Curracloe, Co. Wexford — Swimming, Tides, Access & Sea Temperature Guide | Wild Beauty
Curracloe
Curracloe — blue flag film-famous strand in Co. Wexford.
About Curracloe
Curracloe is a glorious 11-kilometre arc of soft white sand and dune just 15 minutes from Wexford town — and a genuine movie star. Its sands doubled for Omaha Beach in Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan and appear again in Brooklyn, and once you see them you'll understand why.
Backed by the Raven Nature Reserve and its pine forest, it's a Blue Flag beach that's superb for swimming, walking, surfing and birdwatching.
Swimming & safety
Curracloe is a Blue Flag beach for 2026 — certified water quality, good facilities and lifeguard cover through the bathing season. Lifeguards patrol through the summer (Wexford 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 Curracloe before you travel — you can scrub forward to any date to plan a swim.
Getting there & facilities
There's a large free car park with around 500 spaces, plus toilets at White Gap and Ballinesker, a surf shack and a beach café in season, and beach wheelchairs from the lifeguard station. Arrive early on summer weekends when the crowds arrive from far and wide.
Nearby
From Curracloe, the Raven Nature Reserve, Wexford town and the Irish National Heritage Park are close by.
Reviews
See what other swimmers and visitors say — read reviews of Curracloe on Google Maps →
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to swim at Curracloe?
It depends on the tide, wind and swell. Check the live tide, wind and sea-temperature page for Curracloe and pick a calm window around the right state of tide.
Is Curracloe a Blue Flag beach?
Yes — Curracloe holds a Blue Flag for the 2026 bathing season, with lifeguard cover through the summer.
Is Curracloe lifeguarded?
Curracloe has lifeguards through the summer season — see the safety notes above.
What is the sea temperature at Curracloe today?
The current sea temperature and its 24-hour trend are shown live on the conditions page for Curracloe.