One of Ireland's longest strands, Curracloe runs for 11km of soft white sand backed by grassy dunes and the pine woods of the Raven. It is an easy, family-friendly beach for walking, swimming and learning to surf.
A Blue Flag beach that is a particularly safe area for bathing, with gently shelving sand and manageable waves. Lifeguards patrol at White Gap through the summer; swim between the red and yellow flags only when they are on duty.
The Surf Shack, based at the main White Gap car park, runs beginner surf lessons, SUP tasters, board and wetsuit rental and kids' summer camps. It sits beside changing facilities with hot showers, so getting in and out of the water is easy.
The dunes behind the sand are stabilised by marram grass and flower in spring and summer, and a nature trail through them explains the local flora and fauna. The area is a haven for birdwatchers and beachcombers.
Curracloe, Ballinesker and Colloton's Gap form one continuous 7-mile/11km beach of soft, wind-blown sand. The level walk north to Ballinesker takes in the dunes, open sea and plenty of space even on busy days.
Raven Wood runs parallel to the beach for 3.6km of pine forest, with a flat loop to Raven Point of about 6.8km return from the main car park. Look for red squirrels, grey seals and, in winter, Greenland white-fronted geese.
Ballinesker's sands stood in for Omaha Beach in Saving Private Ryan. The Winning Post, on the beach since 1946, has a beach shop, amusements and rides, plus the Surf Shack café.
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