Walk the 5 km strand
The flat sand spit runs about 5 km into Dingle Bay; at low tide the beach roughly doubles and the wet flats are firmest underfoot. Give yourself an hour and you'll have Dingle Bay and the Kerry mountains on either side.
The Inch Beach, Co. Kerry
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About
Inch Beach is a 5 km Blue Flag sand spit that runs straight out into Dingle Bay — flat enough to walk for an hour and famous enough to drive onto, with surf schools, a beach café and Ring of Kerry views framing the whole strand.
Things to Do
Surf at Kingdom Waves
Kingdom Waves Surf School runs group and private lessons plus board and wetsuit hire on the beach, and is an Irish Surfing Association approved school. The steady Atlantic swell suits beginners and experienced riders alike, with autumn usually giving the most reliable surf.
Swim between the flags
Inch is a Blue Flag beach with lifeguards on duty during peak season, generally May to September, so swim in the red-and-yellow flagged zone. The Atlantic stays cool even in summer, so plan short swims.
Drive onto the sand
It is possible to drive a car onto the beach, but caution is urged as vehicles get caught in soft, wet sand, particularly at the south end. If you would rather stay off the sand, a short road past the car park leads to a viewpoint with the classic panorama.
Warm up in the beach sauna
Bothán na Mara runs a sauna right on the beach, a popular way to thaw out after a cold-water dip.
Eat at Sammy's Café
Sammy's Café sits right on the strand and serves coffee, burgers and snacks with the bay in front of you. The Seafront Inn and the Inch Beach House restaurant are a short walk away, and Kitty's food truck sits across the road by the campsite.
Fish or kayak the bay
The clear water and gentle gradient have made this one of Ireland's top bass-fishing spots, and kayakers launch at low tide to look for grey seals and, occasionally, dolphins.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: No set hours — the beach is open access year-round. Lifeguards patrol during the official bathing season, generally May to September between 10:00 and 17:00; check the on-site noticeboard for exact times.
- Admission: Free entry — no charge to visit the beach.
- Parking: Free car park by the beach entrance, with extra tide-dependent space at the north end. It fills fast on fine summer days and you can also drive onto the sand (soft, wet patches trap cars).
- Food: Sammy's Café on the strand (coffee, burgers, snacks), the Seafront Inn and the Inch Beach House restaurant nearby, a shop/café at the beach entrance, Kitty's food truck across the road, and Foley's Bar in the village.
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