Green Coast

Silver Strand Beach, Sherkin Island

Co. Cork, Ireland
Water qualityCouncil-monitored
Blue Flag 2026No
Green CoastYes
DogsYear-round
Always verify the car-park location on arrival. Road and access conditions may change.

About Silver Strand Beach, Sherkin Island

Silver Strand is a beautiful white-sand beach on Sherkin Island, facing Cape Clear and regularly named among Ireland’s finest. Reaching it is part of the pleasure: a short 10–15 minute ferry runs year-round from Baltimore pier, and from the island slip it is a 30–40 minute walk on quiet island roads — there are no visitor cars on Sherkin, so park at Baltimore and travel on foot. The walk passes the ruins of a 15th-century Franciscan friary, Dunalong Castle and the island’s marine station, giving the trip a real sense of discovery. There is no lifeguard, so swimming should be taken with care, but the clear, calm water and the island’s deep peace make Silver Strand an idyllic reward for the crossing.

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 51.469, -9.4285. Always verify the car park on arrival — access can change.

Map

Verified car-park pin.

Activity suitability

  • Surfing — No surf
  • Walking — Short walk (under 1km)
  • Lifeguard (summer) — No
  • Not yet confirmed: Swimming

Facilities

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

Facilities confirmed from Cork County Council and Fáilte Ireland Source.

Water quality

This beach is monitored by the local authority as a non-identified bathing water; it does not hold an official EPA annual classification. Check the local county council notices and signage before swimming, particularly after heavy rain.

Where to stay nearby

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