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A serene sunset over a coastal landscape with a silhouette of a distant hill. The sun sets behind clouds, casting a golden glow on the sea and reflecting on the wet sand.

Local Sligo Beaches

Sligo country boasts some beautiful beaches along the Wild Atlantic Way. Many of which feel like a slice of undiscovered paradise. Knowing where to start can be tricky, so here are some of our favourite Sligo beaches to help get you started.

To find out more about the beaches along the Wild Atlantic Way, please visit the Sligo website.

A serene beach with soft sand stretches toward calm, blue-green ocean waters under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. Distant mountains line the horizon in the background.

Strandhill Beach

Located next to the idyllic village of Strandhill is Strandhill Beach. It is another extremely popular and renowned surfing spot not only in Ireland, but in Europe as well. 

There are multiple surf schools where you can try your hand at catching some waves. Or for those who want something more relaxing, the marram grass mixed with the sand dunes makes for a great spot to sit and sip a hot drink, or for a leisurely stroll whilst soaking in the views.

Please note that the beach is off-limits for swimmers due to strong currents from the Atlantic Ocean, so please do not try to enter the water. 

A beach at low tide, where rippled sand meets still, shallow water under a tranquil sky. Distant grassy hills line the horizon, adding depth to the expansive view.

Rosses Point Beach

A haven for wildlife and an award-winning blue flag beach, Rosses Point beach is acknowledged locally for being one of the best Sligo beaches.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the beach and keep an eye out for grey seals and dolphins. To get the most out of your visit to Rosses Point, we recommend packing up a picnic and watching the sunset.

The north side of Rosses Point is also home to the monument “Waiting at Shore”, made by Maurice Harron, which honours the memory of the men and women lost at sea. 

A surfer riding a breaking wave on a sunny day with a green coastal landscape and scattered houses in the background. The wave is curling, creating a spray of white water.

Easkey Beach

Known as the home of the Irish Surfing Association, Easkey Beach is a perfect paradise for surfers. Unlike some of the other choices on our list of Sligo beaches, Easkey Beach isn’t known for its long stretch of sand, but rather its two reef breaks that assist in creating optimal waves for surfing. It’s also great for rock pooling.

There’s a small beach café – perfect for a post swim or walk treat - as well as public toilets and a car park. On the western side of the beach, you’ll find Easkey Pier, home to the O’Dowd Castle, which dates to the early 13th century.

Pink sunset clouds over a rocky beach in Sligo, Ireland with waves crashing gently.

Streedagh Beach

Much like Easkey Beach, Streedagh Beach is considered to be one of the best surfing beaches in Sligo due to its reef breaks.

From the beach you can soak up the beautiful views of the Atlantic coastline. Walk the shore, and, if you’re lucky, you may come across rocks embedded with fossils. You’ll need to come prepared to Streedagh beach, as the only nearby facilities are public toilets and parking is limited.

Streedagh beach is unique amongst Sligo beaches because it connects Streedagh Point to Connor’s Island, a private island with no public right of way.

A picturesque beach with golden sands and calm, clear waters. Grassy dunes in the foreground lead to a wide, sweeping bay under a sky filled with fluffy white clouds.

Mullaghmore Beach

Home to 3km of pure white sands, Mullaghmore beach is a designated blue flag beach and is ideal for all coastal activities, especially surfing.

Whilst popular with swimmers and surfers, Mullaghmore beach, like all Sligo beaches, is just as enticing to stroll along. With picturesque views of both Tievebaun and Truskmore mountains in the distance, it’s hard not to feel like you’re in a fairytale.

Whilst there is parking at the western side of the beach, there are no refreshment facilities directly by the beach. But a short 4-minute drive from the beach will take you to Mullaghmore town where you can access its local cafes and shops if you fancy a bite to eat.

Close-up of wavy sand patterns at low tide, highlighted by golden sunlight. The horizon shows a few people and sand dunes under a clear blue sky, evoking a tranquil beach atmosphere.

Enniscrone Beach

The furthest from the hotel of our choice of Sligo beaches is Enniscrone Beach. Found on the shores of Killala Bay, it is a blue flag beach and is almost 5km long.

It has a wide range of activities including a 27-hole golf course, a leisure centre and an amusement park. There is also a lifeguarded section of the beach during the summer. In  the charming village of Enniscrone you will find additional amenities.

This is one of the only dog-friendly Sligo beaches, and they must be kept on a leash at all times.

Sligo Beaches

Soaking up the sun in Sligo

From the surfer’s paradise of Easkey to the bustling Enniscrone, County Sligo boasts an impressive collection of beaches. But there are more beaches along the coastline that are waiting to be discovered by you.

At the Riverside Hotel Sligo, we are moments from the Wild Atlantic Way, making it easily accessible for all of our guests, and making us the perfect base for your adventures. We look forward to welcoming you to Sligo.

For more information on the Wild Atlantic Way beaches, click here.