Curracloe: Beach, Dunes and Nature Experiences

Curracloe combines an expansive beach with dunes, woodland trails and water sports. Curracloe Beach stretches from Raven Point to Ballyconigar near Blackwater and is one of Wexford’s Blue Flag beaches. When choosing where to stay, consider whether you mainly want to spend time at the beach, get out on the water or explore trails through the woods and dunes.

Water Sports and Beach Access

The Curracloe Water Sports Facility was designed specifically for visitors who want to surf, kayak, paddleboard or swim. It serves as a hub for safety briefings, group coordination and the secure storage of personal belongings. The Surf Shack Ireland offers surfing and stand-up paddleboarding lessons for all ages and experience levels. The Surf Shack in Curracloe offers public surf lessons, children’s summer camps, family lessons, group training and private one-to-one coaching. Families can choose from joint lessons, activities for children and group sessions.

Curracloe Beach has three main access points: Ballinsker, White Gap and Culletons Gap; White Gap is the largest. Lifeguards are on duty at White Gap on Curracloe Beach during the summer months. Wooden boardwalks lead from the car parks to the beach sections at White Gap, Ballinsker and Culletons Gap. There are around 500 parking spaces in total at the beach, most of them at White Gap. Beach wheelchairs are available there free of charge; advance booking is recommended. Toilet facilities also vary by access point: White Gap has toilets for men, women and people with disabilities, while Ballinesker has toilets for men and women.

Woods, Dunes and Nature

The 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 woods. If you would like to include a woodland walk in your trip, you can consider this route as a separate option alongside a visit to the beach.

Behind Curracloe Beach is the Raven Point Wood Walking Trail, with a car park at the trailhead. The circular route passes through sand dunes and areas covered mainly with Corsican pines. This easy walk along a woodland path is suitable for the whole family. Along the way, visitors may spot red squirrels, grey seals and other wildlife. A nature trail at Curracloe Beach also winds through the dunes and offers information about the local flora and fauna. There are several different ways to enjoy nature: a longer woodland walk, a stroll through the dunes and pine landscape, or the nature trail at the beach.

A Beach with Film History

Curracloe is also known to film fans: the opening scenes of “Saving Private Ryan” were filmed at Curracloe Beach, directed by Steven Spielberg. Many Wexford residents took part as extras. This connection to film history adds another distinctive aspect to the beach’s nature and water experiences.

Discover More Places

If you’d like to expand your search to other places, you can find Kilmuckridge, Saint Helen's, Taghmon, Gorey, Milehouse, Newbawn, Fethard and Raheen here.

For the broader travel overview: County Wexford.