Enjoying the Coast at Seapoint Beach in Dublin
As Dublin is a coastal city, you can’t fault us locals when we gravitate towards the beach during the summer months. While there are other beaches like Portmarnock Beach, my beach of choice has to be Seapoint Beach.
It wasn’t my first choice when I moved to Dublin, but I found its charm after visiting it a few times. It’s one of the more accessible beaches and is closer to Dublin City Centre than any other beach. It’s also got a Martello Tower, which is fun.
If you’re looking to have a beach day, then Seapoint Beach might be the beach for you. So come with us as we share everything you’ll need to know about Seapoint Beach so you can beat the heat with the cold sea.
What Is Seapoint Beach Known For?
Seapoint Beach is a popular beach situated in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin. It’s one of the more accessible beaches in Dublin County, and it’s frequented by locals due to its being one of the few safe beaches to bathe in Dublin.
Best Time to Go to Seapoint Beach
The best time to head to Seapoint Beach is during the months of June to August. We would suggest heading to the beach during these months, at around 12 PM, due to these being the dates and times when there are lifeguards available at the beach.
Things to Know about Seapoint Beach
Address: Seapoint Beach is located at Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland, beside Matrello Tower Number 14. It’s close to other beaches such as Salthill Beach, Merrion Strand, Sandymount Strand, and Dollymount Strand.
Operating Hours: Seapoint Beach is open 7 days a week. However, the hours it’s open will vary depending on the season. Here are the operating hours for each season.
| SEAPOINT BEACH OPERATING HOURS | |
| Season | Hours |
| Winter (1st November to 28th February) | Open 24 hours |
| Spring (1st March to 30th April) | 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM |
| Summer (1st May to 31st August) | 7:30 AM – 9:30 PM |
| Autumn (1st September to 31st October) | 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM |
Parking: There is no parking available at Seapoint Beach. There are, however, three car parks close by. These are the Salthill Beach Car Park, the 15 Link Road Parking, and the Car Park Montpelier.
Contact Information: Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is the one operating Seapoint Beach. You can contact them through either their mobile number at 01 205 4700 or through their email at [email protected].
They also have an emergency hotline at 01 677 8844 in case you experience an emergency outside of regular business hours or on weekends.
Pets: Pets are allowed at Seapoint Beach. However, they do require you to keep them on a leash at all times. Service animals are also allowed on the beach, but bring proper documentation for your service animals to be safe.
Accessibility at Seapoint Beach
Accessible Toilets: Seapoint Beach features accessible toilets. These can be found near the Martello Tower and offer ample space for wheelchair users and those with disabilities to use.
Ramps: Seapoint Beach features ramps for easy access to wheelchair users. However, it’s not advised to use a normal wheelchair on the sand as you can easily get stuck in it due to the terrain.
How To Get To Seapoint Beach
Car: The only wya to access Seapoint Beach is through Seapoint Avenue, which is a one-way road. The roads that connect to Seapoint Avenue are Belgrave Place, Seafield Avenue, and Albany Avenue.
Dublin Bus: There are quite a few different Dublin Bus Routes that travel near or around Seapoint Beach. Below is a list of the specific routes and the stops associated with them.
| Dublin Bus Route | Bus Stop | Operating Hours |
| Route 7 | Queen’s Park Stop | Monday to Friday: • 5:45 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday: • 6:30 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday: • 7:50 AM – 11:15 PM |
| Route 7A | Queen’s Park Stop | Monday to Friday: • 6:00 AM – 11:15 PM Saturday: • 6:15 AM – 11:10 PM Sunday: • 8:10 AM – 11:30 PM |
Bike: Biking to Seapoint Beach is quite easy. Just follow the same routes we discussed earlier, and you should find your way to the beach. There is ample bike parking at the beach.
DART Train System: The closest DART train station to Seapoint Beach is Seapoint Station, which is a short walk from the beach.
Taxi: You can easily take a taxi to Seapoint Beach. Please bear in mind that this will be an expensive option, especially if you’re coming from Dublin City Centre.
Important Things to Note about Seapoint Beach
Bathing Area: The bathing area at Seapoint Beach allows access for humans only. Dogs and other pets are not allowed near or at the bathing area. Lifeguards will fine anyone who doesn’t respect this rule.
Shallow Areas: There are shallow areas near the southern end of Seapoint Beach. Please be advised to tread carefully and look at your surroundings when swimming at this part of the beach due to sharp, hidden rocks.
Lifeguards: Like other beaches in Dublin, lifeguards are only readily available during the summer months at Seapoint Beach. However, there are some instances when lifeguards are on duty, but these are random.
