Curracloe Beach

Curracloe Beach, Raven Point, Curracloe
1-90 Years

Description

Are you looking for the best things to do with kids in Wexford? Curracloe Beach is an expansive coastal reserve and outdoor recreation venue located just a few miles from Wexford town in County Wexford. It serves as a fantastic open-air destination where families can enjoy coastal nature, explore sprawling sand dunes, and experience a refreshing educational day out exploring the Irish sea margins.

Prices start from £0.00 as this public beach is completely free to enter. There are no ticket barriers or mandatory access charges, making it a highly budget-friendly destination for an outdoor family afternoon.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that offers soft sand and safe walking trails, this famous seaside spot is an excellent selection. It provides a huge natural playground for younger kids to run safely while older children learn about coastal geography and wildlife.

Features

  • Free
  • Host birthday parties: No

Features

Key Features

  • Sensory Play Elements: The incredibly soft golden sand, crashing shoreline surf, and sea breeze make this a beautiful natural sensory environment.
  • Educational Day Out: The sprawling dune networks are protected habitats that show kids how coastal plants protect the mainland from sea erosion.
  • Interactive Exhibits: While there are no museum-style electronic screens, the exposed tidal flats let kids hunt for marine shells and observe tiny crabs.

Detailed Highlights

  • The Soft Golden Strand: The sand quality here is world-famous for being extremely fine and stone-free. Little kids can build sandcastles for hours without scraping their hands on sharp gravel.
  • The Raven Nature Reserve Trail: A wooden boardwalk and nature path loop through the pine forests right next to the beach. Children love looking out for red squirrels and rare wild birds hiding in the trees.
  • The Massive Sand Dunes: The dunes behind the strand are incredibly high and dynamic. Active children will have great fun climbing up the designated paths and looking out across the sea.
  • The Surf Watching Zones: This beach features long, rolling sets of waves perfect for beginners. Kids will love watching bodyboarders or trying to jump over the white surf themselves in the summer.
  • The Famous Film Location: The strand was used to film the opening beach landings in the movie Saving Private Ryan. Parents can share this fun piece of history with teenagers as they walk along the coast.

Specific Named Attractions & Features

  • The Curracloe Strand Shoreline
  • The Raven Point Pine Forest Trail
  • The Ballinesker Beach Border Walk
  • The Raven Nature Reserve Protected Dunes
  • The White Gap Coastal Access Point
  • The Culleton's Gap Walking Route

Facilities

  • Toilets & Changing: Public toilet facilities are available near the main beach access points during the busy summer months.
  • Buggy Parking: There is no secure buggy storage on-site, but the flat wooden boardwalk paths leading onto the sand are handy for robust pushchairs.
  • Food Options: Small seasonal shops, ice cream trailers, and beach cafes operate near the main car parks to supply families with snacks and drinks.

What to see

What Visitors Love

  • The sand is exceptionally clean and soft, which is perfect for barefoot walking and play.
  • The extensive pine forest trails provide an excellent sheltered alternative walk if the sea wind gets too strong.
  • Lifeguards patrol the main designated zones during the summer season, giving parents peace of mind.
  • The parking areas provide immediate access to the sand without massive uphill treks.

What Visitors Don't Like

  • The open Atlantic location means it can become incredibly breezy, so packing windbreakers is essential.
  • Winter visits can feel very isolated as the local seasonal shops and toilets close outside of peak summer months.

Pro-Tips

  • Arrive Early: The main parking areas fill up incredibly quickly during sunny summer weekends, so aim to arrive before 11:00 am to secure a close space.
  • Use the Boardwalks: Always use the designated timber paths when crossing into the beach area to avoid damaging the fragile marram grass growing on the dunes.

Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open daily 24 hours. Visiting during clear daylight hours is strongly advised to navigate the forest paths safely.

Address: Curracloe Beach, Raven Point, Curracloe

Post Code:

Council: Wexford County Counc

County: County Wexford

  • By Bus: Local shuttle buses occasionally run from Wexford town to Curracloe village during peak summer periods.
  • By Car: Drive north out of Wexford town on the R741 road, then turn onto the R742 following the clear brown tourist pointers for Curracloe.
  • Parking: Free public car parks are situated directly at the White Gap and Culleton's Gap access points right next to the beach entrance.

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