Swim in Blue Flag water
The beach faces east into the Irish Sea and slopes gently, so it is generally safe and calm for swimming, and it carries Blue Flag status for water quality. Swim between the red and yellow flags when lifeguards are on duty.
Carne Beach
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About
A Blue Flag curve of firm, east-facing sand in Wexford's sunny south-east corner, sheltered by dunes and anchored by a small working fishing pier.
Things to Do
Relax at Carne Pier
At the south end a small fishing pier shelters a working harbour of local boats and doubles as a viewing point over the bay. The car park and pier are the official viewing areas for the beach.
Walk the 1.5km strand
The fairly firm sand makes for easy walking along the water's edge, with scattered rocks and rock pools at low tide. Look out for fishing boats and ferries from nearby Rosslare Harbour out on the Irish Sea.
Tackle the St Helen's Trail
A 4km waymarked (yellow markers) coastal walk runs from St Helen's Pier south past Old Mill Beach to finish at Carne Pier, graded easy and taking just under two hours one way.
Chips at The Lighthouse Chippie
The Lighthouse Chippie sits right by the beach, serving fish, battered sausages, freshly cooked chips, cold drinks and ice cream. Take it over to the harbour wall and eat with a sea view.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: Open to visit all year round; there is no fixed closing time. Toilets are available all year.
- Parking: Car parking beside the pier with 2 disabled spaces; more roadside parking is available with paths through the dunes to the beach. Access is by car, with an easy flat concrete ramp down to the sand.
- Food: The Lighthouse Chippie is right on the beach for fish, chips, cold drinks and ice cream. The neighbouring Carne Beach Caravan Park has a restaurant, chippy and bar.
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