Water Quality: Water quality is often tested at Seapoint Beach. While it has yet to receive a score lower than Excellent, it is still advisable to check this website to ensure the water is safe enough to bathe in.
Blue Flag Award: Seapoint Beach is a constant holder of the Blue Flag Award as it maintains an eco-friendly stance. Littering at the beach will cause you to be fined, so please be aware of that.
Things to Do at Seapoint Beach
While staying at the beach all day is enjoyable, the surrounding areas of Seapoint Beach offer a variety of experiences to choose from. Here are the ones that we’d highly recommend you try.
Have a stroll at Dún Laoghaire Harbour
– Media Credit: Love_DúnLaoghaire Instagram
Website: https://www.dlrcoco.ie
Address: Harbour Rd, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 280 1018
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
Taking a stroll at Dún Laoghaire Harbour is a great idea after visiting Seapoint Beach. The harbour is home to a variety of businesses, including sweet shops and ice cream parlours, making it a great choice for families with children.
There’s also the magnificent view of the harbour, which gives you a glimpse of Dublin’s coastline that is far greater than the one at Seapoint Beach. You’ll also find a lot of restaurants near the harbour that serve fresh seafood, which is always welcome.
Learn about the sea at The National Maritime Museum of Ireland
– Media Credit: Maritime Museum of Ireland Instagram
Website: https://www.mariner.ie
Address: Haigh Terrace, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 280 0969
Price Range: €5 – €18
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday:
- 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The National Maritime Museum of Ireland is the perfect place for those who are looking to learn more about Dublin’s unique ties to the sea. The museum has a host of various books and lectures designed to teach you more about Ireland’s marine life.
There are also exhibits at the museum that showcase what life in the sea is like. With rooms ranging from recreated Radio Rooms and the Titanic Artefact Room, you’re sure to have a fun time learning and exploring the seas.
Learn about Literature at The Joyce Tower Museum
– Media Credit: James Joyce Tower Instagram
Website: https://joycetower.ie
Address: Sandycove Point, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, A96 FX33, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 280 9265
Price Range: Free
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday:
- 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The James Joyce Tower Museum is a beloved museum that is frequented by many who visit Dublin. The Martello Tower, which once appeared in James Joyce’s Novel Ulysses, has been repurposed into a museum in his honour.
The museum is completely free and is perfect for those who want to learn more about Dublin’s intertwined connection to literature. There are also frequent events that happen in the tower that offer lectures about James Joyce and Irish literature.
Explore the sea with Goat Boat Tours
– Media Credit: Goat Boat Tours Instagram
Website: https://goatboat.ie
Address: Coal Harbour, Harbour, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 87 989 0196
Price Range: €37.50
Operating Hours:
- Saturday to Wednesday:
- 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Thursday to Friday:
- 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
If you’re looking to experience life as a sailor, then Goat Boat Tours is the business for you. With this experience, you’ll be given a chance to ride a boat to explore the vast expanse of Dublin Bay with trained sailors.
They’ve got quite a few tours to choose from, but what we’d suggest is their Sunset Boat Tour. This tour offers a great view of Dublin during the Golden Hour, and is the best place to take pictures to remember your visit to Dublin.
Where to Eat When Heading to Seapoint Beach
There are quite a few different restaurants near Seapoint Beach. Whether you’re looking for a seaside view or staying dry on land, there’s definitely a good place for you to dine in our list.
Sushida Dun Laoghaire
– Media Credit: Sushida Dun Laoghaire Instagram
Website: https://sushida.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Sushida-JapaneseThai-100075734846442
Address: Unit 3, The Pavilion Complex, Marine Rd, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, A96 DT10, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 567 1688
Price Range: €20 – €30
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday:
- 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sushida is a beloved sushi restaurant in Dún Laoghaire. They serve some of the freshest and tastiest sushi in the area, and that’s to be expected considering they’re found near the harbour. They also offer outdoor seating, which is a great feature.
I found the place to be quite charming, offering a modern Japanese dining experience. We chose to dine outside, and I ordered their iconic Sushida roll. The cucumbers in it were refreshing, while the tempura, eel, and crab stick were quite filling and tasty.
Hartley’s
– Media Credit: Hartley’s Instagram
Website: http://hartleys.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100060692785771
Address: 1 Harbour Road, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 280 6767
Price Range: €20 – €30
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday:
- 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday:
- 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM
- Saturday:
- 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
- Sunday:
- 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Hartley’s offers a classic restaurant-style service for a reasonable price. They have great outdoor seating that provides a nice view of the harbour. I also quite liked the simplicity of their decor, as it was muted and subdued, perfect for a relaxing meal.
