Clare offers an extensive coastline with a choice of quality beaches, many meeting the Blue Flag standard. The miles of beaches available are great for swimming, exploring rock pools and all sorts of beach fun.

There are plenty of water activities to be enjoyed, from sub-aqua, sailing, diving, water skiing, rowing, canoeing, land yachting and surfing.

Clare’s coastal Blue Flag beaches include Cappa Pier Kilrush, Fanore, Kilkee, Lahinch, Spanish Point, White Strand Doonbeg, and White Strand Miltown Malbay. Clare also has two inland blue-flag beaches on the shores of Lough Derg at Mountshannon and at Ballycugggeran, near Killaloe. Lahinch has earned a reputation as a top ‘surf centre’, with surf schools, social life and entertainment.

Fanore has an extensive sandy beach and sand dune system and is a popular swimming spot, owing to its location on the edge of the Burren.

Kilrush Marina has also been awarded Blue Flag Status. There is a wonderful water activity park there and, from Kilrush, you can take a boat trip to Scattery Island or to see the famous Shannon Dolphins.

The Blue Flag Programme

The Blue Flag is an international award for beach excellence. It is presented to beaches which have excellent water quality, which provide a range of services and visitor facilities, and which meet other specified criteria including environmental management, litter control and education.