Fountainstown, Co. Cork — Swimming, Tides, Access & Sea Temperature Guide | Wild Beauty
Fountainstown
Fountainstown — cork city's nearest beach in Co. Cork.
About Fountainstown
Fountainstown is the closest sandy beach to Cork city — barely half an hour from the centre — which makes it the go-to spot for a quick city swim on a warm evening.
A curve of sand and shingle near Crosshaven, it's a friendly, unfussy family beach in the sheltered waters near the mouth of Cork Harbour.
Swimming & safety
Fountainstown has lifeguards through the summer and is a monitored bathing water. It shelves gently; as ever, check the bathing-water status after heavy rain given its position near the harbour.
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 Fountainstown before you travel — you can scrub forward to any date to plan a swim.
Getting there & facilities
There's a car park behind the beach; facilities are modest, so bring what you need. The sailing village of Crosshaven, with its cafés and the Royal Cork Yacht Club, is just around the headland.
Nearby
From Fountainstown, Crosshaven, Camden and Templebreedy, and Cork Harbour are close by.
Reviews
See what other swimmers and visitors say — read reviews of Fountainstown on Google Maps →
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to swim at Fountainstown?
It depends on the tide, wind and swell. Check the live tide, wind and sea-temperature page for Fountainstown and pick a calm window around the right state of tide.
Is Fountainstown a Blue Flag beach?
Not currently — check the latest award and lifeguard status locally. It can still be a fine place for a swim.
Is Fountainstown lifeguarded?
Fountainstown has lifeguards through the summer — see the safety notes above.
What is the sea temperature at Fountainstown today?
The current sea temperature and its 24-hour trend are shown live on the conditions page for Fountainstown.