About Brittas Bay

Brittas Bay is the jewel of the Wicklow coast — a five-kilometre sweep of pale sand and rolling dunes about 12 km south of Wicklow town, so reminiscent of a wider ocean that it's long been a favourite escape for Dubliners.

The dune system is a Special Area of Conservation, and the beach carries a Blue Flag; on a fine summer weekend it's busy and brilliant, yet its sheer length always leaves room to find a quiet stretch.

Swimming & safety

Brittas Bay is a Blue Flag beach for 2026 — certified water quality, good facilities and lifeguard cover through the bathing season. Lifeguards patrol through the summer (Wicklow County Council): weekends in June, then daily in July and August. Swim within the flagged area when they're on duty, and mind the tide, currents and any offshore wind.

Tides & conditions

The beach changes through the day with the tide, and swimming can shift from easy to lively as the wind and swell get up. Check the live tide, wind and sea-temperature page for Brittas Bay before you travel — you can scrub forward to any date to plan a swim.

Getting there & facilities

There are two main car park areas (a small charge in season) to handle the crowds, so arrive early on hot days. Facilities are seasonal — toilets by the car parks — and the dunes are fragile, so keep to the marked paths. There's no village at the beach itself, so bring supplies.

Nearby

From Brittas Bay, Wicklow town, the Wicklow Mountains and the beaches at Silver Strand and Jack's Hole are close by.

Reviews

See what other swimmers and visitors say — read reviews of Brittas Bay on Google Maps →

Frequently asked questions

← Live swim conditions for Brittas Bay