Strandhill: Surfing, Coastal Paths and Nature

Strandhill is a place for days in and on the water, as well as coastal walks, wildlife watching and glimpses into Sligo’s history. At the beach, surfing opportunities meet expansive views of Knocknarea and Benbulben. If you’re planning a trip, you can alternate between active hours by the sea, walks and more leisurely discoveries along the coast.

Surfing, kayaking and relaxing hours at the beach

Strandhill Beach is a popular surf beach with several surf schools for beginners and experienced surfers. The National Surf Centre Strandhill houses three surf schools, the County Sligo Surf Club and a specialist surf shop. The Centre also offers changing rooms, showers and lockers, with views of the water. Strandhill Surf School offers surfing lessons for children and adults at the beach, as well as stand-up paddleboarding; it provides all the equipment for these activities. You can therefore spend time at the beach in the water or make use of the Surf Centre’s facilities, depending on your interests.

Another way to get out on the water is to take a guided kayak tour with Sligo Kayak Tours on the coastal waters of Strandhill. If you’d rather stay on land, there are cafés and restaurants near Strandhill Beach. The beach offers a range of activities and ways to spend time, so not every day has to look the same.

Coastal paths, dunes and seals

Walking trails from Strandhill Beach lead through the natural landscape to Culleenamore Beach and Killaspugbrone. Other paths pass through dunes covered in marram grass. Strandhill Beach is also one of the Wild Atlantic Way’s Discovery Points in County Sligo. Panoramic views from the beach of Knocknarea and Benbulben provide a striking backdrop to the coastal landscape.

For wildlife watching, visit Culleenamore at low tide: you can then observe one of Ireland’s largest seal colonies on the central sandbanks. This is a different coastal experience from surfing or a kayak tour, focusing on life in and around the water. If you’d like to combine several interests, you can vary your day trips between activity, views and wildlife watching.

Killaspugbrone and other discoveries

The Killaspugbrone Loop passes the early Christian site of Killaspugbrone Church. Along its route, it crosses coastal habitats including sand dunes, salt marsh and pine forest; the Strandhill promenade is the start and finish point. Killaspugbrone itself consists of the ruins of an old church and an adjoining cemetery at the far end of the headland behind Strandhill Airport. The combination of a historic site and varied coastal habitats makes the loop a distinctive way to discover Strandhill.

Golf is another option in the area: Strandhill Golf Club was founded in 1931, and play on the current 18-hole course began in 1973. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home in Strandhill, these different interests may help you decide: is surfing and watersports the main focus, or would you rather explore paths, landscapes, wildlife and culture? The mix you’re looking for can help you plan the right kinds of days for your stay.

Getting your bearings during your stay

Bus Éireann’s S2 route connects Strandhill with Rosses Point via ATU Sligo. If you’d like to explore the area without your own car, you can take this connection into account when planning your trip; no information about service frequency or journey time is implied. Strandhill Caravan and Camping Park is right by the beach and covers eight hectares. Together with the cafés and restaurants near Strandhill Beach, it provides a useful starting point for planning days when you want to alternate between the coast, activities and a break nearby.

Whether you’re interested in surfing lessons, a guided kayak tour, the Killaspugbrone Loop or watching seals at low tide, Strandhill offers plenty of reasons to spend time on the coast. Tailor your search for holiday accommodation to the experiences that matter to you on your trip. More local pages: Cliffony, Grange, Cloghboley, Tiratick, Collooney, Streedagh, Cloonacool and Ballaghnatrillick.

For the broader travel overview: County Sligo.