A horseshoe of golden sand and impossibly turquoise water, cradled between sheer cliffs at the western tip of Achill Island — consistently voted one of the world's most beautiful beaches.
The bay's sheltered east-facing orientation keeps the Atlantic swell at bay, creating calm, crystal-clear waters. Named the No.1 wild swimming spot in the UK & Ireland thanks to 'ultra-clean' water. Water temperatures peak at 16–20°C in mid-August. Lifeguards patrol during summer months.
A steep but short climb (about 30 min up) on Moyteogue Head leads to the disused coastguard lookout station. From here you get the iconic aerial view over the horseshoe bay and west towards Achill Head. Follow the rough path from the road rather than scrambling directly from the beach. Wear sturdy footwear — it's extremely slippery after rain.
Stroll the full sweep of white sand to the far end, where unusual rock formations meet the cliffs. After heavy rain, keep an eye out for amethyst stones — a seam was exposed here in the 1960s and fragments still wash up. The east-facing beach is also a superb sunrise spot.
Basking sharks — gentle 8-metre giants — cruise the bay in May and June. Common dolphins are a regular sight, and seals often pop up near the rocks. Kayakers and paddleboarders have the best chance of close encounters, but always keep a respectful distance.
The bay's clear water and rocky fringes make it one of Mayo's top snorkelling spots — expect starfish, wrasse and kelp forests. Equipment can be hired locally. Paddleboarding and sea kayaking are also popular; the sheltered bay is ideal for beginners on calm days.
Keem Bay starred in the Oscar-nominated film — Colm Doherty's cottage stood here (now gone) and the final beach scenes were shot on this sand. The white building above the beach is the old coastguard station, not the film cottage. Pick up the free Banshees trail brochure from Achill Tourism for other filming locations around the island.
The journey is half the experience. The R319 narrows to a single-track cliff-edge road after Dooagh, climbing 200 metres above the Atlantic with heart-stopping views. There's a tiny pull-in at the highest point for photos — if it's free, grab it. Then the road snakes down to reveal Keem in all its glory.
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