A Guide to Seapoint Beach in Dublin

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The Seapoint Beach is at the southern shores of Dublin Bay, close to Dun Laoghaire. Locals love to go there for their daily dip. If you visit the beach, it is best to swim during high tide. At the north end of the beach, you can see the historical Martello Tower. We will explain everything you need to know about Seapoint beach before you go there!

Where is Seapoint beach & how do I get there?

Seapoint beach is located between Blackrock and Monkstown on the shores of Dublin Bay, Ireland. It is also only 4 km away from another popular and famous bathing spot, Forty Foot.

You can easily walk to the beach from Dun Laoghaire in 20 minutes. If you want to use public transportation, you can take the DART from Dublin city centre or the closest station to you. 

You can get out at the dart station “Salthill and Monkstown”, which is about a 10-minute walk to Seapoint beach.

By car, it takes about half an hour from Dublin to Seapoint and you can park right next to the Dart station “Salthill and Monkstown”. However, the parking is not free of charge.

Swimming at Seapoint Beach

You can swim at Seapoint beach all year round, as the locals love to do! It is safe to swim there because there is a lifeguard during the bathing season. 

The sea is accessible for swimmers at high tide and low tide. During low tide, it is just more shallow, and you should be more careful. 

The beach is open all year long, but you should always ensure your safety and never go alone, especially when there is no lifeguard.

The beach has a mix of sand and large rocks, at the south end the water is more shallow and there are hidden rocks, so you should be careful when swimming there. There are a few slipways and steps with hand rails that lead into the sea for easy access for everyone during high tide. 

There are also bathrooms on the beach, where you could change into your bathing suit.

Seapoint beach is also popular for several activities such as open water swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddling.

You should be careful of large waves that can be caused by car ferries. If you see these larger waves, you shouldn’t go swimming, it takes about half an hour until the waves are less dangerous.

The water quality is usually excellent, but recently there have been a few no-swim notices for the Seapoint beach due to water pollution. The water is tested regularly so that you can always go swimming there unless there is a warning not to. 

You can find warnings online under the latest news, or you can check the noticeboard located at Seapoint.

Seapoint Martello Tower

The Martello Tower is also on the east coast, just at the north end of Seapoint beach in Dublin, Ireland. It was built in the early nineteenth century to defend Dublin from the Napoleonic invasion and is one of 28 towers. 

Nowadays, it’s a protected structure and the headquarters of the Genealogical Society of Ireland.

Blue flag award

The Blue flag is a recognized environmental award, which is given to beaches that have high standards in the following categories: water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and safety. 

The Foundation for Environmental Education wants to achieve sustainable development in freshwater and marine areas. 

About 49 countries are participating and the Blue Flag is awarded every year. The beach Seapoint was awarded the Blue Flag in 2021 for several years in a row.

Seapoint beach is also a special protection area (SPA) for birdlife that can be seen on the mudflats.

Swim Camp Open Water Lessons at Seapoint, Dublin

If you are looking for open water swimming classes for you or your child, you can book sessions at SwimCamp! No matter if you are a beginner or an intermediate swimmer, we offer classes for every skill level. Perfect for kids that love swimming in the pool and are curious about open water swimming! We help your kid to get used to the sea and improve their swimming techniques.

Also, more advanced adult swimmers can take part in our distance & endurance classes, where we help them to prepare for their next competition! 

Questions & Answers: Seapoint Beach Dublin

The open water swimming season at Seapoint beach in Dublin runs from the beginning of May until the end of September. The beach is fairly wide and there is plenty of space to sunbathe, paddle in the shallows or go for a swim.
It is possible to swim in the sea at both high tide and low tide. You should be more careful when the tide is low because it’s less deep.
In the event of pollution in Seapoint, the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will implemented short-term closures for visitors and warn when the water quality will worsen as a result of recent heavy rains.
Yes, it is safe to swim in Seapoint. The water quality is monitored regularly and meets all safety standards. However, there are some things to keep in mind when swimming in any open water. First, always swim with a buddy. Second, be aware of your surroundings and know your limitations. Third, use common sense and be safe!
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