- Water quality Excellent sampled 15 Sep 2026
- Sea temp 12.1 °C surface, modelled
- Waves 0.4 m period 3 s · NE
- Wind 7 mph from N · gust 11
- Next tide High 04:43 today · 4.6 m
Blue Flag beach with lifeguards and grazed dunes, looking across to the Mournes.
Conditions now
Water quality
A designated bathing water: DAERA samples it weekly through the bathing season (1 June–15 September).
Latest sample 15 Sep 2026: Excellent — E. coli 28, intestinal enterococci 10 CFU/100 ml
Sample history (40 shown)
| Date | E. coli | Ent. | Rating | Algae |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 2026 | 28 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 10 Sep 2026 | 40 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 2 Sep 2026 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 26 Aug 2026 | 40 | 80 | Excellent | — |
| 21 Aug 2026 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 17 Aug 2026 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 13 Aug 2026 | 20 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 10 Aug 2026 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 5 Aug 2026 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 28 Jul 2026 | 28 | 11 | Excellent | — |
| 24 Jul 2026 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 20 Jul 2026 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 17 Jul 2026 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 8 Jul 2026 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 2 Jul 2026 | 29 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 25 Jun 2026 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 16 Jun 2026 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 9 Jun 2026 | 34 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 4 Jun 2026 | 11 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 1 Jun 2026 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 28 May 2026 | 23 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 8 Sep 2025 | 24 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 2 Sep 2025 | 35 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 28 Aug 2025 | 28 | 15 | Excellent | — |
| 20 Aug 2025 | 42 | 37 | Excellent | — |
| 15 Aug 2025 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 11 Aug 2025 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 8 Aug 2025 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 29 Jul 2025 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 24 Jul 2025 | 16 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 16 Jul 2025 | 10 | 15 | Excellent | — |
| 8 Jul 2025 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 3 Jul 2025 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 30 Jun 2025 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 24 Jun 2025 | 12 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 20 Jun 2025 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 18 Jun 2025 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 12 Jun 2025 | 17 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 6 Jun 2025 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
| 2 Jun 2025 | 10 | 10 | Excellent | — |
Weekly lab samples, not real-time. Avoid bathing for 48 h after heavy rain. Bathing Water Profile (PDF).
Sewage & storm overflows
No NI Water storm overflow mapped within 1.2 mi. Most of NI's overflows have no spill monitor, so this isn't the same as “no spills”.
Nearest wastewater treatment works: Ballykinler MOD WwTW (2.1 mi) · Ballykinler NIW WwTW (2.1 mi → Dundrum Bay Outer).
Amenities & features
Dogs, access & rules
- Dogs: Dogs are not permitted in the designated bathing area 1 June–15 September, 10:00–18:00; still allowed on the western side year-round and beyond the bathing area to the east. Council byelaw
- Vehicles on the sand: Car-free beach — park in the dune-backed car park behind the sand (accessible bays available). (Editorial)
Rules and dates vary by council and season — check the signage at the entrance.
Boating — nearest harbours & marinas
- Dundrum 3.9 mi
- Killough 4.3 mi
- Ardglass 5.7 mi
2 more further away
- Newcastle 6.8 mi
- Strangford 11.3 mi
Wildlife & designations
This beach lies in or within 0.6 mi of:
- ASSI Murlough
2 protected features
- Intertidal mudflats and sandflats Favourable, 2021
- Harbour seal Phoca vitulina Favourable, 2018
- ASSI Tyrella and Minerstown
3 protected features
- Intertidal rock Favourable, 2019
- Intertidal mudflats and sandflats Favourable, 2019
- Harbour seal Phoca vitulina Favourable, 2011
- SAC Murlough
3 protected features
- Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide Favourable, 2021
- Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time Favourable, 2016
- Harbour seal Phoca vitulina Favourable, 2018
Protected features and their latest condition assessment, from DAERA's 2023 marine protected area review. Only sites with a marine part are assessed there.
Alerts & advisories
No advisories active for this beach today.