I ordered the monkfish scampi, which was fried nicely and wasn’t too oily, and came with a salsa. For my main, I chose fish and chips as I wasn’t too hungry. The fish was flaky, the chips were nicely golden, and they paired well with the tartare sauce.
Gourmet Food Parlour Dun Laoghaire
– Media Credit: Gourmet Food Parlour Dun Laoghaire Instagram
Website: https://www.gourmetfoodparlour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GourmetFoodParlour
Address: Unit 3, Harbour Square, Crofton Rd., Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 280 5670
Price Range: €10 – €20
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday:
- 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday:
- 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday:
- 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
The thing that stood out to me at Gourmet Food Parlour is that they serve gourmet food for a good bargain. I also fell in love with the restaurant’s rustic design. I especially liked the green walls—they were nice.
I can still vividly remember what I ordered here. I chose the butternut squash risotto, and it was incredible. The creamy butternut squash added a nice texture to the risotto, and it was accompanied by toasted pumpkin seeds, which provided a pleasant crunch to the overall dish.
Where to Stay When near Seapoint Beach
Whether you’re looking to sleep with a seaside view or stay at a nice and secure hotel in Dublin City Centre, we have a good selection of hotels for you to choose from.
Royal Marine Hotel
– Media Credit: Royal Marine Hotel Instagram
Website: https://www.royalmarine.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoyalMarineHotel
Address: Marine Rd, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, A96 K063, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 230 0030
Price Range: Starts at €169
The Royal Marine Hotel is simply grand. Originally known as Hayes Hotel, the site was purchased by William Dargan. He’s a prominent railway engineer who constructed Ireland’s first railway between Dublin and Kingstown.
Today, it continues to serve as a luxurious 4-star hotel. It’s massive, stretching up to 1000 acres of land, and is an amazing backdrop for photos. But the hotel isn’t just picturesque; it also offers quality services to its patrons.
Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel
– Media Credit: Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel Instagram
Website: https://www.radissonhotels.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RadissonBluStHelensHotelDublin/#
Address: Stillorgan Rd, Booterstown, Dublin, A94 V6W3, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 218 6000
Price Range: Starts at €257
I was honestly a bit sceptical about the Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel. The exterior is too clean and vibrant, and the photos on their website felt staged. However, when I arrived at the hotel, I was completely blown away by how accurately everything was portrayed in real life.
The hotel offers 151 rooms, 11 meeting and dining spaces, and is set on four acres of formal gardens. Guests can even enjoy award-winning Italian cuisine at the Talavera restaurant, relax in the Orangerie Bar, or host events in one of the elegant suites.
Rochestown Lodge Hotel
– Media Credit: Rochestown Lodge Hotel Instagram
Website: https://www.rochestownlodge.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rochestownlodgehotel
Address: 164 Rochestown Ave, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, A96 ETY8, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 285 3555
Price Range: Starts at €171
This one is quite the modern hotel. I find it rare to see the full range of modern amenities at hotels outside the city centre, but Rochestown Lodge Hotel delivered. They have a pool, a spa, a fitness centre, a sauna, and even a hot tub.
I actually found myself frequenting these leisure centres more than my own room. While each has an additional fee, they were all great experiences that were worth the extra few euros I had to spend.
Tips When Visiting Seapoint Beach
Now, before you go rushing towards Seapoint Beach and diving headfirst into the sea, I want you to hear out a few tips I have for you. While I can’t guarantee much, I can tell you that these tips will make a noticeable difference in your visit to the beach.
Stay Outside the City Centre
Dún Laoghaire is a great town to stay in when looking for hotels. While Dublin City Centre might pique your interest, you’ll find that booking a hotel outside the city centre will offer lower rates and a much more personalised experience with your stay.
Visit Sandycove Beach
If you’re with kids, it’s better to have them play at Sandycove Beach. While Seapoint is nice, there are dangerous rocks near the water that might injure your kid. Sandycove is much safer and has nice white sand, which kids enjoy playing with.
Always Bring Sunscreen
Yes, even if you’re visiting during Autumn or Winter. Dublin’s beaches are quite known to give you a nasty sunburn if you’re not careful. While the somewhat gloomy skies might trick you, you’d be better off covering yourself with a layer of sun protection.
Take Public Transport
While outside the city centre, Dún Laoghaire and its surrounding counties still offer great public transport that will take you everywhere in Dublin. We highly recommend using public transport, as it’s far cheaper than taxis or renting a car.