Lake swim
Cloonee Loughs
20 min drive Sheltered swim
Three linked freshwater lakes below the Beara mountains on the R571, on the way to Gleninchaquin Park. Still, clear water for a quiet swim; there are no facilities.
DirectionsCoast
Swim spots near Kenmare.
Kenmare sits at the head of a long, sheltered bay, so the nearest swims are piers, lakes and coves rather than surf beaches. For a Blue Flag strand with lifeguards, head west to Derrynane.
Tap a marker for details and directions.
The list
Ordered by drive time from Kenmare. Drive times are approximate. None of these spots has a lifeguard except Derrynane in summer.
Local pier
Oysterbed Pier, Sneem
25 min drive Sheltered swim
A sheltered swim pier on the Kenmare River just outside Sneem, deep on a rising tide.
DirectionsLake swim
Glanmore Lake, Lauragh
35 min drive Paddle / view
A forest-ringed lake near Lauragh below the Healy Pass, reached by a track from roadside parking. Cold, deep water with no marked swim area or lifeguard: for experienced wild swimmers only.
DirectionsCove beach
White Strand, Castlecove
40 min drive Sheltered swim
A white-sand beach split into small coves by rocky outcrops, looking across the Kenmare River to Beara. Sheltered and generally good for swimming, with no lifeguard or formal car park.
DirectionsBlue Flag beach
Derrynane Beach
50 min drive Strong currents — care
A long sandy bay beside Derrynane House with summer lifeguards and a water-sports centre. The widest stretch has strong currents, so stay between the flags.
Directions