Curracloe

Curracloe offers a combination of beach, watersports and trails through dune and woodland landscapes. When choosing where to stay, you can consider whether you plan to spend most of your time at Curracloe Beach, take surf or stand-up paddleboarding lessons, or walk in Raven Point Wood. Curracloe Beach stretches from Raven Point to Ballyconigar near Blackwater. Its three main access points are Ballinsker, White Gap and Culletons Gap.

Beach access and getting around

White Gap is the largest of the three access points. Curracloe Beach has around 500 parking spaces, most of them at White Gap. Boardwalks lead from the car parks to the beach sections at White Gap, Ballinsker and Culletons Gap. Beach access points can change due to coastal management, and shifting sand can also affect the condition of the boardwalks. If you depend on a particular access point or route, check local conditions before your visit.

Beach wheelchairs are available free of charge at White Gap; advance booking is recommended. Lifeguards are on duty at Curracloe Beach at White Gap during the summer months. Toilets for men, women and people with disabilities are available at White Gap; toilets for men and women are available at Ballinesker. Seasonal toilet opening hours may change. Check the latest information if you need these facilities for your plans.

Curracloe Beach is one of Wexford’s Blue Flag beaches. As awards can change between annual award cycles, it is worth checking the current status if this award is important to your decision.

Watersports in Curracloe

The Curracloe Water Sports Facility opened to the public on 28 August 2025. It was specifically designed for visitors who surf, kayak, paddleboard or swim. As a central hub, it provides safety briefings, group coordination and secure storage for personal belongings. In Curracloe, The Surf Shack Ireland offers surf and stand-up paddleboarding lessons for all ages and experience levels; seasonal scheduling may vary. This means you can plan both the practical arrangements for a watersports visit and guided surf and SUP lessons.

Dunes, woodland and wildlife watching

Nearby Raven Nature Reserve is designated as a Special Area of Conservation because of its habitats and is an important habitat for the native red squirrel. A 6.5 km circular trail runs through the reserve’s woodlands. The Raven Point Wood Walking Trail is located behind Curracloe Beach and follows a circular route through sand dunes and areas mainly wooded with Corsican pines.

The Raven Point Wood Walking Trail is an easy walk along a woodland path and is suitable for the whole family. There is a car park at the starting point. Along the trail you may spot red squirrels, grey seals and other wildlife; sightings are not guaranteed. Trail conditions and access may change, so it is a good idea to check for the latest information before your walk.

At Curracloe Beach, a nature trail runs through the dunes and offers the opportunity to learn more about the local flora and fauna. The trail descriptions have different focuses: the nature trail explores the dunes and their plant and animal life, while the Raven Point Wood Walking Trail focuses on woodland, pines and possible wildlife sightings.

Curracloe as a filming location

The beach’s film history is also part of its appeal: the opening scenes of “Saving Private Ryan” were filmed at Curracloe Beach, directed by Steven Spielberg. Many Wexford residents took part as extras.

Discover more destinations: Ardamine, Raheen, Saint Helen's, Blackwater, Oulart, Ballinaboola, Castlebridge, Courtown

For the main travel overview: County Wexford.