NIEA bathing water

Donaghadee

Co. Down, Northern Ireland

Water qualitySee nidirect.gov.uk NIEA

Blue Flag 2026No

Seaside AwardNo

DogsYear-round

Always verify the car-park location on arrival. Road and access conditions may change.

About Donaghadee

Donaghadee is a handsome harbour town on the Ards Peninsula, with an elegant 19th-century harbour and lighthouse and a swimming spot that is a DAERA-identified bathing water. Boat trips run out to the Copeland Islands, an important bird sanctuary just offshore, and Grace Neill's — reputedly one of the oldest pubs in Ireland — sits on the main street. Once the shortest sea crossing to Scotland, the town has a genuine maritime character, and the shore and harbour make a fine stroll. Check the DAERA dashboard for the current water-quality classification before you swim.

Get directions to the car park

This searches for the named car park on Google Maps — a place-name match, not yet a GPS-confirmed pin.

📍 Find Donaghadee Harbour car park on Google Maps

Named from official sources but not yet pin-verified — always confirm on arrival.

Map

Approximate location, auto-geocoded from a named car park — not yet a GPS-verified pin. Always verify on arrival.

Activity suitability

Surfing — No surf
Walking — Good walk (1–3km)
Lifeguard (summer) — No
Not yet confirmed: Swimming

Facilities

Toilets — Yes
Car park — Free
Lifeguard — No
Not yet confirmed: Disabled access, Shower, Café nearby

Facilities confirmed from the local council and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Discover Northern Ireland Source.

Water quality

Water quality information is sourced from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ireland and is updated annually. During the bathing season real-time water quality updates are available at nidirect.gov.uk. Always check nidirect.gov.uk and local signage at the beach before swimming, particularly after heavy rainfall. IrishBeaches.ie accepts no liability for water quality conditions at the time of your visit.

This is a DAERA-identified bathing water. Its current annual classification is published each year at nidirect.gov.uk — check there for the latest rating before you swim.

Donaghadee is a DAERA-identified bathing water. Its 2025 classification is not in the confirmed 'Excellent' set for Northern Ireland — check the DAERA bathing water dashboard for the current rating before you swim.

Where to stay nearby

Search accommodation near Donaghadee

Verified local listings for Down are coming as we build out our accommodation guide.