Brittas Bay: Beach, Dunes and Water Sports

If you’re looking for a hotel in Brittas Bay, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay. The destination combines a five-kilometre stretch of white sand dunes and clean beaches with water sports, dune landscapes and historical themes. When planning your trip, you can choose how to balance the beach and water activities, nature interests, and a visit to nearby heritage sites.

Coast and dunes

Brittas Bay has a five-kilometre stretch of white sand dunes and clean beaches. The main dune ridges are well developed and reach a height of ten metres. The five kilometres describe the length of the coastal stretch, while the ten metres refer to the height of the dunes—two different measures that help put the landscape into perspective.

The area is also an important habitat for very rare dune heath and well-developed flora. The endangered wild asparagus (Asparagus prostratus) is found in Brittas Bay; this is the species’ northernmost recorded location in Ireland. The protected dune area includes the two main dune systems of Brittas Bay and Buckroney Dunes, which are connected along the coast by the rocky headland of Mizen Head.

Water activities

Blueway water activities in Brittas Bay include open-water swimming, surfing and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Wicklow Water Land & Adventure offers surfing and SUP lessons, as well as equipment hire for adults and children, at Brittas Bay Beach throughout the year. These services are subject to booking and conditions, so check availability for your chosen lesson or hire period in advance. Open-water swimming is available alongside surfing and SUP; the provider’s lessons and hire cover the two board sports.

Getting your bearings at South Beach

Brittas Bay South Beach has public toilets and a car park. During the bathing season, lifeguards patrol the beach. The Brittas Bay PURE Mile starts near the car park at Brittas Bay South Beach and runs to Brittas Bay Bridge, also known as Potters Bridge. South Beach and the bridge are the two named landmarks that help you follow the route. Check local conditions before setting out; both route conditions and operational information about visitor facilities may change.

Traditions and heritage

The Brittas Bay Heritage Trail refers to historical traditions about St Patrick landing at Three Mile Water in Brittas Bay and founding an important monastic site there. The focus here is on traditions associated with a specific place, complementing the natural history of the dunes and plants with a historical theme.

About a mile from Brittas Bay Beach lies the Castletimon Heritage Trail. It passes through an archaeologically rich area with evidence of settlement dating back to the Bronze Age. The trail’s surroundings include the 12th-century church of Castletimon and a cemetery whose oldest legible headstone dates from 1720. The remains of an 18th-century mill’s walls can also be seen nearby. Other points of interest include the Castletimon standing stone, dated to around 3500 BC, and an Ogham stone from the 4th century. For travellers who want to explore archaeology and architectural history as well as the coast, Castletimon offers a distinct focus nearby.

When planning your visit, note the different schedules: surfing and SUP lessons and equipment hire are available throughout the year, while lifeguards patrol South Beach during the bathing season.

Discover more destinations: Aughrim, Boystown, Ballyknockan, Greystones, Oldbridge, Redcross, Woodenbridge, Dunlavin

For the broader travel overview: County Wicklow.