Blue Flag 2026

Garretstown

Co. Cork, Ireland

Water qualityExcellent EPA

Blue Flag 2026Yes

Green CoastNo

DogsSeasonal

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

About Garretstown

Garretstown is a Blue Flag surf beach on the Old Head of Kinsale coast in Cork, a broad strand of golden sand popular with surfers and families. Lifeguarded in summer, it has reliable Atlantic waves and a surf school, with a forest park and the historic Old Head close by. Rip currents mean swimming is best within the flags on this lively West Cork beach.

Get directions to the car park

This opens the verified car-park pin — never the beach itself or a mid-route point.

📍 Get directions to the car park

Pin confirmed at 51.6373, -8.6272. Always verify the car park on arrival — access can change.

Map

Verified car-park pin.

Activity suitability

Surfing — Intermediate
Walking — Good walk (1–3km)
Lifeguard (summer) — Yes
Not yet confirmed: Swimming

Facilities

Toilets — Seasonal
Car park — Free
Disabled access — Yes
Lifeguard — Yes
Not yet confirmed: Shower, Café nearby

Facilities confirmed from Cork County Council and Fáilte Ireland Source.

Water quality

Water quality information is sourced from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland and is updated annually. During the bathing season real-time water quality updates are available at beaches.ie. Always check beaches.ie 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.

EPA classification: Excellent (latest annual bathing-water assessment). Always check beaches.ie for the current rating.

Where to stay nearby

Search accommodation near Garretstown

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

Nearby golf

From the GolfIreland.ie network. Distances are straight-line (as the crow flies), not driving distance.