may be rare in Ireland, but they?re worth seeking out. Each one tells a story?of local pride, seaside nostalgia, or summertime simplicity. And while the Atlantic may offer adventure, there?s something joyful about floating in open air, with Irish skies above and countryside all around.
Ireland?s outdoor pools typically open from late May through August, depending on weather and local involvement. Always check local opening times before planning your visit.
Carraig na bhFear outdoor swimming pool located 10 minutes drive from Cork City and Blarney has been in operation for over 60 years. The good news is that it is HEATED! They have also introduced a coffee dock onsite
Charlestown Swimming Pool is an open air heated pool in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon open between the months of June to August. The pool is 22 metres long, shallow end depth is 1.2m, deep end depth is 1.7m so it is suitable for those who want to swim lengths or for kids who want to splash in the shallow end. It is an ideal place for all the family to enjoy!
Just 3km north of Dublin city centre, Clontarf Outdoor Pool is a popular spot for everyone to enjoy. With its stunning beachfront location overlooking Dublin Bay is it is a very popular location. Facilities include a large Olympic-sized swimming area, water activities and sunbathing opportunities on the spacious deck. It is a sea-water pool, so not heated!
Bunclody Outdoor Pool, Wexford is 25 metres long with deep and shallow ends and is heated. There is a heated kiddies pool as well as the 25 metre heated pool where you can practice your strokes or enjoy a leisurely swim.
Drumshanbo Outdoor Swimming Pool in Co. Leitrim is a heated outdoor pool is in the stunning setting of Acres Lake. Alongside the pool is a green area, benches to enjoy a family picnic, 2 tennis courts, and a large playground. The pool is also situated beside Ireland?s first floating boardwalk!
It?s all lovely to go swimming in the sea or in a lake and the sun shining down on you. However, as we all know the sun doesn?t shine in Ireland all the time!!! On these days a great day for all the family is a trip to an indoor pool and splash centre. There are indoor swimming pools dotted all around Ireland. Some are attached to hotels but there are many public pools where you can spend a few hours splashing and swimming. Many of these pools also have plenty of activities in the water including slides, wave machines and water cannons. Here are some of our favourites:
Funtasia Waterpark, Drogheda, Co. Louth – The Pirates Cove interactive Waterpark features over 200 water gushing activities including the adrenalin pumping Super Bowl speed slide and the incredible gravity defying Boomerang slide.
Lahinch Sea World, Co. Clare ? located on the promenade in Lahinch it has a 25m heated swimming pool as well as a kiddies pool with dolphin slide and an ?eliminator? inflatable obstacle course.
Splashworld, Tramore, Co. Waterford ? enjoying balmy temperatures Splashworld pool has Wild & Wonderful Wave Machine, Indoor / Outdoor Water Slides, Bubble Pool, Paddle Pool, Water Cannons, Roaring Rapids, Splash Slides and many other onsite activities
Waterworld, Bundoran, Co. Donegal ? located on the seafront in Bundoran, it has the fastest slide in Ireland ? The Whizzer (9.2 degree drop) as well as the Tornado Slide and the Twister Slide. It has a wave pool which has beach entry water features with 5 different wave patterns and 2 speed rapids.
Aquadome, Tralee, Co. Kerry – packed with loads of activities for all the family to enjoy. Wave pools, lazy river, raging rapids, fly the flume, whizz down the slides with bubbles, sprays, cannons and geysers! There is also a children?s pool
Finally, there are a couple of caravan & camping parks in Ireland that have their own swimming pools onsite or waterbased activities as part of their facilities.
Bayview Caravan & Camping Park, Dungaravan, Co. Waterford ? for concessionary rate you can use the leisure centre with heated swimming pool and gym.
Ferrybank Caravan & Camping Park, Wexford town ? for concessionary rate you can use their 25m swimming pool as well at their sauna, steamroom and modern gym.
Hidden Valley Resort, Wicklow ? new Aqua Park with over 30 obstacles and 1,800 square metres to conquer. The runways and obstacles of the course are all inflatable and unstable and there are slides, so be prepared to get wet!
When you have spent a busy day out & about you can return to your caravan, motorhome or tent and enjoy a good night sleep in one of the many caravan & camping sites throughout Ireland. Many of the sites are located with direct access to a beach or access to their own swimming pool or waterpark. Most are only a short drive away from water activities.
Camping Ireland has so much information to help you plan your caravan & camping trip away. The website is very user-friendly and has a number of great features which makes it very easy to navigate. You can now add filters to your selection process. This will allow you to get information on parks that are specific to your needs.
You can filter for sites as follows:
Camping type ? camping, glamping, mobile home hire, etc.
Holiday type ? beach holiday, countryside, family-friendly, dog friendly, etc.
Facilities ? beach nearby, playground, games room, shop, etc.
County
Region ? Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland?s Ancient East, Ireland?s Hidden Heartlands, Dublin or Northern Ireland
Also, many sites offer online booking which will help you secure your pitch at the click of a button.
Whatever you want Camping Ireland has something to suit everyone. Enjoy the independence and flexibility that camping in Ireland can offer in quality approved sites. We look forward to welcoming you to Ireland?s outdoor living
